Parlez-Vous Conflict in Mamaroneck?

Conflicting views about a potential move by the of New York to a location in the village’s industrial zone roiled the Village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees meeting last night. Despite passionate arguments delivered on both sides, decorum prevailed. Yet, clearly, the temporary zoning process will require the board to weigh in on a potentially contentious decision.

During a 65-minute public hearing, Michael Zarin, attorney for the school, said that the institution, which currently has campuses in Larchmont, Mamaroneck and Scarsdale, seeks to move 121 high school seniors and juniors, along with 16 faculty members, from 145 New St. into buildings at 300 Waverly Ave. and 525 Fenimore Rd. Presumably, the school will fill the empty classrooms at the New Street location with more freshmen and sophomores.

The move would require a zoning text amendment that would last for three years with one renewal allowed. The school has announced its intention to find one a site in Westchester to consolidate all of its campuses, including a controversial location in White Plains. The school currently rents office space at 525 Fenimore Rd., where it proposes to add a student lounge, and would put six classrooms in 300 Waverly Ave.

The plans do not adversely affect traffic conditions at Fenimore Road, Waverly and Hoyt Avenues, Zarin said, and school representatives have met with local business owners to alleviate their concerns.

Though zoned for industrial use, the area has, “already changed over the years into what I describe as flex use,” he said. Many students at the boxing and music schools (which is vacating the premises in July according to statements made at the hearing) use the safe sidewalk network.

The impact would not exacerbate flooding or put undue stress on the police or fire departments, said Zarin. If heavy rains were forecast, classes would be canceled.

“We’re doing this with our eyes open, knowing the conditions on the site,” he said.

Andrew Spatz, who owns property in the industrial zone, spoke against the measure, claiming the proposed use is incompatible with adjoining properties, especially since two active freight tracks run trains into the area ten feet away from the entrance to the school, causing traffic gridlock at the intersection.  Calling the area the “Wild Wild West” along Waverly Avenue, Spatz pointed out that trucks double and triple park to unload on an active roadway.

Though temporary, Spatz argued, the zoning classification would set a bad precedent, and the board should not rush into any decisions.

“The measure is too significant to be pushed and rushed without knowing all the facts,” he said.

Echoing Spatz’s concerns, Tom Zimmerman, president of on 307 Hoyt Ave., contended that the trains represent a hazard even when they are wedged between his building, which fronts Hoyt Avenue and 300 Waverly Ave.

Despite his best efforts to prevent it, kids still attempt to break into the property to play on the train cars, he said, adding that noise generated by his business—an ongoing, shrill sound as a vacuum pulls pellets from railcars—would also not be conducive to learning.

The operation—which makes packaging and other goods for John Deere, Maybelline, L’Oreal, Crayola and the pharmaceutical industry—runs 300 horsepower motors around the clock and processes 40 million pounds of plastic a year.

, a Mamaroneck-based attorney for the property owners, took the podium to support the measure, noting that the area is misrepresented, since it combines residential, industrial and educational uses.

With trains an infrequent presence—currently only rolling in at 10:30 p.m. and 1 a.m., two to three times a month—they would never conflict with the school’s hours of operation.

The proposal still requires Zoning Board consideration along with a review by the Harbor Coastal Zoning Management (HCZM) Commission. The Board of Trustees adjourned the matter and kept the issue open. Mayor Norm Rosenblum said that he sees both sides, which could indicate a more deliberative approach by the village.

Despite the possibility for a contentious process, both sides to the dispute seemed to get along well as they fraternized outside the meeting room after the board moved on to other agenda items.