By Nicole Falco
The three-story complex would feature one- and two-bedroom units measuring between 960 and 1,400 square feet each, according to Dominick Minerva of Minerva & D'Agostino, attorney for the developers, who are doing business as Valley Best LLC. The main entrance would be located on South Cottage Street. A 154-space underground parking facility would be accessible via E. Valley Stream Boulevard, and would be gated. The service entrance would be located on Hawthorne Avenue.
"The Nassau County Planning Commission likes to call it smart growth," Minerva said. "I don't know if its smart growth, but it makes a lot of sense, and there are a lot of planners throughout the country who realize that having multiple dwellers, people, near the commercial areas of your community, in this case Rockaway Avenue, can only benefit the community. Not to mention it being within walking distance of the Long Island Rail Road."
The architect's plans for the 35-foot structure include 20-foot setbacks on all sides, except the rear, which would abut the Long Island Rail Road. The facade would feature brick and stone work, and be made to look like a row of townhouses rather than one continuous building, according to Robert Ferraro of Wax Ferraro Architects of Lynbrook. The plans also call for a "hidden" fourth story that would house nine units.
"What we are trying to do is establish upscale, first-class dwelling units," Ferraro told the board.
Minerva said the units would start at about $350,000, and he expects the complex would sell out "even before the shovel hits the ground."
"Marketing is going to be consistent with what the planners have recommended," Minerva said. "That means its mainly for commuters or seniors who want to sell their houses for say $500,000 and pocket about $150,000, not to mention being within walking distance of the shops along Rockaway Avenue."
Bruce Blakemon, managing member of Valley Best LLC, local attorney and former Valley Stream resident, told the board he believes the project will serve to beautify the area and increase property values.
An office building and warehouse - the former home of Inflight Newspapers & Magazines - currently exists on the 1.6-acre property. The property is in a C-3 District, or an industrial/commercial-use zone, and therefore the development of residential housing is not permitted without a variance. However, the mayor and board are considering adopting a local law that would allow for the creation of a CA District, or "floating zone," that would permit residential housing in C-2, C-3 and C-X districts (all industrial/commercial-use zones) on a case-by-case basis and at the discretion of the Board of Trustees, bypassing the Zoning Board of Appeals. A public hearing to discuss the proposed condominium complex and the amendment to the code is set for Aug. 29 in Village Hall.
At the village's July meeting, the mayor said that he and the board would consider a number of factors, all of which amount to, "Is the village better off with the project than what is there now?" when deciding whether or not to allow the construction of residential housing in one of the village's industrial zones.
In addition to the Inflight property, the sale of which is contingent on the developers being granted permission to construct the condominium complex, Valley Best has purchased two additional properties - one on Cottage Street and another on Valley Stream Boulevard - adjacent to the Inflight property. The board will also consider whether or not to adopt a another local law that would authorize a change of use for the two adjacent properties from residential to C-3. The houses and Inflight property would then be treated as one property.
And, the developers are asking the village to consider selling a small section of East Valley Stream Boulevard (a dead end) for use in connection with the project.
Comments about this story? NFalco@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
