By Karenlyn Barone
With company engineers, architects and lawyers on hand, L.I. Water made a detailed presentation for a facility that would improve residents' water quality. Although trustees and residents agree that the plant would serve a necessary function, they did not agree with the water company on how to make the proposed plant esthetically pleasing to the neighborhood.
The plans, for which the water company hopes to gain approval, call for a much larger building than is currently on the site, to be erected behind the original structure. The proposed building would be about 70 feet long, 45 feet wide and 24 feet high. There would also be an additional 50-foot round holding tank for backwash, to be built toward the front of the property and secured with a domed cover.
Some area residents said that a building of that size would not blend in well with their quiet neighborhood, and would detract from the residential quality and esthetic beauty of their tree-lined streets. Village Trustee Bill Hendricks agreed, expressing his concern about the height of the larger building and the visibility of the holding tank.
"Already, I'm not a happy person," Hendricks told the water company representatives. "We're talking esthetics here."
He suggested that the proposed front structure be set farther into the ground so that the height is reduced. He also said that the aluminum covering of the holding tank might, in fact, make it look like an alien vessel, and suggested plantings that would hide it from view.
"We have to get the iron out of the water, so the plant is definitely needed," said Hendricks. "Our goal is to make the building as compatible with the surrounding environment, and as unnoticeable, as possible, so that it blends in with the environment."
Building a plant that adds to the neighborhood rather than detracting from it is the primary concern of resident Anthony Cacciatore. He has lived on Wright Avenue for most of his life, and currently lives in the house he grew up in, with his wife and two children. A third-generation landscaper, his beautifully maintained, lush property is adjacent to the water company's site.
"I don't want the proposed building to look like a factory or a nuclear power plant," said Cacciatore. "I'm not saying they shouldn't build the plant, I just want to make sure that it is done the right way. The water company needs to redesign the building so that it blends into the neighborhood better."
Cacciatore suggested to water company officials and the village board that the building be designed to look like a traditional house, with a gabled roof rather than the proposed slightly sloped roof, which he feels will make the building appear barnlike.
Cacciatore even offered to make his own computer rendering of what he thinks the grounds should look like. "When I look out my window, I love what I see," he said, referring to the tall evergreens and spacious grassy area visible from his windows. "I think the water company should allocate 10 percent of their budget to landscaping, like most homeowners do."
The proposed project will cost about $3.7 million, and L.I. Water's blueprints call for the planting of dozens of blooming plants and ground covering, but only two tall trees -- a 12- to 15-foot tall aristocrat pear and one white pine, 6 to 8 feet high.
"I don't think the water company's proposed landscaping is adequate," said Cacciatore. "I would like to see taller trees used to create park-like grounds."
Neighbor Claudia Renz echoed Cacciatore's sentiment. Renz, her husband and their 18-month-old son live in the house directly across from the water company property. "Our main concern is the view," said Renz. "They have the space and they have the money. I don't think we are being very demanding. We just want the water company to build this plant and maintain it as if they lived across the street."
Cacciatore and Renz said that in the past, the grass on the property has been neglected, and they have had to call the water company and demand that someone cut it. "The lot is commercial property in a residential zone," said Cacciatore. "We want the water company and the village to assure us that this plant will be a positive addition to the neighborhood, in every way."
Water company officials assured the village board and neighbors that they would "go back to the drawing board" and make some revisions to their proposal.
"We will approve plans, but will continue landscaping and maintenance revisions," said Lynbrook Mayor Gene Scarpato. "L.I. Water has always been very cooperative with the village. They made a good presentation, but we will ask for certain protective features and for the plating of more mature trees. We are going to make a big deal out of landscaping, for the good of the neighborhood."
Officially, the permit was neither granted nor denied. The board reserved its decision, and a ruling will be made at the next village board meeting, on Sept. 15.
But Lynbrook interim Superintendent of Buildings Mike Ryder said in a telephone interview that certain issues have already been resolved, including a flat roof for the building and planting evergreen trees in front of it.
The proposed unmanned water station will have the capacity to pump 4 million gallons of filtered drinking water per day, removing 99 percent of the iron through the use of a sand and anthracite pressure filter. L.I. Water Company currently has two operating iron-removal facilities in Valley Stream and Atlantic Beach. A third is in the works in Baldwin. The company hopes the proposed Lynbrook plant will be up and running by June 2004 to meet the increased summer demand for water.
