FHGC Board Update

The 2026 Forest Hills Gardens Corporation board has already been busy dealing with issues big and small, including all of the snow!. One of its primary goals is to keep neighbors informed of its progress and the issues it faces along the way.

Legal Update

Your votes in the December election made it clear that a majority of residents prefer the Corporation explore settlement of the concert lawsuits, which, if successful, will enable the Board to refocus its energies and budget on the other significant issues that affect our community. The prior Board said that its goal was not to stop concerts, but rather, to find an appropriate balance. This Board agrees, and with that in mind, the Law Committee along with the Board has devised a plan, with a goal to find balance, while also serving our overall mission to maintain and protect Forest Hills Gardens as a whole.

As a first step, the Board unanimously voted to engage the Hon. (Ret.) Noel Hillman to act as special settlement counsel, and represent the Corporation’s interests in settlement discussions. Judge Hillman is currently a partner at the firm FBT Gibbons. Before that, he served for 18 years as a United States District Judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Judge Hillman has extensive experience not only as a federal judge, but also as a mediator, arbitrator and trial lawyer. Ironically, he is also a direct descendant of Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., about whom he has always taken a special interest, so he understands our unique neighborhood and its concerns very well.

The Board has engaged the law firm of Schneider Buchel LLP to provide the Corporation with governance advice. Schneider Buchel is the preeminent law firm in New York exclusively devoted to community association law - the Fieldston community in the Bronx is one of their clients. , 

The Board is also taking a closer look at the federal lawsuit filed late last year against the City of New York. Many have expressed concerns about that case. The Law Committee and the Board share those concerns. We are therefore looking to assure that a positive and productive working relationship with the NYPD and the City be of primary importance and are focused on making that happen. 

Issues of attorney-client privilege surround these important issues, limiting what more we can say publicly. Be assured that the Board and the Law Committee have heard all voices, and are working hard to find solutions. Scheduling for the 2026 concert season is underway, so it is possible that a settlement, if one can even be reached, might not take full effect until next year. Please email the board with any comments, questions or concerns at info@fhgc.org. We will endeavor to provide as much insight as circumstances permit and apologize in advance if we are unable to answer specific questions.

Architecture

The Board voted to increase the fees paid for expanding square footage on homes. This change only impacts projects that add square footage (e.g., building a garage or a sunroom) and does not impact the typical architectural approval projects (e.g., replacing windows, repaving of driveways, etc.).

Board Resignations

The Board notes that Kayur Patel, Stephen Thomas, and Matthew Mandell have recently resigned from their positions on the Board. The Board thanks these members for their longstanding dedication to this community and wishes them well.