By Nick Buglione
The decision at the June 7 meeting was greeted with cheers and applause from Salisbury residents who have opposed the plan since first learning about it in November.
"It was very good news for the community," said Helen Meittinis, president of the Community Association of Stewart Avenue, a Salisbury civic group. "The community was very pleased."
Two previous board meetings were held on the condominiums, during which some residents argued that the zoning change would open the door for unfavorable projects in the future. They also feared the condominiums would exacerbate Carman Avenue's traffic problem and limit street parking.
"We are against rezoning for condominiums because our community streets are already overburdened," said Lorri Bauer, a Salisbury resident. "We wish to keep this community a single-family suburb. We hope this denial of rezoning sends a strong, clear message to any future potential builders to look to other communities."
Since that section of Carman Avenue is zoned for single-family houses, MDS Enterprises, the contractor who proposed building the condos, needed the town board to approve a zoning change before the project could move forward.
The plan had called for 30 Victorian-style condominiums, roughly 1,250 square feet each, and a recreation room. It also was to include 60 parking spaces, about 20 more than the town code requires for such a project.
The firm even modified its application so only those 55 and older would be able to buy a condo, maintaining that placing an age limit would alleviate traffic and parking concerns since fewer people would be living in each unit.
Still, it wasn't enough to garner the board's support. "I just didn't feel this was the direction for this piece of property," said Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes (R-Levittown). "My concern, which was why I voted the way I did, was the character of the community."
Not all residents, however, opposed the project. "I think people are being short-sighted," said Viki DeJong, a Salisbury civic activist. "Something is going to go [in that lot] and I can't think of anything that's less invasive."
Residents who live close to the Carman Avenue lot, which is on the road's east side just across from Melody Lane, also expressed support of the project. They said the property, which is owned by a tree service business, is a rat-infested eyesore that would be vastly improved if condominiums were built.
But Hudes said that town inspectors have since issued the owner summonses and that the lot has been cleaned up. "Once we were made aware of the situation we immediately had our town departments going down there," he said. "The property has been cleaned up and there have been substantial changes."
MDS Enterprises' purchase of the lot was contingent on the board's approval of the zoning change. Since the zoning change was defeated, the contractor won't be buying the property.
"I'm disappointed for my client because we tried to put the best application that we possibly could forward," said Chris Coschignano, the attorney who represented MDS Enterprises. "Even though we disagree with the decision of the board, we respect the decision of the board and we respect the opinion of the people that opposed the application."
Meittinis said if anything is built on the lot, she hopes it's single-family homes. "It's zoned for single families, so that's what they should keep with," she said.
Comments about this story? NBuglione@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
