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School Says Site Will Be Turned Into A Parking Lot
By Tina Traster
The Nyack School Board has been given the greenlight by district voters to move forward with the purchase of a commercial retail site adjacent to Nyack High School to convert to a parking lot.
Voters said “yes” by a vote of 840 to 131 for the board to spend $687,500 to purchase the 1.1-acre property at the base of the high school along Route 9W.
The former strip mall, once known for the Pie Lady’s former location, will be used for a parking lot to accommodate 200 parking spots. The property is located west of the intersection of Birchwood Avenue and North Highland Avenue within a mixed use residential and commercial area of Upper Nyack.
The sale of contract was contingent on voters allowing the district to move forward with a purchase. According to district records, the $687,500 cost will be covered from the district’s undesignated fund balance. The district also got approval to draw an additional $10,000 from the undesignated fund for the various purchase and closing costs.
The board has said “the parcel under consideration would provide much needed additional vehicle parking and open space for students, families and community members.”
Parking is especially challenging during plays, concerts, sporting events, and other after-school events.
“The school district has been eyeing the property for a long time,” said Nyack School Board President Michael Mark. The district faces constant challenge with providing adequate parking during sports events, graduations, or other instances when large crowds gather at the school.
The property goes off the tax rolls after the district finalizes the purchase with CAG Properties, LLC. The property’s current tax bill is about $40,600 annually, according to Clarkstown records. Of that amount, nearly $26,000 goes to the school district.
The district had adopted a “Negative Declaration” in connection with the proposed contract of sale after review of the Short Environmental Assessment Form dated November 3, 2020. The resolution authorizes the Board President to execute the Negative Declaration for the Proposed Action.
It is unclear as to whether more SEQRA review might be needed if the property is developed. The Short Environmental Assessment Form did not include a traffic study.