Iona seeks site-plan approval for Bronxville baseball field; board continues review

Iona University asked the Bronxville Planning Board to permit site-plan changes to its baseball field at 182 White Plains Road, presenting studies on stormwater, sound, safety and traffic but receiving substantial public concern and technical questions from village consultants.

Mark Weingarten, the universitys counsel, told the board the proposal includes stormwater improvements that would "decrease the runoff to Crawford Street approximately 70% in the 1, 10, and 100 year storm events," added 40-foot netting in the outfield and other protections for line drives, and proposed a PA system limited to roughly 20 games. He said the university expects a need of 435 parking spaces for game days and that 93 spaces are available during events. Weingarten also said Iona seeks a negative declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) to conclude the environmental review so it can proceed to the Zoning Board of Appeals for necessary variances.

Board members and consultants asked for additional engineering detail: KSCJ asked for a formal cut-and-fill analysis (sitewide rock removal and fill tabulation), explicit as-built and landscape coordination plans, a definitive construction schedule tied to a hired contractor, and confirmation of pretreatment volumes to meet New York State stormwater design standards. The board did not vote; the application will return for further review after the applicant supplies additional technical details and responds to the conservatorys operational concerns.