By Nicole Falco
Having received the unanimous approval of the Hempstead town board last September to rezone the property from Residence B District to Golden Age (GA) District, the developer, Broadval LLC of Islandia, now awaits a decision by the Nassau County Planning Commission. The commission's decision is "imminent," according to both Town Councilman James Darcy and Doug Partrick, one of two principal partners of Broadval. The other is Partrick's father, Donald. If the planning commission gives its approval, Broadval will then have to appear before the town board for a final site plan review. If that is approved, building permits can be issued.
"We're just trying to tie up the loose ends, waiting for approval," Partrick said.
First preference for the condos will be given to residents of Valley Stream School District 13 and their parents, followed by town and county residents. The town is maintaining a list of prospective buyers, which it will turn over to the developer.
"We keep getting a lot of inquiries," Darcy said. "There is a lot of interest from residents in the area. It is a clear example of how great the need [for such housing] is in the community."
According to Partrick, Broadval must submit an offering plan to the state attorney general's office, and have that plan approved, before it can generate its own list of prospective buyers or set a starting price for the units. He added that the state will not approve an offering plan until the final site plan is approved by the town. Once the units can be sold, a sign will be erected on the property and Broadval will look into other forms of advertising, if necessary, Partrick said, although he expects word of mouth to account for most of the sales.
In a presentations before the town board last August and September, Broadval's attorney, Jack Libert of Libert, Alizio and Galfunt of Mineola, said the units could start at around $250,000, and, based on that price, the complex would generate about $1.8 million in tax revenue annually. Wayside was tax exempt. The complex will not be eligible for federal or state subsidies.
"Because of the average selling price of a home in Nassau County, people would do very well to sell their house and buy a unit with us, and they'll still be able to put some money away for retirement," Partrick said. "It's a win-win for everybody. A win-win for the community as well as for the school district, which will benefit from the extra tax revenue without the impact of school-aged children. People will still be able to live in their community at an affordable price, and it's a great planning tool for keeping people here and from moving off Long Island."
Also in the presentation made last summer, Libert and project engineer Kevin Walsh of Barrett, Bonacci & Van Weele P.C. of Hauppauge, said the complex would feature eight two-story buildings, an 8,000- square-foot community building and recreation areas. Each unit will measure 941 square feet and have two bedrooms, one and a half baths, a kitchen, living room, dining room and rear patio. First-floor units will be handicapped accessible and second-floor units will have amenities for the disabled such as shower guard rails. Four parking spaces will be provided for every three units. Garbage dumpsters will be located throughout the property, and pickup will be done through a private company. The main entrance will be on Dutch Broadway opposite Lawrence Street. Residents will be required to use an access card to gain entry to the complex between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Two additional accessways will only be used in case of emergency and will otherwise remain locked. A six-foot cedar stockade fence will surround the property, and evergreens will be planted along the property line.
Any Salvation Army buildings on the 14-acre property, which is on Dutch Broadway west of West Gate, have been demolished in anticipation of construction. Wayside, which offered counseling and rehabilitative services to troubled girls, closed in December 2003 after nearly 70 years, citing economic difficulties.
"We're optimistic and looking forward to breaking ground and getting construction under way," Partrick said. "I anticipate we will have the job done and complete and people moving in within 18 months to two years [once construction has begun]."
Comments about this story? NFalco@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
For more information:
The town is generating a list of prospective buyers, which it will turn over to the developer. Although the town cannot broker deals between the developer and buyers, it will monitor the sale of the units to make sure Broadval fulfills its stated priorities - giving first preference to residents of Valley Stream School District 13 and their parents, followed by town and county residents. Anyone interested can call the town board at (516) 485-5000 and ask for either Councilman James Darcy or Councilman Ed Ambrosino's office, or call the Town Housing Authority at (516) 485-9666.
