Hempstead board adopts multiple local traffic and parking laws; residents press board on Baldwin development, park upgrades and animal-shelter issues

The Town of Hempstead Town Board on April 8 unanimously approved several proposed local laws addressing parking, traffic and construction-site safety and authorized a grant application for court improvements at Uniondale Avenue Park, while residents used the public-comment period to press the board on a contested Baldwin mixed‑use project, vandalism in town parks and animal‑shelter operations.

The actions, taken during the board’s regular meeting at Hempstead Town Hall, included adoption of local laws on parking and standing prohibitions in North Bellmore and Roosevelt; traffic regulations near schools in Lido Beach; prohibiting U‑turns in Wantagh; establishing bus stops in North Bellmore; allowing designated handicap parking on public streets in Franklin Square and nearby communities; and changes to construction‑site safety training definitions and penalties. The board also approved the administrative calendar (items 8–40).

Why it matters: the local laws change how streets and parking areas are regulated across several villages and unincorporated areas in the town, and the administrative approvals clear numerous routine and project items for staff to implement. Residents used the meeting to press the board about site‑specific projects and public‑safety concerns that will affect neighborhoods from Baldwin to Uniondale.

Board actions and votes All of the proposed local laws and the administrative calendar were adopted by roll call vote with each member recorded as voting “Aye.” The roll call showed Supervisor Donald Clavin; Councilman Dunne; Deputy Supervisor Goosby; Councilwoman Miller; Councilman Muscarella; Councilwoman Ryder; and Councilman Schneider voting in favor. Motions to close the public hearings and adopt each item were made and seconded on the record; the transcript does not identify the mover and seconder by name for each motion.

Grant application for Uniondale Avenue Park courts Kyle Meagan, deputy commissioner of parks and recreation, told the board that item 34 "is authorization for the department to sign a grant application for court improvements at Uniondale Avenue Park." He said the application is for upgrading existing courts and described the planned court reconfiguration: converting four tennis courts into two pickleball courts, one tennis court and one basketball court, with perimeter fencing. Meagan said the grant budget is specifically for court improvements and that lighting and other safety upgrades would need separate consideration.

Development at 2283 Grand Avenue (Baldwin) Multiple residents spoke about resolution 36, a pending site‑plan matter at 2283 Grand Avenue in Baldwin. Attorney Kenneth Allen Brown, appearing on behalf of Michelle Oder (owner of 757 Bixby Drive), said, "There’s a pending application under 221913 for proposed mixed use development in the town of Hempstead at this property," and outlined the applicant’s proposal as a four‑story building with 54 dwelling units (12 one‑bedroom and 42 two‑bedroom units) and about 2,344 square feet of ground‑floor commercial space in the BMX overlay district. Brown said his client’s property directly adjoins the subject parcels and submitted a tax‑map exhibit for the record.

Several nearby residents objected to the project in public comment, saying the building is too large for the lot and would adversely affect adjacent homes. One resident, identified on the record as Shell Oder of 757 Bixby Drive, said, "You’re going to have 54 units that are going to go on this very small piece of property," and questioned the cumulative number of new units proposed nearby.

The Town Attorney responded in part by saying the zoning change occurred previously and that this stage is now limited to site‑plan approval, noting, "All this is ... at this point is site plan approval." The attorney also said the town vetted the new company proposed to build the project and that earlier concerns about a prior developer had been considered in past hearings.

Animal‑shelter donations, volunteers and specific cases The board heard several comments related to the town animal shelter. Jerry Marino, commissioner of the Department of General Services, described item 18 as acceptance of a donation from Best Friends Animal Society to send two town employees to a national conference in Palm Springs on fostering, adoption and advocacy; Marino said the donation covers $3,810 in travel costs for two employees.

Multiple commenters urged faster action on individual animals and volunteer disputes. Diane Madden urged rapid transfer of a dog referred to as Titan to a rescue and said the animal’s condition was deteriorating. Janice Blake and Harriet Mediate raised concerns about Blake’s suspension from volunteer duties related to trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) work. Blake described procedural problems when she brought cats to the shelter and asked to be reinstated as a volunteer.

Park safety and graffiti Residents reported vandalism and antisemitic graffiti in town parks, including swastikas found at Rath Park. Residents and speakers urged expanded camera coverage of town parks to assist police investigations and to deter vandalism and other crimes. One speaker urged the board to consider camera technology similar to systems used in other jurisdictions.

Other resident requests Speakers raised assorted operational concerns: requests for curb/sidewalk or roadway repairs in unincorporated Uniondale; replacement of a decorative clock at a town parking field that was damaged in November 2023; and safety netting improvements at Howard Walker Field, where foul balls have reached adjacent streets.

What’s next The board adopted the administrative calendar and closed the formal portion of the meeting; several board members remained afterward to hear extended public comments. No final site‑plan decision on 2283 Grand Avenue is recorded in the transcript excerpt; the Town Attorney characterized the current item as site‑plan review and encouraged commenters to raise technical concerns (setbacks, height, facade, wall placement) in the appropriate review venues.

— Speakers quoted or referenced in this report appeared in the Town of Hempstead transcript for the April 8, 2025 meeting and are listed in the article’s speaker section below.