Checking on the existing geography and zoning

Without directly admitting it, the Town of Hempstead approved a 180-day temporary building moratorium on residential development on privately-owned golf course properties last month that appears to only impact the Woodmere Club for now.

“We on the Hempstead Town Board want to ensure that the local residential nature and area character of our neighborhoods is preserved when a private golf course endeavors to develop a portion of its property,” Supervisor Anthony Santino said in a prepared media release.  “We will be looking at lot sizes of golf course parcels that are the subject of residential development proposals to ensure that any such home construction would complement surrounding village residential properties.” The town could extend the development freeze in 90-day increments.

Specifically the building ban targets private golf courses that are near or adjacent to residential areas such as the Woodmere Club. In the past few months, there has been talk that that more than 30 acres of club land would be purchased by a local developer who would build more than 150 single- and multiple-family homes on 60- by 100-foot lots. The targeted land is zoned Residence B, and is in the hamlet of Woodmere in the town. No application had been filed as of press time. 

In addition, an unidentified developer proposed 23 townhouses on a 2.2-acre portion of the Woodmere Club along the waterfront side of Railroad Avenue, which is in the Village of Woodsburgh.

Village Mayor Lee Israel, said he believes the town’s moratorium is a reaction to rumors in the communities near the club, including Cedarhurst, and the uncertainty surrounding the future of the club. 

“It appears the legislation is an attempt to quell public concern regarding potential overdedevelopmewnt and re-examine the town’s own zoning requirements as to possibly align them more consistently with neighboring villages such as Woodsburgh,” Israel said. “The property zoning districts for the Woodmere Club property within Woodsburgh are single family homes on one- and two-acre parcels.” Club officials didn’t comment by press time.

Language in the adopted resolution reads that the town board “is greatly concerned that area character and property values be preserved, enhanced and protected for the benefit of Town residents.” Town officials believe that imposing the ban will allow them “the time to conduct a full review of the layout of existing homes and the current area-based zoning regulations set forth in the zoning codes of the proximate villages,” the resolution reads.

“The prospect of drastically different home development occurring on a neighboring golf course could totally decimate the harmony of a local neighborhood,” Councilman Anthony D’Esposito said in the media release.

Studying the existing zoning would help the town to decide whether “to enact comprehensive new lot sizes and other area-based regulations that would apply to possible residential development of golf course properties,” according to the ban’s language. “Residents who settle in incorporate villages have a right to expect that their neighborhoods maintain their character just like all town residents,” Councilman Bruce Blakeman said in the release.

Several concerned residents think that the moratorium is a step in the right direction and hope the ban is renewed, and that the Woodmere Club doesn’t sell its land for development, as they are fond of the existing community. 

Have an opinion about potential golf course development? Send your letter to the editor to jbessen@liherald.com.