by Anthony Rifilato
Despite intense opposition from neighborhood residents, the Town of Hempstead approved last week a plan that would allow the development of senior housing on Grand Avenue.
The approval of the plan, which has been in the works since 2002, came as a blow to neighbors who have staunchly opposed the project and launched a petition drive urging the board to vote against an application to rezone the property, at 2870 Grand Ave., from a residential area to a "Golden Age" zone.
The project would be built on Grand Avenue, between Atlantic and Barnes avenues, next to another senior housing development, Halandia Shores.
At a hearing in January, residents went before the town board to say that the sprawling development -- consisting of nearly 30 co-op units on 1.32 acres of property -- would negatively impact on the residential community, causing a traffic and quality-of-life nightmare and exacerbating existing sewage problems that frequently cause flooding.
The developer of the project, Deka Associates, has maintained that there is a pressing need for senior housing in Nassau County, with over 3,000 seniors on a waiting list. Deka said that the project would benefit seniors in Baldwin, who would be given first preference when the units are put up for sale, ranging in price from $150,000 to $180,000.
The developer also emphasized that the project would not increase traffic congestion, and that it would not affect any sewage issues.
The town's decision on May 18 came as a surprise, considering that the town had expressed some initial concerns about the project in January and requested from Deka representatives further information about its impact, such as access into and out of the development, which would have only one 20-foot-wide entrance.
There was some concern expressed by Town Councilman Anthony Santino over whether emergency vehicles would be able to enter the site. After Deka agreed to put in a cul de sac to allow for greater mobility and accessibility and to modify the plan with restrictive covenants, the application to rezone was granted.
"Essentially, the need for senior housing continues to grow," Santino said, adding that there are a number of seniors in Baldwin who want to remain in the community. "We saw this as a sensible way to create senior housing."
The Deka plan would be scaled back from 27 to 25 two-bedroom, one-bath co-ops in three separate buildings, one of which would include a community center. Two of the buildings would contain eight units each, with an average size of 1,000 square feet. The third building would have nine units. All three would be two stories tall.
There would also be 36 parking spaces, a white fence surrounding the property, and landscaping and shrubbery that would be maintained by a private landscaper hired by a co-op board.
Senior citizens (age 62 and older) who live in Baldwin would be given first preference, and occupants would be prohibited from renting the units and could not sublet them for more than three months, said Bill Bonesso, an attorney representing Deka owner John Martino. Bonesso said Martino would also be prohibited from renting or subletting the units.
"[The Town] wants these to be owner-occupied," said Bonesso. "My client is very happy with the outcome."
Clearly, the neighbors aren't happy, and said that they are not against seniors, but rather opposed to this large a development in a residential community. Many who opposed the project in January were in fact seniors.
"It was a question of land use," explained Doris Duffy, an attorney representing Emory Jackson, who lives next to the site. "It has a direct impact on [Jackson] as a next-door neighbor."
Duffy said she has yet to see the town's written decision, and explained that Jackson may consider legal action.
And while only a relatively small number of seniors would benefit from this variety of housing, Bonesso said, "had it not been for the Town Of Hempstead creating Golden Age districts, [seniors] wouldn't afford to live on Long Island anymore."
Bonesso explained that the approval to rezone is only the first step, and that Deka still needs permission from the Nassau County Planning Commission to subdivide the property for co-op units.
Bonesso said there would be a public hearing before the planning commission later this year, which has yet to be scheduled, and residents may have another chance to oppose the project.
Santino said that many times, when projects like these are completed, it turns out to be a real plus for the community. "For the most part ... people are always concerned," he said. "When the projects go in, [seniors] turn out to be great neighbors."
Even though the project needs further approval, residents said they are still worried that their voices won't be heard now that the application to rezone has been granted. "I'm very disappointed," said Angel Lobello, a Barnes Avenue resident. "People feel defeated."
