The entity Vernon Realty Holdings LLC has submitted a plan to Mount Vernon to convert the former Mount Carmel School at 19 S. Tenth Ave. into an apartment building. Shahin Badaly of Badaly & Badaly Architects in Mount Vernon and Vernon Realty Holdings’ agent Jack Mandelbaum have been before the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) seeking several use and area variances that are necessary for the project to proceed.
The building would be reconfigured to provide 20 apartments. A use variance is required to change the existing lot usage from a school to a multifamily apartment complex and to allow for the number of units to be provided in the building. Other variances that are needed include for lot area per dwelling unit and for the required number of parking spaces. Mount Vernon requires two parking spaces per dwelling unit, for a total of 40 spaces. The applicant wants to provide no on-site parking.
Jack Addesso, the attorney for the owner, had explained to the ZBA that the school building was erected in 1925 and was closed in 1990. It has remained vacant ever since. He explained that since many schools are closed, it makes sense to convert them to residential properties. Addesso also said that a study of traffic and parking was being undertaken, which should address the parking situation in the area.
Architect Badaly had told the ZBA that while the first-floor space is very large, it is not suitable to be converted for use as parking spaces. He said that the space will be dedicated to a gym, storage space, a party room, and office space and is tentatively outlined as a tenant amenities room.
Badaly explained that they do not want to change the windows, therefore the apartments will remain the same size as the former classrooms. He said that the market rate for a one-bedroom likely would be about $1,814 and the rent for a studio would be $1,648. He said that the anticipated rental pricing is in line with other properties in the area.
