Village Won't Amend Nyack College's Special Permit

SOUTH NYACK, NY — Nyack College, which announced in 2018 that it was moving to Manhattan and selling its properties in Rockland County, cannot have its special permit amended to allow residential development on half the main campus, village trustees said Tuesday.

The sale of the three Rockland properties, for which officials said in 2019 they were hoping to get up to $100 million, would help with the college's financial difficulties.

The South Nyack board voted Tuesday to reject the college's request to amend the special permit it received long ago. The area around it is zoned single-family residential and the special permit allows the 107-acre campus to be used for educational purposes.

In its request, the college said it wanted the permit changed to allow higher residential density on about half the main property on behalf of a prospective buyer. The college did not say who that buyer might be. The plan includes selling off existing houses on campus and converting existing buildings such as dormitories into multi-family housing, the Rockland Business Journal reported.

As residents agitated to know the identity of the prospective buyer, Mayor Bonnie Christian issued a statement Wednesday.

The Village of South Nyack, New York has been and remains a Village that follows the rule of law at all times. The Village Law in South Nyack as set forth in the Village Code does not allow a process to amend any Special Permit issued to Nyack College. When the applicable law was brought to the Village’s attention, the Village Board acted promptly in fairness to the Applicant. That was the basis for the Village Board of Trustees’ vote last evening and no other basis.
Village Laws allow the Village to look at any use of property in our Village. The Village has not and will not look improperly to whom may be the seller or purchaser of any property in the Village. The Village welcomes any and all land use applications that comply with all Laws, Codes, Rules and Regulations. As the Nyack College Application is no longer before the Village, there will be no further comment by any Village Official or representative.

The college relocated to Rockland County from Manhattan in 1897. In addition to the campus in South Nyack, its Alliance Theological Seminary has a 37-acre campus on Route 9W in Upper Nyack, and the college owns a 22-acre parcel in Orangetown where its president lived.

College officials re-established a city campus in 1997. The college bought space near Battery Park in 2016 and began creating dorms in Jersey City.

When the college made its announcement at the end of 2018, county and local officials immediately met to discuss a comprehensive approach to ensure appropriate development. SEE: Rockland Officials Meet On Nyack College Closing.

While village law does not allow a special permit to be amended, college officials could apply for a new special permit or request re-zoning, according to the Rockland Business Journal.