Developers seeking to build a five‑story, 58‑unit mixed‑use building at 2150 Grand Ave in Baldwin presented a detailed package to the Town Board on Dec. 9, including architectural plans, traffic studies and community‑benefit commitments, while neighbors and civic groups offered both support and opposition.

Attorney William Bonesso described the proposal as a transit‑oriented project sited about 350 feet north of the Baldwin Long Island Rail Road station. The plan calls for 58 units (49 one‑bedroom, nine two‑bedroom), approximately 609 sq. ft. of retail (a bagel/coffee shop), a community room available to local groups, a small pocket park, and a $210,000 community benefit payment for off‑site improvements. Bonesso said the team extensively engaged the Baldwin Civic Association, Chamber of Commerce and municipal providers and noted a favorable Design Review Board report recommending consideration.

Architect Salvatore Ferrara described siting choices to move the building away from residential rear yards, a non‑combustible construction approach, materials that reference downtown brick character, and a small public park intended to both protect neighbors and create street activation. Transportation consultant Wayne Muller (R&M Engineering) submitted a Dec. 2025 parking and traffic analysis arguing that the site's proximity to the LIRR station reduces parking demand; the code requires 49 spaces while the project proposes 45 and requests a four‑space variance.

Board members asked about assigned parking, commercial parking dedication, and school impacts. R&M engineering cited standard studies (Rutgers and Institute of Transportation Engineers) and an internal study projecting about five school‑age children generated by the project (0.07 per one‑bed unit and 0.16 per two‑bed unit), which the consultants said would be financially covered by the project's tax contributions. The Baldwin Civic Association and Chamber offered formal support in the record; several neighbors challenged outreach adequacy, raised safety and parking saturation concerns on Grand Avenue, and asked the board to table the matter until more community outreach and a site visit.

The developer and consultants reiterated community engagement and design changes that they said addressed local comments. The board did not grant final approvals Dec. 9; instead members moved to reserve decision pending the required local 'special' (sometimes referenced as 'secret') determination. The roll call to reserve decision carried unanimously. Counsel and the supervisor noted that further steps and any special determinations must be completed before a final approval is issued.