Residents voice traffic safety concerns over Woodmere Club development proposal

The Hempstead Town Board meeting held on July 1, 2025, addressed significant community concerns regarding a proposed development project on the Woodmere Club property. The meeting featured a series of public comments that highlighted the potential impact of the development on local traffic and safety.

The session began with community members expressing their views on the proposed project, which aims to replace the existing golf course with a residential development. Residents voiced concerns about the anticipated increase in traffic, particularly on narrow streets such as Porter Place and Wood Lane. Bonnie Polanski, a local resident, emphasized the dangers posed by adding approximately 400 cars to an already congested area, noting that the streets lack sidewalks and are frequently used as cut-throughs to avoid traffic on Broadway. She urged the board to conduct further traffic studies to assess the safety implications for children and pedestrians in the neighborhood.

Jason Lieber, another resident and business owner, presented a counterargument, suggesting that rejecting the proposal could lead to the construction of 59 large homes on the property. He argued that this alternative would create more long-term disruption and traffic issues, as well as diminish green space in the community. Lieber advocated for the proposed development, suggesting it would better serve the community's future needs.

Paris Popak, a community advocate, also spoke against the overdevelopment of the Woodmere Club property, expressing her commitment to preserving the character of the area. She has been actively involved in efforts to prevent what she described as the potential transformation of the community into a densely populated area.

The meeting concluded without a definitive resolution, but the discussions underscored the community's divided opinions on the development project. The board is expected to consider the feedback from residents as they move forward with their decision-making process. Further discussions and potential follow-up actions are anticipated in future meetings.