One board member was especially impressed how "the structure dances within and around the confines of the Special Natural Area District."

By Manny Grossman

The Monday approval of a construction project in Fieldston proves the new landmark designation will ensure new developments "fit in" to the leafy community, community board members say.

At the boards Land Use meeting Monday, David Mann, whose parents own a home on 4550 Livingston Ave., submitted an application to build a home for his wife and three children on the 34,000- square-foot property. The fairly steep contours and rock outcroppings made it difficult to design the house without illegally altering the property.

Mr. Mann hired architect Harry Kendall, of BKSK architects to draw up a design that would meet both historic landmark and the Special Natural Area District zoning laws.

On Monday, Mr. Kendall presented the blueprints to the board and promised to keep most of the natural features of the property. The house will be built within the slope with no rock outcroppings removed. The plan calls for keeping 77 percent of the trees, well above the 51 percent tree retention limit.

A bridge-style driveway into the garage will enable the house to be set into the natural slope of the property without leveling the ground for car access. Architecturally, the house was designed in an English Colonial style very similar to Mr. Mann's parents' house.

Board members, some of whom were skeptical about the presentation before it was made, were won over in the end. Land Use chairman Charles Moerdler said that in all of his years on the board, he had "never seen a more thorough and professional presentation."

When chairman Tony Cassino initially saw the site a week ago, he was doubtful the architect could present a plan that kept the natural features of the area. At the conclusion of the presentation, he noted that although some of the features will be removed, "If the SNAD and Landmarks designation were not in place, there would be nothing to stop a McMansion from being built."

Board member Brad Trebach was especially impressed how "the structure dances within and around the confines of SNAD."

At the same meeting, an application for a variance to build two houses on the former Montefiore estate at 626 and 630 West 254th St. was adjourned without a vote pending the applicant's submission of a new plan.

Mr. Moerdler pointed out that there was no mention of the old barn on the property, which would have to be torn down. "It could possibly be a landmark," he said.