By:Angela Marshall
The legislation, essentially supported by the Maple Avenue group, calls for the creation of buffer zones between the village-s existing business and residential zones on the north side of town. By reducing heights and changing some of the types of businesses allowed in the area, the board hopes to soften the impact felt when business districts abut residential districts.
The task force has been asking for such legislation for years, and has submitted many suggestions for what it feels would be appropriate heights and property uses in the area in question, which runs the entire length of Maple Avenue and extends west as far as Quealy Place at Village Avenue. So members were surprised when the board took another look at allowed property uses last week and decided to include storage warehouses and parking lots, among other items. They were particularly concerned because the village does not define those uses in its code.
The board decided to review allowed property uses after some property owners in the area brought up concerns, especially about the elimination of warehouses. After a lively debate during the zoning session, the board was split on whether to allow warehouses, with Trustee Mary Bossart coming out against them. I think it-s a mistake for the board to do this, she said.
Bossart said that one of the main reasons to create the buffer zones, which will be called Business C and Business C2, was to make the area more walkable. She said hulking buildings like warehouses would not do that.
Deputy Mayor Wayne Lipton replied, This is about use, not looks. Lipton also said that just because a use is allowed doesn-t mean it will take over the area. He pointed out that 60-foot buildings were allowed in the village for years, but few were ever built.
Heights in the buffer zones would be limited to a maximum of 36 feet.
Prior to last week-s discussion, the question of whether to allow restaurants in the area was debated most often. This was solved by splitting the buffer zone in two, allowing eateries in Business C but not in C2.
Restaurants, warehouses and parking lots, along with many other property uses, are currently allowed in the area, which has long been part of Business A, the village-s densest business district.
Offering a compromise, Bossart suggested allowing warehouses but requiring them to acquire special-use permits. But Mayor Eugene Murray objected, saying it costs a lot of money to go before the Rockville Centre Zoning Board of Appeals for permits.
Task force members said they objected to warehouses and parking lots because of the truck traffic and strangers they bring into the area. One mother said she was afraid to let her children play in her yard because she often sees men outside her house who are making deliveries at the warehouse businesses already in the area. Remember the children, she pleaded with the board on Monday.
The board opted to send the legislation to the Nassau County Planning Commission as is. But board members said they would continue to consider the matter and listen to everyone-s concerns at a public hearing on the legislation on June 14.
