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Planning Board approves Iona Prep field improvements with traffic controls and gating
Summary
Iona Preparatory School won site plan approval to replace temporary lights with permanent fixtures, add bleachers, ADA seating and concessions, and add 25 campus parking spaces (4 with EV chargers); approval requires a minimum 6‑foot gate on Stratton Road and 3–4 off‑duty police officers to reduce neighborhood overflow at home games.
The Planning Board approved Iona Preparatory School's application (PB1126) to upgrade its athletic field at 255 Wilmot Road, including a replacement turf and track, permanent field lighting, bleachers with ADA access, press box, restrooms and concessions. The applicant emphasized that the school's use and schedule for the field will not change; the improvements are intended to replace temporary, generator‑driven lighting and provide safer, code‑compliant spectator facilities.
Attorney Tony Joffrey and Brother Lito of Iona Prep said the project recovers roughly 30 parking spaces now occupied by temporary concessions and adds 25 permanent spaces elsewhere on campus; the added spaces will include four EV charging stations and at least one ADA space. The applicant committed to hire 3–4 off‑duty police officers for home football games to direct traffic and restrict on‑street parking, and to install a minimum 6‑foot gate across the Stratton Road driveway to prevent students from exiting through that point on game days.
Nearby residents raised concerns about existing overflow parking and pedestrian safety on adjacent streets. The board approved the project after conditions to ensure campus routing of event traffic, gate installation, and police enforcement for events. The board also issued a negative SEQRA declaration and declared lead agency before approving the site plan.
