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Rome zoning board approves special-use permit to reopen former academy as pre-K under five-year school lease
Summary
The Rome Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to grant a special-use permit for 800 Cypress LLC to reopen the former Rome Catholic Academy as a pre-kindergarten and staff facility under a five-year lease with the Rome City School District; the board also issued a negative environmental declaration.
The Rome Zoning Board of Appeals on May 6 approved a special-use permit allowing 800 Cypress LLC to reopen the former Rome Catholic Academy at 800 Cypress Street as a pre-kindergarten and support space under a five-year lease with the Rome City School District.
Chair John Strobelo opened the meeting at about 6:30 p.m. and introduced item 26-005800, noting that Rome zoning code section 80-12.2 and table 80-12.1 allow primary and secondary schools in the C-1 district subject to a special-use permit. Vincent Feeci, who identified himself as the future owner of the property, told the board the building has been maintained since the academy closed and described modest interior renovations and life-safety upgrades to prepare the site for school use.
Feeci said: “We have entered, and and signed a lease for 5 years with the Rome City School District for them to repurpose the building to utilize their pre-k and a couple other small departments.” He outlined planned work including a new heating system, light classroom renovations, some bathroom additions, emergency-lighting and fire-alarm upgrades, security improvements, ADA modifications and a two-stop elevator for accessibility. Feeci said the building is about 65,000 square feet.
The board opened a public-comment period; no members of the public spoke. Chair Strobelo then noted correspondence from the Oneida County Department of Planning dated April 10, 2026, in which the county form marked “no recommendation” (signed by James J. Genovese, Second Commissioner of Planning).
Board member Joe Pascoletti moved for a negative declaration under the non‑coordinated environmental review and the motion was seconded. After brief discussion, the board conducted a roll-call vote on the special-use permit. Pascoletti said the proposal essentially returns the building “back to exactly what it was built for,” and several members voiced support. The board approved the special-use permit unanimously.
Chair Strobelo congratulated the applicant and advised coordination with Code Enforcement to ensure required permits are obtained before work proceeds. The panel adjourned shortly after the vote.
What happens next: The applicant and the Rome City School District will proceed with required permitting and code inspections; the transcript indicates coordination with Code Enforcement’s Mark Domenico but does not specify filing deadlines or permit timelines.
