Town Board keeps Oceanside synagogue rezoning request open until Feb. 4 after public comment

The Town of Hempstead Town Board on Jan. 7 held open a rezoning application for the former Oceanside Jewish Center at 2860 Brower Avenue, keeping the public hearing open until its Feb. 4 meeting after more than an hour of presentations and public comment.

The applicant, Fieldstone at Oceanside LLC, is seeking a change from a Residence B district to a Residence CA district to build 59 two‑story for‑sale townhouses. Attorney Daniel Baker of Greenberg Trowrigg told the board the proposal would return the property to the tax rolls and said the developer reduced the project from earlier proposals after community meetings. “The proposed development would be the right fit to replace OJC with much needed high‑end for‑sale townhomes,” Baker said.

Developer representatives described the project and the changes made after public input. Civil engineer Christopher Voorhees said the site plan provides two driveways—one on Oceanside Road at an existing signal and a second access to Brower Avenue—and includes preserved perimeter trees, a 20‑foot building setback and on‑site fire hydrants. Traffic engineer Wayne Mueller told the board his firm’s October 2024 traffic impact study found the 59‑unit plan would not create a significant traffic impact and that, on a daily basis, a fully functioning synagogue would generate more peak‑hour traffic than the proposed residential use.

Real estate consultant Barry Nelson said the 3.9‑acre site now produces no property tax because it is tax‑exempt as a religious institution; he estimated the completed development would generate about $810,000 in annual property tax revenue. Nelson described likely price points and unit sizes, saying two‑bedroom units would be roughly 1,745 square feet and three‑bedroom units about 2,023 square feet; he gave a price range for two‑bedroom units and three‑bedroom units consistent with recent sales in the area.

The proposal drew both support and opposition at the microphone. Supporters, including current members and leaders of the Oceanside Jewish Center, said declining membership and building upkeep make redevelopment necessary. “We have a declining membership and it has become too costly to maintain our buildings,” said Ian Brecher, president of Oceanside Jewish Center.

Opponents raised concerns about traffic, school capacity and neighborhood character. Resident Frank Wattenberg called the plan “overdevelopment,” said the project would worsen existing traffic congestion and said he would submit a PowerPoint and a petition signed by nearly 350 people. Michael Strong, a parent, cited emergency‑response concerns and said school overcrowding made him oppose the project. Several neighbors asked for guaranteed design and construction mitigation measures—screening, evergreen plantings, rodent control and limits on construction hours.

Developers and their consultants said they had repeatedly met with neighbors, reduced the number of units over time and added the Brower Avenue access after community requests. Baker said the team was willing to discuss reasonable covenants and mitigation measures.

Town staff and the town attorney noted the planning commission had not yet submitted its recommendation. The board voted to keep the hearing open and reserve decision until its Feb. 4 meeting.

Next steps: the board will accept written comments and consider any planning commission or other agency input before making a final zoning decision on or after Feb. 4.