By MICHAEL LISI, Special to the Times Union First published: Sunday, April 27, 2008
West Hill is an unusual neighborhood -- and that's a good thing.
The subdivision, located off of Putnam Road about two miles from the Rotterdam Square Mall, is fronted by nearly 200 acres of pristine, undeveloped land, which several Realtors refer to as "forever wild." Certainly, nothing in the world of real estate is forever, but that said, it's a pretty ride when you enter West Hill. For starters, you're greeted with a wide expanse of open land, with neatly cropped grass. Tennis courts and a small pond with a log cabin sit off to the side, making the entrance to West Hill seem more like that of a state campground than a subdivision. In fact, half of Juniper Drive -- the only road leading in and out of West Hill -- is undeveloped. Driving through West Hill is as interesting as driving into it. The neighborhood is a post-World War II subdivision; construction started in 1948. But unlike many post-war developments, West Hill homes are built on sprawling lots an acre or more in size. The types of houses there are varied and unique; you'll find contemporaries -- some in Art-Deco style -- colonials, ranches and Cape Cod homes in West Hill. There's plenty of room between houses thanks to the large lots they sit on, an unusual feature in a development where houses are selling from the low $220,000s to the high $250,000s. And don't forget the view. Many homes in West Hill, especially those along Terrace Road, offer stunning views of the Helderberg Mountains. On a clear day, you can see parts of Massachusetts and Vermont. While West Hill is an aging neighborhood -- some homes are badly in need of paint and other repairs -- most homes are cared for and cute, featuring modest landscaping and lots with towering pine and oak trees. There is no shortage of backyard swing sets and driveway basketball courts for kids in the neighborhood to play with. Schools Children living in West Hill are enrolled in the Schalmont Central School District, attending the Mariaville Elementary School, the Schalmont Middle School and Schalmont High School. According to the 2005-06 state Report Card on the Schools, the district had an enrollment of 2,107 in the 2005-06 school year. The high school had 716 students enrolled that year, with 172 seniors. In 2005-06, 89 percent of graduating seniors earned a Regents diploma. Commuting West Hill is bordered by Gordon Road (County Route 56) to the north, Putnam Road (County Route 54) to the south, Gordon Road and Sylvia Lane to the east, and the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) to the west. The development is about a 10-minute drive to Interstate 890 at Exit 2A. Putnam Road east leads to West Campbell Road (County Route 337), leading to the I-890 on-ramp, situated about a mile northeast of the Rotterdam Square Mall. I-890 provides access to the Thruway and leads east to State Route 7. Shopping and recreationConvenience stores, as well as a selection of restaurants, retail shops and other outlets can be found along Campbell Road. The Rotterdam Square Mall is on Campbell Road, just across the street from the start of Putnam Road. The closest grocery store is about a 15-minute drive. Tennis courts and a pond are located off of Juniper Drive. The area outside the development is like a park, with plenty of room to picnic, hike, fly kites and play ball. The New York State Canal Lock 8 Park is located on Rice Road. The park provides boat access to the Mohawk River. There is also a biking and hiking trail and places to fish and picnic. The town's Plotter Kill Nature Preserve is about a 20-minute car ride away. The preserve, which has parking areas on Mariaville Road (County Route 159) and Coplon Road, offers three waterfalls -- the Upper Falls, the Lower Falls, and the Rynex Creek Falls. There is a gorge and well-maintained hiking trails. Prices A 1,612-square-foot ranch style home with four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms at 338 Terrace Road is selling for $229,900. Built 60 years ago, the house has a full, finished basement, a one-car garage, a wrap-around deck, central air, a fireplace, and hardwood floors. A 2,800-square-foot custom home with four bedrooms and two bathrooms at 523 Terrace Road is on the market for $259,900. Built in 1958, the house has a two-car garage, a four-season room, an in-ground pool, a walk-out basement and a fireplace. Taxes Currently, homeowners pay $371.27 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for town, Schenectady County and special district property taxes; Rotterdam assesses property at about 3 percent of actual market value. That will change once the town completes a property revaluation that will assess properties at full value; new tax rates will be available in January. The school property tax rate for 2007-08 is $17.22; that number is based on the town's full value reassessment. Last year's tax rate, calculated at 3 percent of actual market value, was $614.10 per 1,000. Using calculations based on the town's current assessment rate, taxes on a home valued at $250,000 are approximately $7,390. For more information about Rotterdam's revaluation project, log onto the town's reassessment Web site http://www.rotterdamassessments.com. Michael Lisi is a freelance writer from Rotterdam and a frequent contributor to the Times Union.
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