By Brian Zanzonico
The zoning board sent a letter dated Aug. 15 to residents who live near 820 Hempstead Tpke. stating that the church's attorney, Bill Cohn, sent them a letter withdrawing the application. Church officials had their sights set on the building and was in contract with its owner, Stephen Schector, to buy the property. The transaction was contingent on the zoning board's approval of the application.
Now that the plan is off the table, Cohn said church officials will continue to look for a new home, since the congregation is outgrowing its home on Elmont Road in Elmont.
"It was disappointing to see such overwhelming opposition in a case that included a religious institution," Cohn said. "They didn't want to be where they weren't wanted."
More than 150 residents packed the VFW Hall on Lincoln Road May 30 to see a presentation by Cohn on the plan. With members of the church's board in the audience, the hour-long, at times contentious meeting centered on rumors that the vision for the beige, two-story, 3,550-square-foot building included its doubling as a drug clinic. Church officials said there was no truth to those rumors.
Those challenging the plan, led by civic activist Pat Friedman, claimed the church couldn't provide parking for its congregants, who, church officials said, now number 70 - two of whom live in Franklin Square, while the rest are from Elmont, Floral Park and New Hyde Park. According to the church Web site, the hope is that the membership will grow to 500.
Abutting the rear of the building is a Town of Hempstead parking lot, where parishioners would have parked. The lot is often used by patrons of the Franklin Square Library, which is across the street on Lincoln Road, and the VFW Hall down the block, as well as shoppers. If a library event, VFW function and a church service were to take place at the same time, neighboring streets might have been clogged with cars, Friedman said.
"It's best for everyone concerned," Friedman said. "I hope they find a better location to operate how they want without difficulty. I wish them well."
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