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Westchester Day School seeks rehearing to legalize taller security fencing; board presses for surveys and measurements
Summary
At a rehearing of a 2024 variance, Westchester Day School asked the board to legalize sections of 8‑ft and 11‑ft tall fencing and to permit new 8‑ft sections totaling roughly 300 linear feet; the board asked for precise survey dimensions and as‑built confirmation before any permit is issued.
Representing Westchester Religious Institute and Westchester Day School, attorney Jessica Zaelin told the board the application is a rehearing of a 2024 variance approval and that the applicant seeks area variances to legalize and extend security fencing around the campus.
Zaelin outlined the request: 280 linear feet of new 8‑ft fence to close a gap along Skibo Lane, 18 linear feet to close another small gap, 22 linear feet at a loading‑dock area to replace a 5‑ft chain link fence, and a request to legalize an existing 11‑ft tall fence atop a roughly 3‑ft stone wall where 6‑ft fencing is typically permitted. She said the 69 linear feet of 11‑ft fencing were already installed and the applicant seeks legalization of that condition.
Board members focused on measurements and evidence. Several members could not find a single compiled survey that shows the full 280‑ft red section; the applicant’s team said some lengths were taken as field measurements with a measuring wheel and that the as‑built survey did not cover portions where no fence existed previously. Board members asked that the applicant confirm dimensions with the building inspector before any building permit is granted and that a stamped as‑built survey be provided for the sections to be legalized.
Counsel and the applicant agreed the matter had been processed as a rehearing; counsel noted that the board’s prior record and testimony are part of the rehearing file. Given the security rationale the applicant cited (including a letter of no‑objection from a neighboring club), the applicant asked for prompt consideration. The board closed the hearing so it may consider the rehearing record and the new submissions.
Next steps: the applicant will provide clarified survey information and staff will review the as‑built evidence for the sections of fence that have already been installed; the board will then determine whether the variances should be granted or modified.
