By KIMBERLY ACEVEDO
"To be honest, I like the building, and [the proposal] looks nice," said Vicki Rollins, a neighbor. "The only problem I have is that it's going to block the light and put stress on the parking and sewers."
During an Oct. 24 Zoning Board meeting, about 30 residents expressed their opposition to the proposed condos, located between Magnolia and Laurelton boulevards, south of Broadway. The site is currently a vacant lot. The 70-foot-tall proposed complex includes two- and three-bedroom units, indoor and outdoor parking, landscaping and a pool. The first-floor parking garage would be similar to the Avalon Towers. The average cost per unit would be $500,000, Long Beach Building Commissioner Scott Kemins said.
The developer, Joseph Anayati of RKO Realty in Roslyn, could not be reached for comment as of press time.
The Castle Courts condominiums are located directly across from the site. Charles Loyola, president of the Castle Courts Condominium Association Board, said the board has four main concerns: insufficient parking, sewage, over-development and noise pollution.
Acting as the developer's attorney, Nassau County Legis. Michael Zapson (D-Long Beach), a former city council member, said the residents' concerns were valid and would be taken into consideration. But several residents believe that in representing the developer, Zapson is representing the wrong side.
"I'm appalled," Loyola said. "He is our legislator...we basically put him in office." Loyola said he considers Zapson's representing the developer as "self-serving."
Rollins agreed. "He is the legislator for our district," she said. "He is supposed to be representing the interests of the people. How can he represent the developer? It's a huge conflict of interest."
But Zapson denied any conflict of interest and said the proposed project would have a "beneficial impact" on the community. The complex could have been designed on a larger scale, but, he said, "I don't believe it's the preferred way."
The proposal is under review by the Zoning Board because the City of Long Beach requires a minimum lot size of 40,000 square feet for a condo development, Kemins said. Since this lot measures 33,000 square feet, he explained, a variance would be needed.
Just two residents at the meeting said the condos would be beneficial to the city. Most who attended said that Long Beach has too many condos already.
"This is yet another example of over-development in our city," Mona Goodman said. She also described the drawing boards displaying a rendering of the completed project "fictional."
Some residents at the meeting said current problems with the sewer system would worsen with the construction of new condos. Last year the sewer backed up constantly, Loyola said, and he believes additional stress on top of an "already fragile system" would be detrimental.
Residents also said the proposed condos would block their sunlight.
In repsonse, Zapson said, "We had our architect determine where shadows would fall. It does not create shadows on any of the buildings."
The building would be closer to Hoffman Manor than the Breakers, Zapson said. It would sit 73 feet from the Breakers and 59 feet from Hoffman Manor.
Zapson also addressed residents' concerns about parking, saying that the complex would have ample parking. Two parking spaces per unit would be provided, he said, instead of the required 1.75.
Traffic and real estate experts were also on hand to address residents' concerns. Still, many believe the condos will just create problems. "I just want to come home to a community that is quiet and responsible," Loyola said.
