Mineola trustees approve special use permit for music school at 259 Mineola Boulevard, contingent on BZA approval

The Village of Mineola Board of Trustees voted to approve a special use permit for a private music school to locate at 259 Mineola Boulevard, with the board making its approval contingent on subsequent action by the Board of Zoning and Appeals.

The board granted the permit by roll call after hearing a presentation from the applicant and questions from trustees and residents. Deputy Mayor Sartori moved to approve the special permit, Trustee Casado seconded, and Trustees Clark, Sartori and Casado voted in favor. The board said conditions discussed at the hearing will be written into the decision.

Architect Jing Xie, of XC Engineering PC, presented the application and described the planned school as a private, instructor‑run music education facility. “This will be our third location,” Xie said, identifying the managing partner as Mr. Chen and noting the owners already operate two music schools in Brooklyn and Queens. Xie said the proposal calls for 16 classrooms, a 105‑seat recital hall in the basement and a small gathering space with grand pianos. She told the board the school will offer piano, strings, band and jazz instruction and will host recitals and short summer camps.

Xie said weekday hours will be roughly 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., with weekend hours from about 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and summer camp hours typically 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. She said early operations will draw teachers and guest artists from New York City and that, over time, the school expects local teachers to join the staff. "Our goal is really to embrace all the students… and create environments for them to play to each other," Xie said.

Trustees and staff pushed the applicants to address traffic and neighborhood impacts from recital events. The applicants said the site has roughly five parking spaces behind the building; they plan to reserve one for ADA parking and a couple for staff, to repave and relight the rear lot, and to operate a shuttle between the Mineola Long Island Rail Road station and the school for teachers who will commute by train. For larger recital nights, the applicants told the board they are prepared to provide valet service or shuttle arrangements for up to about 20 events per year and outlined an approach to encourage families to use nearby municipal lots after 6 p.m. (free or meter‑exempt at those hours) rather than neighborhood streets.

Deputy Mayor Sartori and other trustees praised the applicant for choosing Mineola and noted the village’s strong school music programs, but said they wanted guarantees on how peak‑attendance recitals would be managed. The board indicated it will require the conditions discussed — including a parking and traffic management plan for recital nights, a photometric lighting study for the rear lot, ADA parking compliance and coordination with the village building department on signs and renovations — before the special permit is finalized.

Mayor and staff also reminded the applicants that their approval from the Board of Trustees is contingent on receiving the necessary approvals from the Board of Zoning and Appeals; the trustees said any building, electrical, plumbing, demolition or sign permits must be processed through the building department.

During the public comment period, one resident, Jo (Josie) Gasan, asked whether lessons will be open to beginners and adults; the applicant said the program will serve all ages and skill levels. The PAL (Police Athletic League / Mineola Athletic Association) representative, speaking later in the meeting about a separate item, said the organization supports neighborhood‑serving businesses, but did not object to the school.

With the board’s approval subject to BZA action and the conditions the trustees specified, the applicant may proceed to the next local review steps: the Board of Zoning and Appeals hearing and the building‑permit process. The board also encouraged the applicant to join the Mineola Chamber of Commerce once approvals are secured.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve special use permit for a music school at 259 Mineola Boulevard — Mover: Deputy Mayor Sartori; Second: Trustee Casado; Vote: Trustee Clark — yes; Deputy Mayor Sartori — yes; Trustee Casado — yes; Outcome: approved (contingent on BZA approval).