Petition to Oppose the Expansion of the Iona University Baseball Field at the Bronxville–Eastchester Campus

To: Village of Bronxville Planning and Zoning Board

Mayor Mary Marvin

Village Administrator and Trustees

From: Concerned Residents of the Neighborhood Adjacent to 182 White Plains Road

We, the undersigned residents of the neighborhood directly surrounding and behind the Iona University campus, write to express our strong opposition to the proposed expansion of Iona’s baseball field located at 182 White Plains Road. While we appreciate the university’s presence in our community, the current proposal—submitted as part of an effort to bring the facility to NCAA Division I standards—raises serious concerns related to safety, infrastructure capacity, environmental impact, and compliance with Village zoning codes.

Our concerns are not speculative; they are substantiated by Iona’s own submission materials, including the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) dated April 25, 2025, and the Kellard Sessions Planning Review dated May 22, 2025. We respectfully urge the Village Planning Board to withhold approval unless and until a complete, transparent, and community-engaged evaluation is conducted.

Key Concerns:

1. Stormwater Runoff and Flooding (§310-30.B)
   • The project involves over 3.6 acres of site disturbance and substantial new impervious surfaces.
   • The SWPPP proposes connecting stormwater infrastructure to the existing municipal system but does not confirm whether the downstream system can handle the increased volume.
   • Homes to the east and southeast, especially on and around North Road, are downslope and already experience frequent flooding during heavy rains.
   • Under §310-30.B of the zoning code, all runoff must be controlled to prevent adverse impact on Village systems or adjacent properties. The current plan does not guarantee this standard is met.
   • Long-term maintenance and monitoring of stormwater systems—critical to their effectiveness—are insufficiently detailed in the plan.
2. Traffic and Parking Spillover (§310-30.A(3))
   • Increased usage of the field for games and practices will generate significant traffic along Route 22 and the surrounding residential roads.
   • The Kellard Sessions Review indicates the need for referral to the NYSDOT—an acknowledgment that traffic implications are serious.
   • The current proposal does not include any new structured parking and will inevitably result in overflow and illegal parking in residential areas, in conflict with §310-30.A(3) which mandates that vehicular access, circulation, and parking must not negatively affect nearby neighborhoods.
3. Pedestrian Safety
   • The increased traffic and lack of dedicated pedestrian infrastructure raise serious concerns, especially for children, seniors, and school commuters.
   • Over the past five years, multiple pedestrian-involved vehicle accidents have occurred across Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe, including fatalities.
   • These patterns highlight the urgent need for safer crossings, traffic calming, and development designs that prioritize pedestrian protection—none of which are adequately addressed in the current proposal.
4. Noise and Light Pollution (§310-30.A(4))
   • The addition of stadium-style lighting, public address systems, and extended field usage—potentially during evenings, weekends, and tournaments—will introduce sustained noise and light.
   • The 2020 Village Comprehensive Plan cited in the Kellard Review explicitly advises that lighting improvements must be balanced against neighborhood impact.
   • The project risks violating §310-30.A(4) by exposing adjacent homes to excessive light and noise, degrading their peaceful enjoyment and property value.
5. Environmental and Topographic Impacts (§310-30.A(1))
   • The project proposes changes to land contours, tree cover, and surface permeability.
   • The zoning code (§310-30.A(1)) calls for the protection of unique landforms, existing groundwater courses, and significant topography—all of which are at risk in this plan.
   • The removal of green space also reduces the area’s ability to naturally absorb rainwater, further worsening downstream flood conditions.
6. Inadequate Community Engagement
   • Despite the magnitude of this project, residents were not formally notified or invited to review initial plans before submission.
   • Given the site’s proximity to quiet, family neighborhoods, this lack of communication undermines public trust and violates the spirit of participatory planning.

Summary of Potential Zoning Code Violations:

• §310-30.A(1) – Environmental protection of land, aquifers, and topography
• §310-30.A(3) – Safe vehicular/pedestrian circulation and avoidance of residential traffic spillover
• §310-30.A(4) – Noise, light, and sight-line impacts on neighboring homes
• §310-30.B – Control of drainage to avoid adverse flooding or system burden

We Respectfully Request:

1. That the Planning Board withhold approval pending:
   • A third-party hydrology and drainage review
   • A comprehensive traffic and parking impact study
   • A pedestrian safety assessment, including potential infrastructure improvements
   • Clear, enforceable long-term maintenance requirements for any stormwater infrastructure
2. That a public town hall meeting be held before final approvals to allow meaningful community input
3. That the university revise or scale back the proposal to meet the standards of the zoning code and protect the surrounding neighborhood

This project may serve institutional goals, but it would place a disproportionate and enduring burden on the families who live directly adjacent to the site. We urge the Village to uphold its zoning standards and put the safety, livability, and environmental resilience of our community first.

Sincerely,

Affected Neighbors from the Village of Bronxville