Larchmont Manor couple seek to block unhistoric renovations

A couple who lives next to a storied house in Larchmont claims that the village is not ensuring that proposed renovations preserve the historic value of the property.

Alice Clark and Peter Schiff petitioned Westchester Supreme Court on Jan 4. to annul a site plan approved by the Larchmont Planning Board for the house at 1 Beach Ave.

“The project presents significant and extensive modifications to the appearance of this iconic and historic property that has remained largely unchanged for nearly 70 years,” the petition states. “Contrary to the requirements of the village code, the project does not preserve the scenic and historic value of the property.”

The Larchmont Manor subdivision — alongside Larchmont Manor Park and Horseshoe Harbor on Long Island Sound —  dates back to 1872, according to the petition.

The sprawling Tudor-style mansion was built in the early 1900s: 1901 by some accounts, 1905 by others. It has been featured in publications such as Architectural Digest, Ladies Home Journal and Life Magazine.

Past owners include automotive pioneer Charles B. King, and Broadway theater critic Walter Kerr and playwright Jean Kerr.

Brian and Teresa Anne Plancher bought the house for $5.2 million in 2022, according to a county property record. Last year, they submitted plans to the village planning board for interior and exterior renovations.

They proposed several building additions, a new terrace, a swimming pool, and a reconfigured driveway.

Clark and Schiff, who bought 5 Beach Ave for $4.1 million in 1998, objected to the Planchers’ plans.

They told village officials that the proposed driveway would encroach on their property, for example, and that they were concerned about traffic, safety and noise during construction.

They claim that the property already does not comply with the Larchmont zoning code and that many of the proposed features would require zoning variances. New third-story additions in various parts of the house, for instance, would allegedly violate height limitations.

The village code also requires the planning board to ensure that areas of scenic, ecological and historic value are preserved, the petition notes, “insofar as possible.”

On Oct. 17, the village building inspector told the planning board that the project complied with zoning regulations, the petition states. But the couple claims that the building inspector has not addressed concerns they have raised for months.

The planning board approved the site plan on Nov. 21, finding that the proposed work conforms with the zoning code.

Clark and Schiff accused the planning board of making an arbitrary and capricious determination unsupported by a rational basis. They also accuse the board of violating state law by not maintaining minutes of its public meetings.

They are demanding that the court reverse the site plan approval.

Village Administrator Justin Datino said Larchmont does not comment on pending litigation, “therefore has no comment on the matter at this time.”

Clark and Schiff are represented by White Plains attorney Jennifer L. Gray, of Keane & Beane PC.