The last hurdle to the conversion of the former Nesquehoning High School into an apartment complex for the elderly was cleared this week when the Nesquehoning Zoning Hearing Board approved two variances for the project.

The board okayed a rear setback variance that allows the developer to construct a retaining wall on the Mill Street side and a variance changing the number of parking spaces to one for each two units instead of one for each unit.

Valley National Properties is the developer of the project. John Seitz, a partner in the firm, told the zoning board most people seeking the type of housing it plans are 70 years of age and older, and many of them no longer drive.