By NANCY HILER
, a Democrat representing the Bellmore-Merrick area, and other officials discuss options available to deal with increasing numbers of subdivisions and encroaching "McMansions" that are affecting the character of their neighborhoods.
"I'm trying to keep people informed," Denenberg said, as he talked about current residential code in the Town of Hempstead and its zoning procedures. He went on to explain that increasing minimum residential lot size zoning requirements, also called "upzoning," above the current 6,000-square-foot requirement, could prevent builders from applying to create subdivisions and variances from being granted. As a county official, Denenberg has no jurisdiction in town activities, but has a history of assisting individuals, civic groups, and other organizations in the Bellmores and Merricks and other communities in fighting plans that would change the character of neighborhoods.
"Most people are concerned about traffic congestion, removal of old trees, not having the morning or evening light anymore when you live in a Cape or Tudor and they put up a McMansion next door," he said.
Another solution Denenberg mentioned was a "pyramid law," which addresses the height of residential structure as well as the way in which it effects the view of neighboring homes. "What does [the building] do to the view you had when you originally moved in?" is the question this type of law addresses.
Later at the meeting, Michael Levine, the Town of North Hempstead Planning Department commissioner, spoke about residential overdevelopment there, explaining changes to code made there. He said that this kind of law addresses the "profile" of the building, calling these measures "sky exposure plane" and "height setback ratio" restrictions and can be effective in reducing encroachment.
Nassau County Planning Commission Chairman Jeff Greenfield also spoke at the meeting. Longtime Speaker of the House of Representatives Tip O'Neill said, 'All politics is local,' " Greenfield quoted, adding, "Nothing is more local than zoning."
All zoning decisions are determined at the town or village level, Greenfield said, explaining that the County Planning Commission was limited in what it could do and essentially served in an advisory capacity when issues of zoning were brought before it.
Greenfield, who spent 15 years on the Village of Rockville Centre Board of Zoning Appeals, explained the basic process of changing zoning codes. He said that most zoning decisions involve addressing side and rear yard setbacks, the building envelope or percentage of the lot that a building takes up and grandfathering of existing property rights.
A moratorium on building is usually put in place while the town or other board considers rewriting the zoning code, and specifics are brought before the board during hearings.
Comments about this story? nhiler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 234.
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