Board keeps Parkgate driveway restriction; denies Sacred Foundation amendment

The Zoning Board on Aug. 25 denied an amendment to a previously approved religious-use resolution for the Sacred Foundation at 388 Park Ave, rejecting a request to remove a permanent physical restriction on the Parkgate Drive entrance. Dozens of residents within 200 feet testified during the public portion, repeatedly citing safety risks, near-collisions, and gridlock caused by drivers using the northern entrance improperly. Resident Annamarie Stotka told the board: "By granting this request, the board knowingly assumes a severe liability risk by permitted documented hazardous conditions to persist."

Applicant counsel David Persaud acknowledged community concerns but said the Sacred Foundation is a tenant occupying a small portion of a larger building and proposed operational mitigations: permanent signage, internal controls, and a six-month board look-back to ensure compliance. Persaud told the board the landlord would not agree to permanently close the driveway because that access is required for other permitted uses under a 1982 agreement. The board majority concluded that the safety basis for condition 3(a) remained and voted to deny the requested amendment.

The denial preserves the original safety condition. The board recorded a roll-call vote and provided no further amendments—residents and the applicant were advised to pursue landlord/HOA channels for additional remedial measures beyond the board's authority.