By Paul J. Condra
A twelve-page amendment set forth by the village outlines the proposed parking space requirements for commercial and residential uses. Daunting at first, members of the business community said they didn't understand the new regulations until the mayor explained the changes more accurately in a meeting with business owners.
At first I didn't have enough information, said Pennie Schwartz, the president of the Malverne Merchant's Association. But Schwartz said she's not too concerned about the amendment.
If it's an allowable business in the district, then [the parking] is not going to change, she said.
But others in the village aren't so sure. Dominic Natoli, of the Woodland Nursery and Landscapes on Franklin Ave., said the new restrictions might require him to have up to 60 parking spots.
That's like half my property, he said, adding the three-year-old nursery has never needed that much space.
As Schwartz understands it, the proposed law-change isn't so much meant to keep certain undesirable businesses out of Malverne, but to ensure enough space for everybody.
The amendment includes a detailed list of the amount of off-street parking that will be required for distinct businesses. In addition, it gives a detailed explanation for how truck-loading space is to be designed.
We're trying to keep the small-town charm of Malverne, Schwartz said.
The following public hearings have been set to discuss the proposed parking amendments: Commercial parking rules will be discussed March 6, at 6:45 p.m., in Malverne Village Hall, 99 Church St. Residential parking rules will be discussed March 13, at 7 p.m., at Howard T. Herber Middle School, 75 Ocean Ave.
