By Andrew Coen
, the measure has been lifted, paving the way for the development of luxury condominiums on the former Number One School property.
Fifty-one days after Lawrence trustees voted to end the local law, village officials signed off on the process, expressing their satisfaction with the state's promised financing of a $6.7 million Cameron Engineering project that would expand the water pollution control plant to meet the needs of the community.
Lawrence Trustee Joel Mael pushed for the moratorium in 2005, after a number of days on which the plant operated beyond its maximum capacity of 1.5 million gallons a day. Mael, the village's finance commissioner, signed papers on Feb. 23 that brought an end to the law, which had delayed construction of developer David Neuberg's planned 144-unit luxury condominium complex on the former Number One School property on Central Avenue.
The Number One School was closed by the Lawrence school board in June 2004 as part of a consolidation plan to save the district money. Neuberg's $27.5 million proposal was selected by the school board last May, and voters overwhelmingly approved the project in a referendum on Aug. 3. The moratorium did not affect planned apartment buildings on Central Avenue, at the former Lawrence Medical Building and Gulf station, since approvals for those units were given in early 2005, prior to the passage of the local law.
Neuberg's attorney, William Bonesso, said before the moratorium was lifted that Neuberg was set to ask village trustees for variances from the law so he could move forward with his project. Bonesso said his client is excited about the rescinding of the law, and is now ready to meet with the school district to close the deal for the property. During a presentation on his plans at the Feb. 21 Lawrence Association meeting, Neuberg said he hoped to close on the property with the school district 60 days after the moratorium was lifted.
"I think the village acted appropriately in lifting the moratorium," said Bonesso. "They did their due diligence and made sure they had a plan in place."
"We're looking forward to a luxury residence which will enhance the village and will also hopefully enhance the business district," said Lawrence Mayor Dr. Jack Levenbrown. "I'm very eager to see this project move forward."
On Jan. 3, the day the Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals granted Neuberg the necessary variances for his project, village trustees voted to approve the lifting of the moratorium if the state chipped in enough money to upgrade the water pollution control plant so residents would not have to shoulder the burden.
Levenbrown said that the state has already committed $1 million to the plant upgrade, and that village officials are satisfied with information they received regarding the overall financing for the project, even though not all the details have been finalized.
Neuberg's planned complex, designed by architect John Capobianco, includes 144 condominium units and 213 parking spaces - 180 underground spots and 33 for visitors in front of the building. The project also includes a tree-lined entrance, a circular driveway, courtyards, a community room, a gym and an indoor pool. Neuberg said at his Lawrence Association presentation that prices will range from $500,000 to $1.5 million, and the number of units might be reduced to 130 or 135 as a result of a number of requests for three-bed room apartments.
Lawrence school board President Dr. Asher Mansdorf could not be reached for comment on how the $27.5 million would affect the district. A proposition to set the money aside in a capital reserve fund to address the district's various building needs was voted down by District 15 voters last May.
Comments about this story? ACoen@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
