Greenburgh driving range could be home to artifacts
By REBECCA BAKER ERWIN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original Publication: March 20, 2006)
GREENBURGH — The state has ordered a housing developer to dig up the Westchester Golf Range because American Indian artifacts could be buried there.
Garson Development Co. of Bedford found no ancient artifacts during a round of archaeological testing this year. But the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation wants more testing, because maps show that American Indians may have lived on the site.
"We're protecting our historic resources for future generations," said Cathy Jimenez, spokeswoman for the historic preservation office. "Once they're gone, they're gone forever."
The area must be deemed free of artifacts before the development company can build Westgate Farms, a plan for 36 luxury homes restricted for people age 55 and older.
Jimenez said any sites listed as "archaeologically sensitive" required a detailed search and investigation before construction could begin.
The company has agreed to excavate up to 8 inches of topsoil in search of artifacts, such as pieces of arrowheads. If any are found, they will be cataloged and displayed on-site and in the Greenburgh Public Library.
Jeffrey Garson, one of the company's partners, said the golf range would close as soon as the town accepts a plan to prevent erosion during the excavation. Garson bought the the 7-acre driving range for $10.5 million in 2004.
Golfers interviewed last week said they wished the driving range could stay open but were resigned to the fact that their days of hitting buckets of balls there were numbered.
"It's private property; they can do what they like," said Vince Curry of Somers, a computer programmer who visits the driving range on his way home from work. "It's terrible, but what are you going to do?"
Meanwhile, Garson is seeking special legislation to "cluster" the 2,800-square-foot homes around a central area, leaving landscaped open space along Dobbs Ferry Road. The homes would start at $1.2 million and would be exclusively for "empty nesters" and childless couples, Garson said.
If the town does not approve the cluster plan, Garson said, he would build the 36 homes on single lots and open them up to buyers of all ages.
The Vizioli family has owned the property since the 1930s, when the family farmed the land. In 1948, the Viziolis converted the farm into a driving range.
The family waged a fierce public battle against a takeover bid by the town of Greenburgh, which had wanted the site for a municipal complex. The town abandoned its acquisition plans in July 2002.
Town Hall is now in an office building at 177 Hillside Ave. and plans are under way for a $19.9 million expansion and renovation of the existing library on Knollwood Road.