The Gas Station:

It was purchased in June by owners who wish to remain unknown. They appeared before the Zoning Board Wednesday, January 17 to request a variance for a gravel driveway. (The town is requiring pavement.) Wanting gravel in the parking lot is a good thing! The community, in the past, has expressed a strong desire to continue the use of gravel to retain the station's "rural" charm. If the owners don't win the variance, then the entire parking lot will be required to be paved.

The Palisades School:

The South Orangetown School District is in the process of having four properties assessed to learn their value:

• The Cowboy fields in Piermont (behind TZ Elementary school)
• The Orangeburg Elementary school on Western Highway (rented out to Dominican College)
• The play ground area on Rt 303 and Oak Tree Road (behind Tappan Grammar Condominiums)
  
• The Palisades School on Oak Tree Road.
  

There is strong indication that the district is planning on selling one of these properties. And certain board members have stated that the Palisades School is "8+ acres of highly desirable property." At a recent Palisades community meeting, the feeling was unanimous that the district should be encouraged to NOT sell the Palisades school property. Once the property is sold, it is gone forever. Even though the building needs extensive infrastructure work, with increasing student population, this building's value is that it can be used or added on to for educational or administrative purposes when needed. Only a few decades ago, the district planned on selling the Tappan Zee Elementary on Route 9W. It is unimaginable to think where the current 500+ students would go if that building had been sold.

There will be upcoming community meetings as more information is obtained.