Gary Ederer is currently a Hen Island stockholder, board member and cottage owner. In 2008, Mr. Ederer purchased a cottage on Hen Island and began to dismantle it without receiving necessary building permits. After receiving complaints from Ray Tartaglione, a stop work order from the Rye Building Department was issued.

Mr. Ederer was referred to the Rye Zoning Board of Appeals to apply for a use variance. With the help of local attorney Anthony Piscionere (leading the City of Rye Zoning Board for that meeting only), Mr. Ederer managed to have the Zoning Board change the requirement from a ‘use variance’ to an ‘area variance’ despite objections of then Building Inspector Vincent Tamburro.

In full view of the entire Zoning Board of Appeals, the granting of the variance by the Zoning Board served as an official determination that there was no threat to public safety or the environment.

As a result, Mr. Ederer was allowed to enlarge and construct a home on Hen Island without any approvals as required from the Westchester County Health Department for sewage treatment or potable water.