Yeshivath Viznith Dkhal Torath Chaim and Khal Torath Chiam have reached an agreement with the village of Briarcliff Manor to dismiss litigation and explore alternative uses of the former Pace campus at 235 Elm Road.
Third-party developers are pursuing the purchase of the property for residential use, and the village has agreed to study its current zoning, review potential site plans, and consider the associated impacts and benefits of such redevelopment.
The Monsey-based congregation was seeking a special permit to bring 250 college-age men to the 37-acre Elm Road campus, an enrollment that would grow to 350 over a 10-year period. Pace closed its doors in 2015; the yeshiva bought the property for $11.5 million in 2021.
The Hasidic Jewish congregation filed a federal lawsuit against the village in 2023 claiming religious discrimination after two years of applications and hearings before several village boards that did not result in the requested approvals.
Neither party admitted any wrongdoing with the suspension of litigation, which will be dismissed without prejudice until such time as the parcel is sold to a new owner. Once a transfer is completed, the case will be permanently discontinued, according to the village.
The village’s legal team included Leo Dorfman of Sokoloff Stern and Village Counsel Joshua Subin of McCarthy Fingar. NYMIR, Briarcliff’s municipal insurance provider, covered the village’s legal costs,
“Re-envisioning the 235 Elm Road property (the former site of Pace University), one of the few remaining large parcels within walkable distance of Law Park and our Central Business District, offers an exciting opportunity to convert the property to a residential use that will more harmoniously sync with neighboring homes and create significant value as we continue to improve the entire Village,” reads a statement from the Briarcliff Manor Board of Trustees.
Mayor Steven Vescio stated: “The settlement of this matter prevents the costly expense of federal litigation. The Board of Trustees is pleased with this positive outcome for our community.”
Previous coverage:
Yeshiva Appeals after Briarcliff Denies Permit for former Pace Campus
Safety, Taxes, Crowds at Proposed Yeshiva Worry Briarcliff Residents
