What are the next steps in getting Westbrook Preparatory School Approved?

SCO Family Services is the agency that seeks to rent the convent building from Saint Brigid's Parish. They have been working with the Village of Westbury to arrange for the proper permissions to proceed. They have met with the Planning Board, the Building Department and appeared before the Board of Zoning Appeals.

They are applying to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a "change of use" permission so the Convent Building can be used for a school on Monday, July 28th at 7:30pm at a hearing at Westbury Middle School.

Some questions about the next steps

1. Is SCO seeking a Zoning change? -- such a change will permanently change what the Convent building can be used for.
No. SCO is not seeking a Zoning change, just a use change that will be effect as long as the building is used for no more than 24 students with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome.

2. Why does the Zoning Board have to vote on this proposal? There are already two schools -- one on either side of the Convent building. And the neighborhood is zoned "residential." Should it make a difference that there will be 24 students added to this mix?
It turns out that according to existing code, if there is a combination of a school and a residence, the Board must vote whether to accept this use, even though it's only 24 children.

3. How have Westbury residents been involved in this process?
Formal notice was required to be sent to residents living within 200 feet of the building. Some residents participated in the first Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on May 19th.
Saint Brigid's Parish continues to publish information in its weekly bulletin and online (where you are reading this right now).
SCO held two further information sessions for parents of St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope School and for the whole community so that residents could ask questions about the proposed Westbrook Preparatory School and the 24 students who would be attending.

4. Where can I find out about what happened at this meeting?
Read the Westbury Times article in the July 4th edition of the paper.
Click here to read it online: http://www.antonnews.com/westburytimes/2008/07/04/news/

5. I have still have some questions about the proposal. Where can I get them answered?
If you have questions about the school, contact Susan Moran at SCO Family Services:
(631) 273-2095 or scmoran@sco.org
If you have questions about St. Brigid's parish, contact parish@saintbrigid.net

6. I've had all my questions answered and I'd like to support this use of the Convent Building. What can I do?
Plan on attending the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Monday, July 28th at 7:30pm at Westbury Middle School to show community support for this proposal.

Some important Questions and Answers about Asperger Syndrome and Autism
Some important Questions and Answers about the Proposed School