Purpose:
This is a voluntary, neighbor-supported fundraising effort intended to help make possible a well-informed, community-centered review of the Special Use Permit application for 350 North Highland Avenue. It reflects a shared commitment to stewardship, civic engagement, and thoughtful decision-making—so that Upper Nyack land-use decisions are guided by care, expertise, and transparency.
This effort is independently supported by residents of Upper Nyack and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any municipal entity. Funds contributed are intended to be applied in good faith toward retaining qualified professionals, preparing materials, and other resources helpful to a community-oriented review.
Current Status:
An application has been submitted for a Special Use Permit to operate a private 440-student school (serving pre-school through 8th grade) with 90 staff at 350 North Highland Avenue. The property formerly housed a headquarters and then Alliance Seminary, a small, low-impact institution serving adult students with a self-contained campus model that produced minimal daily traffic.
The proposed school represents a notable change in both scale and impact: it may generate a significant increase in vehicle trips per day—including buses, vans, carpools, and staff vehicles—adding high volumes of daily traffic to a narrow, winding corridor already challenged by limited sight lines and sidewalks. As a major road, Route 9W carries the greatest amount of traffic in Upper Nyack, has the highest speed limit in the Village, is home to Nyack Hospital, and serves as the primary route to and through the Route 9W Corridor, the Village’s largest business district.
There is also an ongoing difference of opinion among professional parties and involved entities regarding the project’s SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) classification status—specifically, whether the current designation appropriately reflects the scope and potential impacts of the proposed use. Questions have also been raised about the adequacy of emergency access and egress plans for the site, including whether the current layout provides sufficient routes for safe and timely evacuation or emergency response.
Why This Matters to Upper Nyack:
Building on these concerns, the anticipated increase in traffic on Route 9W and nearby residential streets raises significant public-health and safety questions—given the corridor’s inadequate sidewalks, limited sight lines, its proximity to Nyack High School, and the potential concentration of young children on a site not originally designed for daily school operations.
According to Village Code §9.5.3: “Operations in connection with any Special Permit Use shall not be more objectionable to nearby properties by reason of noise, traffic, airborne particulate matter; odors; fumes, vibration or other characteristics than would be the operations of permitted uses not requiring a Special Use Permit.”
Taken together, these factors contribute to widespread concern that the scale of the proposed use could create conditions—such as increased traffic congestion, elevated crash risk, and delayed emergency access—that may appear inconsistent with community standards.
How You Can Help – A Call to Action:
Contribute – Donate and share this GoFundMe fundraiser with friends, neighbors, and community members. Every contribution helps. Larger gifts enable us to cover significant professional costs more quickly, and small donations—especially when many people give—show strong, broad-based community support. All amounts are welcomed and valued.
Stay Informed – Learn about the proposed project, how the Special Use Permit process works, and the relevant zoning and planning guidelines. See: https://www.uppernyack-ny.us/planning-board
Use of Funds:
We are committed to transparency in how community contributions are spent. Funds raised are intended to go toward professional services and related resources needed for a thorough review.