Seton Hall University will be presenting expert witnesses at tonight’s South Orange Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting in an ongoing effort to obtain variances for the former Marylawn Academy site at the corner of Montrose Avenue and Scotland Rd.
According to a report by Essex News Daily/The News-Record, the variances would allow Seton Hall to buy and convert the Marylawn of the Oranges Academy and the Graves House into academic and administrative buildings and construct a 202-space parking lot. The former school building would house the university’s graduate medical program.
The Zoning Board has heard testimony related to the proposed variances during three previous meetings — in May, June and July.
The Board of Directors of the West Montrose Neighborhood Association is asking residents to attend the meeting to oppose the plans.
In an email to association members, the WMNA Directors stated, “Seton Hall‘s plan turns this former modest school into a highly intensive University use which forever and fundamentally changes the character of our neighborhood. Specifically, the site will host over 500 students and 72 faculty and staff on a weekly basis including truck deliveries, a cafeteria, and associated traffic.”
The meeting will take place at SOPAC at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2014.
