Westville Convent OK’d For 10 New Apts

A historic and long-vacant McKinley Avenue convent building may see its 20 ​“nuns’ cells” converted into 10 new apartments for empty nesters, thanks to the zoning board’s approval of a church-to-housing plan.

Local zoning commissioners took that vote Tuesday night during the latest regular monthly meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals, which was held online via Zoom.

The zoners voted unanimously to approve a ​“variance to allow for a projection to be located 1ft 3in from the side property line where a minimum of 5.6ft is required” and a ​“special exception to permit the conversion of an existing structure into 10 dwelling units” at 351 McKinley Ave. in Westville.

What that means is that a holding company controlled by local landlord Schneur Katz in partnership with local architect Fernando Pastor is one big step closer to converting the former St. Aedan’s convent into 10 new apartments. Tuesday’s approval came more than six years after a similar proposal by the same architect to build condos for senior populations fell through.

“Repurposing old buildings is kind of my specialty,” Pastor said Tuesday of his return to the application. He presented to the commissioners photos of past projects he has undertaken to convert historic buildings into unique dwellings, maintaining architectural features like lancet windows in modern apartments.

On Tuesday, the board first unanimously granted Pastor and Katz a special exception to convert the existing structure into 10 residences. They also ok’d a variance that allows for a ​“sunken patio” to be constructed adjacent to the basement of the building despite the fact that the patio will leave only one foot of room between the convent and the neighboring property line when roughly five feet is required.

Pastor explained that the patio is necessary for emergency vehicles to access the below-ground lower floor of the planned apartment building.

That lower floor is expected to hold just one three-bedroom apartment. The first floor, according to a sketch of the proposed lay-out, will feature three apartments, one of which will be built in the adjacent chapel; the second floor will contain two units; and the third floor plus attic area will house four duplex apartments. All the units range from one to three bedrooms.

The convent itself was built in 1957, according to Pastor, and is part of the St. Aedan Church campus. 

“From the front you won’t see any changes, other than new roofing,” he said. The back of the convent will see new parking spaces to accommodate residents.

Asked by this reporter on Wednesday who the target demographic is for these apartments, Pastor said he imagines the units as ​“high-end rentals” for older residents looking to ​“sell their large houses and still stay in the same neighborhood.”

BZA members and residents alike expressed support for the project Tuesday. ​“I think it’s a great project,” BZA Chair Mildred Melendez said. ​“I love the layout.”

Ben Trachten, a local attorney and Westville resident who was present at the meeting to represent several other applicants, pitched in that ​“this project has been kicking around for many years” and said that it ​“would be great for Westville to see some development in this area.”

“This project barely alters the outside and requires only a minor protection variance,” he said, asserting that the application showed ​“Fernando’s perseverance and skill.”

This project still must win site plan approval from the City Plan Commission before the developer can make this residential conversion a reality.