Can Iona’s Dormitory Problems be Resolved?

Iona College voluntarily withdrew its proposed dormitory plan for Mayflower Avenue in a “collaborative planning process” which included a temporary plan to increase the occupancy levels of the present dorms. But this arbitrary agreement of New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson with the new Iona President, Dr. Joseph Nyre, was hotly contested. At the original meeting of Mayor Bramson (D) and Dr. Nyre a decision was made to withdraw the l0-story residence proposed in return for an agreement by the City to “adjust the local occupancy standards” for two years to less stringent New York State Dormitory Authority codes to allow more students to live in the present dorms. However, it is necessary for City Council to hold a public hearing before adopting new occupancy codes. The original occupancy levels relative to zoning were set in 2002. According to Chuck Strome, City Manager, this was an agreement of the City Council and Iona College at that time.
The neighborhoods which are in close proximity to the proposed dorm had no input on the proposed change. However, the two year window of this proposal was supported by some neighbors. Bob McCaffrey, President of the Mount Joy Neighborhood Association said he “supports the occupancy action only for the sake of the Iona students and their families to move forward with the new president. Yet more needs to be reviewed before the public hearing. I still do not support any dormitory of this size. I do support the temporary action (to increase dormitory occupancy limits) as long as it is done legally,”
Iona has apparently permitted these higher occupancy levels in the dormitories for several years. At the special meeting of the New Rochelle City Council on August 9, 2011, Councilman Lou Trangucci (R) asked how the presently allowed occupancy levels were established. Kathleen Gill, Legal Counsel, said it was in the college’s zoning agreement, and the college had increased the occupancy without the knowledge of the City. Councilman Al Tarantino(R) wanted to know how future certifications would be completed and was told there is no guarantee the college would follow the code. The Dormitory Authority inspects and certifies. Tarantino wanted to know whether other dormitory buildings in the city “are not over capacity.” City Manager Strome suggested asking for a copy of the certifications. He also promised to send materials to Council members prior to when they have to vote. Councilman Jared Rice (D) asked about the possibility of retail development in the area and Strome answered there were no restrictions for retail businesses in the area.
At this point Councilman Richard St. Paul asked for clarification. He suggested sending someone to inspect since Iona had admitted intentionally violating the codes and, if needed, issue them a violation. Gill said if a notice of violation was issued the College would be given 20 to 30 days to come into compliance and this would place the action after a City Council hearing in September. Strome did not agree with this suggestion of St. Paul because of the voluntary nature of the college’s disclosure that the dorms were not in compliance. The Mayor brought this to the staff’s attention and reached out to the neighborhoods to make this agreement. Further, Iona’s President has said he will not violate the zoning if Council decides not to allow the change.
St. Paul continued that students would be returning to college at the end of August and the dormitory would then be in non-compliance. Strome continued he could not recommend sending an enforcement officer until the Council decides that the new code is not satisfactory. St. Paul reiterated that at the press conference on August 2 it sounded like a deal was already made. The press release quoted Mayor Bramson on “this agreement” and announced a joint planning effort. According to Strome, everyone was invited to the press conference and some “chose not to attend.” Bramson said it was an “unusual situation” and felt the priority should be to strengthen the City’s relationship with Iona. Strome added, “If Iona did not come to us” they would not have put all the students in the dorm. Gill added: ” Iona did not want a violation.”
Legal aspects of the non-conformity of the occupancy codes for the dorms continued to be discussed. St. Paul asked if a moratorium could be placed on the zoning and and held until September 14 without a public hearing, but was discouraged by Gill’s answers. Council member Marianne Sussman (D) entered the conversation by saying that Iona came to the City in good faith and they should not be sent “vindictively” to court. It is a matter of good faith whether or not Iona receives this agreement from the Council. St. Paul wanted to know what the “joint planning effort” was and how it worked.
The Council hearing was set for September 14. After the meeting Councilman Jared Rice felt there was something in the works. He was hopeful something could be worked out with the agreement with the City, neighborhood, and Iona. Councilman Lou Trangucci felt the deal struck by the City not to enforce the zoning violations wasn’t agreed upon by the Mayor and the City Council. Council members found out at the Council meeting that the City was not going to enforce the violations. I understand the City wants to create good rapport with the college, but anything Iona wants should involve the neighborhood associations. Councilman Richard St. Paul said he disagreed with the administration because this is the wrong way to go about it.

In the August ll issue of the Westchester Herald