Molloy tries for variance

Residents driving along Hempstead Avenue have likely noticed the large, bright yellow signs on a few lawns on homes across from Molloy College, announcing that Molloy is applying for a variance for those homes at an upcoming Zoning Board meeting.

The houses are home to the offices of the philosophy, sociology and theology departments of the school, as well as Molloy’s Alumni Association. The college is applying for a variance so that it doesn’t have to add parking to those homes.

“We want to maintain the residential feel,” said Ken Young, the school’s director of public relations.

There are eight people who work in the school’s alumni office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. But the other offices are used by professors sporadically. There could be one to five people using those offices at any given time during the school year, depending on classes and scheduling. From May to September, they are barely used at all.

“There’s no major issue here,” said Ed Thompson, the vice president for advancement at Molloy. “This has been going on for some years.”

Since the homes are being used as offices, Town of Hempstead zoning law says that the college has to add parking (the area across the street from the school is outside the boundaries of the Village of Rockville Centre). But Molloy wants to keep the feel of the community.

The employees in the homes currently use the driveways for parking, as well as parking in the street.

“It’s a pretty big sign that makes it look like a big deal,” Thompson said, “but it’s a standard variance and I don’t think it’s a real big deal.”

The hearing is scheduled for July 31 at 2 p.m. at Town Hall, located at 1 Washington Street in Hempstead. The public will have an opportunity to be heard.