The applicant proposes to construct a 900-seat public school, PS 58R, and associated paving, utilities, and landscaping, upon about 5-1/4 acres of a 13-1/3 acre site bounded by Westport Street, Essex Drive, Devon Loop and Marsh Avenue, southeast of the Staten Island Mall. The site is wooded, with Oaks, Sweetgum, and Red Maple dominating. About 1-3/4 acres of federally regulated freshwater wetlands would be eliminated by the development. The applicant has proposed to mitigate this loss by creating about 3-1/2 acres of new freshwater wetlands adjacent to DEC Freshwater Wetland No. AR- 40, in Willowbrook Park opposite the intersection of Richmond Avenue and Amsterdam Place. The mitigation project will consist of removal of fill and excavation and planting of a wetland addition which will include open water and marshland vegetated with native species. The freshwater wetland permit is required for the mitigation; the water quality certification for both the project construction and the mitigation. A draft permit is on file.

The applicant proposes to construct a one-family house with a 2 car garage partially within the adjacent area of NYSDEC regulated Class 1 Freshwater Wetland AR-17 (Wolfs Pond). The wetland is located across an existing paved street from the project site which is located at the intersection of Eylandt Street and Tuckahoe Avenue, Staten Island Block 6572, Lot 27.