NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC.

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Gov't Reform

May 18, 2011

Town of Hempstead continues building code reform

The Town of Hempstead which enacted significant reforms to the town's building code beginning in 2007, has now moved to amend the public notice requirement relating to the application for variances to the building code. Specifically, the new law requires that businesses seeking construction and use variances from the Board of Appeals must notify all residents within 300 feet of the subject property of the nature of their application and the hearing date. Currently, applicants must inform neighbors who live within 100 feet of the subject property. The new proposal also requires large 4' x 6' signs be posted at subject properties, notifying residents of hearings for variances.

The building code reforms passed in 2007 were the result of the town's effort to solicit and work together with numerous civic organizations including the NCCA. The Nassau County Civic Association strongly supports the proposed law and applauds the town for supporting this significant reform.

A public hearing for the proposal is scheduled for June 21st.

July 20, 2010

Town of Hempstead releases New Development Plan for Coliseum 

In a dramatic turn around from the highly dense and urban plan pushed by the former Suozzi administration, the Town of Hempstead has released a blueprint for the redevelopment of the Coliseum area that is a balance between the need for development and maintaining the suburban character of Nassau County.

The plan calls for 5.4 million square feet of construction which includes convention facilities, hotels, retail, restaurants, offices, residential units, entertainment uses and a refurbished Coliseum. The plan includes 500 units of housing. The maximum building height contemplated under the town's zone is 100 feet or nine stories and applies to hotels. Mixed use, office and most other structures would be capped at four stories. Exclusively residential buildings would be restricted to three stories.

We applaud Supervisor Murray and the Town Board for their commitment to economic development and their responsiveness to the concerns of the Town's residents.

October 14, 2009

LIGHT HOUSE PROJECT DEAD?

The Long Island Press has reported that Charles Wang has decided to walk away from his Light House project. An unnamed source indicated that financing a project on this scale during the current climate may have been the chief reason for the demise of this project. While the majority of town residents support development, the density and scale of the proposed project was problematic to say the least. Wang’s insistence not to compromise was key to the plan’s failure. The inclusion of 36-40 story skyscrapers in the heart of central Nassau County transformed the project into a strictly urban development inconsistent with the suburban nature of Nassau County. Mr. Wang failed to address concerns over traffic, water, parking and other environmental issues. He actually demanded that his proposal be approved with a provision that would allow him to change the plan as the build progressed. The Nassau County Civic Association, Inc. supported a smaller scaled back plan; however Mr. Wang refused to accept any other alternative except for the plan submitted to the town board. Accordingly, we had no choice but to oppose the plan.

For a detailed review of the plan, click here. Charles Wang responds, Click here

September 2, 2009

Hempstead Town Supervisor Calls For September 22nd Lighthouse Hearing

 Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has announced that she will call upon the Hempstead Town Board to schedule a much-anticipated public zoning hearing on the proposed Lighthouse Project on September 22nd. The hearing will focus around the Lighthouse Group's plan to refurbish the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and redevelop the 150 acres surrounding the aging arena.

"This hearing will afford civic leaders, business people, local residents, government officials, labor representatives, regulatory agencies and all interested parties an opportunity to weigh in on the Lighthouse Project," stated Murray. "The views, opinions and input of the public is invaluable as the town board collects evidence and considers this redevelopment plan."

The proposed hearing is anticipated to be held at Hofstra University's John Cranford Adams Playhouse on the South Campus. Attendees will be directed to hearing parking via signage along Hempstead Turnpike. The hearing will be conducted during the following hours on September 22nd: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Nassau County or New York City? 
Yes to development, no to the Lighthouse Project

Comment Period has been extended and is still open.

Those who wish to have their views/comments considered by the Town Board and included in the official record can do so as follows:


The comment period remains open at this time.

July 28, 2009

Waste-Energy Plant Expansion calls for excess water use

Lighthouse Project faces additional questions

The planned expansion of the Town of Hempstead's garbage burning energy plant calls for an increase in water use by 270 million gallons per year. The Westbury plant owned by Covanta has agreed to handle the Lighthouse Project's projected 31,000 tons of annual waste. A significant hurdle for the later project is the limited supply of water as outlined in the recently completed Lighthouse Environmental Impact Statement (page 1-117). If there is insufficient water resources available for the Lighthouse Project alone, how can either project proceed without significant changes?

