By Nick Buglione
The board was scheduled to vote on the requested zoning change for the roughly 1.5-acre lot on the east side of Carman Avenue, just across from Melody Lane. The change would allow condominiums to be built. Following testimony from both sides, however, the board postponed the vote.
Residents opposed to the plan cited parking and traffic issues, as well as the fear that building condominiums would open the door for similar projects in the future. Those in favor, mostly residents who live near the property, countered that the lot is a rat-infested eyesore that would be vastly improved if condominiums were built.
I personally am leery of rezoning and setting a precedent, said Helen Meittinis, president of the Community Association of Stewart Avenue. My problem is the projects that will come in down the road.
Meittinis organized a civic meeting Nov. 1 at which residents first conveyed their concerns to Martin Scro, president of MDS Enterprises, the Wantagh-based firm proposing to build the condominiums. After that meeting, more than 1,100 fliers dealing with the issue were circulated in the community, and a petition with nearly 300 signatures of those opposed to the plan was collected.
Rezoning the property in question would set precedents and open the door for future rezoning, and there are many other plots along Carman Avenue, said Lorri Bauer, a Salisbury resident opposed to the plan. In addition, multi-family dwellings would change the profile of our single-family suburban community.
Those wary of the project also maintain that condominiums would exacerbate an already existing traffic problem on Carman Avenue, and would take up scarce parking spots on the surrounding streets.
Chris Coschignano, the attorney representing MDS Enterprises, said that since the civic meeting, the firm has modified its plan in order to assuage residents- fears. We really added a lot of parking to the plan based on the community response, he said. We even offered to put in visitor parking.
The original plan called for 31 Victorian-style condominiums, roughly 1,250 square feet each, and a recreation room. The company, however, has since eliminated one unit and scrapped plans for the recreation room, Coschignano said.
It also increased the number of planned parking spots from 43 to 69, far more than would be required under Town of Hempstead guidelines.
To alleviate potential traffic problems, Scro said his firm has agreed to change one of the two entrances to an exit and install a traffic light if necessary. I-m all for safety I have children too, he said. If a traffic light is needed, at my expense, I will put it in.
Eleven houses abut the property, and many of those homeowners are fed up with the condition it-s in. Thirty-one of the 36 homeowners within 200 feet of the proposed project area have signed a petition in favor of the condominium plan, according to Scro. Some came down to the board meeting to voice their support.
They say that the property, which is being used by a commercial tree service, is in deplorable condition. Workers often dump their garbage and urinate and defecate in the lot, according to one homeowner whose house abuts the property.
The people who would be affected most [by the project] are the people who want it, Scro said, adding that they-re frustrated that people living one or two miles away are so adamantly opposed to the condos.
Having heard testimony from both sides, the Hempstead Town Board postponed ruling on the zoning change so it can review all the information, said Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes (R-Levittown). There is no timetable on when the board might be ready to render a decision, though its next meeting is on Tuesday, Nov. 30.
Hudes wouldn-t say whether he opposes or supports the condominium plan. I thought it was a very well-attended town board meeting, he said. There were many people there that had many concerns with the proposal, and I have to say that I share a great deal of the concerns that they brought forward.
Kate Murray and I are both very concerned with the issues the bordering neighbors brought up regarding the tree service that-s operating out of that property, Hudes said.
Following the meeting, the Hempstead building and sanitation departments inspected the property, and the owner was issued notices of violation for its condition, Hudes said. The day after the hearing, I understand there was quite a bit of activity at the site in terms of cleaning up, he said.
Comments about this story? NBuglione@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
