TOWN QUESTIONS W. HEMPSTEAD
APARTMENT PLAN
Some Hempstead Town council members and residents Tuesday questioned plans for a three-story apartment complex in West Hempstead, claiming the design is unattractive and noise from the adjacent Long Island Rail Road station could be unbearable for tenants.
Developer Barry Leon, of West Hempstead, and his partners presented a rezoning petition Tuesday to the Hempstead Town Board for 40 Hempstead Gardens Dr. They want the town to rezone the AVF Carting property from light manufacturing to multifamily urban renewal development.
The project would consist of 60 two-bedroom apartments on the 87,861-square-foot site. About 20 apartments on the first floor would be designated for senior citizens and handicapped tenants, Leon's attorney, Howard D. Avrutine, said.
The transit-oriented complex would also attract young adults and older residents who may have sold their homes and not want to buy another. Rents would range from $1,600 to $1,900 a month, Avrutine said.
Councilwoman Dorothy L. Goosby, who represents the area, suggested eliminating six units to create a community room and asked Leon to consider making concessions to include affordable units. She also raised concerns about noise from passing trains and generators at the railroad substation.
"I spent quite a little bit of time looking at this plan," Goosby said. "How could anybody live next to this substation?"
Leon said the apartments facing the train station would have acoustic windows to diminish the sound from the trains. A 10-foot fence would also be put up, Avrutine said.
Some residents during the public hearing portion of the meeting asked the board not to approve the current proposed plan, saying there were too many concerns about traffic, parking and design.
"All I can say is that it resembles an old-fashioned motel," said Rosalie Norton, president of the West Hempstead Community Support Association. "This has to go back to the drawing board."
The board made no decision, allowing Leon to submit additional information and amend the application.
"We are going to work with them [residents and local business owners] to try to satisfy as much of their concerns as we can," Avrutine said.
Published: November 15, 2011, By Aisha Al-Muslim, Newsday.com