July 27, 2009

Town of Hempstead to hold public hearing on Lighthouse project

The town of Hempstead has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, August 4th for public comment on the Lighthouse project. The plan calls for the re-development of 150 acres surrounding the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY which includes renovations to the Coliseum. The proposal calls for 2300 residential units, office and retail space and hotels. One of the most controversial aspects of the plan is the introduction of two 36 story and two 20 story sky scrappers in the heart of suburban Nassau County. In addition, several unresolved issues remain such as traffic congestion, insufficient water supply, air quality, and sewage treatment. While development is good for Nassau County, is this the right plan?

The hearing will take place Tuesday, August 4th at  Hofstra University, John Cranford Adams Playhouse, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Environmental Impact Study   The Lighthouse Plan  YouTube Video from the TOH

February 2, 2009

Town of Hempstead votes to redevelop blighted area of Elmont

From the Town of Hempstead:

The town Board recently adopted the report of the town's independent Planning Board for the urban renewal of the Argo Theatre Community Corners area. The board's resolution will allow the plan for the redevelopment of the stretch between Elmont Road and Hempstead Turnpike to move forward. The Urban Renewal Plan seeks to redevelop approximately three acres of blighted, underutilized commercial property into a 40,000 square foot supermarket with parking. The supermarket is consistent with the Elmont community's vision for the area as expressed by residents during various community visioning meetings.

The adoption of the Planning Board's report is an important stage in the process of bringing the redevelopment plan to fruition. Later stages require the Town Board to approve the Urban Renewal Plan and proceed with the acquisition and
redevelopment of the former Argo Movie Theatre properties.
 

September 16, 2008

Public Meeting draws hundreds, Town of N Hempstead Vows repeal of Accessory Apt Law

On September 16th, more then 750 Town of North Hempstead residents appeared at New Hyde Park High School to demand the repeal of an ordinance legalizing accessory apartments. On September, 22nd, the ordinance was repealed in an unanimous vote. Click on the link below for the full story. 

The battle Over Accessory Apartments
 The People prevailed!  September 23, 2008

May 7, 2008

Public Input Sought for Lighthouse at Long Island Project (The Hub)

The Hempstead Town Board has received an application to rezone and develop a mixed-use community surrounding (inclusive of) the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), the applicant, Lighthouse Development Group, is required to produce a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which provides a means for agencies, project sponsors and the public to systematically consider adverse environmental impacts, alternatives and mitigation.

Two scoping sessions have been scheduled to facilitate public input to identify potentially significant adverse impacts related to the proposed action that are to be addressed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Hearing location: Town of HempsteadNathan L. H. Bennett PavilionOne Washington StreetHempstead, NY

Dates & Times: Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

For more information, call 516-794-8300 or log onto www.toh.li to view the Lighthouse applicant's Draft Scope.

April 16, 2007

Town of Hempstead set to vote on construction moratorium April 17, 2007

The Nassau County Civic Association, Inc supports the moratorium which covers new construction of single and two family homes on substandard sized lots. We have expressed our position to the Supervisor's office and the town board. It is our belief that the moratorium has the support to pass tomorrow.

We believe that the town should include town residents in the process of deciding what actions to take to address this problem. We are confident that the town will do so based on the town's actions involving the Army base in North Bellmore. We will recommend two individuals at tomorrow's town board meeting.

June 14, 2007

First hearing and vote to amend the building code set for June 19th.

The town board will consider the first in a series of amendments that address deficiencies in the building code. The initial amendment deals with the height of grass subject to a fine, side set backs, size of the home foot-print and a formal definition of building height.

April 17, 2007

Town board votes for construction moratorium.

The Town Board voted unanimously in favor of the moratorium. An amendment to the legislation allows the town flexibility to reduce the length of the moratorium should this issue be resolved at an earlier date. We would like to thank Supervisor Kate Murray, the Town Board and the Hempstead Town Civic Council*. More information will be posted shortly.

*The NCCA is a member organization.