Lighthouse zoning hearing set for Sept. 22

As expected, the Hempstead town board voted on Tuesday to schedule a zoning hearing for Sept. 22 on the proposal to renovate the aging Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale and redevelop the 150 acres that surround it.

The privately funded, $4 billion Lighthouse project includes a renovated Coliseum, a new convention center, a five-star hotel, residential units, office and retail space and a minor league baseball stadium. The plan is projected to generate 75,000 construction jobs, and 19,000 permanent jobs when it is completed.

A zoning hearing offers the public an opportunity to weigh in on the merits of the proposal, unlike the previous comment period in August, which focused on the environmental aspects of the project.

The town zoning hearing will take place at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse on the south campus of Hofstra University, and would be divided into three sessions: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.

Those who are unable to attend the Sept. 22 hearing can submit comments by mail — to Town of Hempstead, Lighthouse Project Public Comment, One Washington Street, Hempstead, N.Y. 11550 — or by e-mail, to lighthousecomment@tohmail.org.

If the project is granted zoning and environmental approvals by the town, the approval process would move on to the county. The Legislature would vote to approve the lease agreement for the Islanders and the Coliseum, which is set to expire in 2015. Following a final approval from the Nassau County Planning Commission, building permits would be issued and the developers would be cleared to begin construction.