The Bronx Community Board 7 Housing, Land Use, and Economic Development Committee approved a request on Tuesday, Jan. 13, by the Stagg Group for an early work permit in relation to construction work at 140 West Fordham Road in University Heights, permitting the group to start work at the site at 8.30 a.m. on Saturdays.

To expedite construction at the site, Stagg Group project manager, Chris Miele, had attended the meeting and requested a letter of support from the committee to obtain the required early start work permit from the Department of Buildings (DOB). Work is typically permitted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

“In the construction world, the difference between starting at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. is really critical,” said Miele. “All the action happens in the morning, all the deliveries, and all the subcontractors arrive. The earlier start time will allow us to complete the building faster and get out of the neighborhood as quick as possible.”

Currently in the foundation phase of construction, the Stagg Group’s project includes a 52,000 sq. ft., seven-story residential building with 54 rental units and a parking enclosure with 27 parking spaces. According to Miele, once the foundation is complete, construction could wrap in two to three months.

Housing committee member Sandra Erickson was the first to suggest that 8 a.m. on a Saturday was too early for construction to begin and requested a compromise of 8:30 a.m. Members of the community, including Danielle Guggenheim, agreed. “I know me, as a teacher, 8:00 a.m. on Saturday is too early. I need my rest,” she said. “I feel my quality of life is going to be impacted.”

Erickson also raised concern over how little the committee knew about the Stagg Group’s construction plans before Tuesday’s meeting. “Did you come and notify us about the project?” she asked. “Because we didn’t even know you had the foundation in. We feel a little hurt about that. We like to know what’s going on.”

Fellow committee member, Erick Ascencio, also weighed in asking the group about its logistics plan for the construction of this project. “What do the street closures and sidewalk closures look like?” he asked. “It would have been good to see some of that information.”

According to Miele, during construction, parking and the bus lane will remain on Fordham Road. However, all parking, approximately seven spaces in total, has been eliminated on the Loring Place side to create a driving lane, and a pedestrian walkway has been added. It was noted that deliveries will take place on both Fordham Road and Loring Place, and there are no plans for any street closures.

Ultimately, the committee compromised with the Stagg Group and voted to approve the 8:30 a.m. work start time. However, committee chair, Alex Karman, noted that votes on the matter would also be required from the Bronx CB7’s Executive Committee and General Board for final approval. Miele said the group would aim to provide the requested construction logistics and general project information to all committees before the executive committee meets on Thursday, Jan. 21.

The next Housing, Land Use, and Economic Development committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m.