Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Waterfront Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
North Hempstead board adopts tweaks to Waterfront Business District code after heated public hearing
Summary
After hours of public comment both for and against, the Town of North Hempstead Board adopted clarifying amendments to the Waterfront Business District code that officials and supporters say will make the waterfront more developable while preserving limits on height, lot coverage and public access.
The Town of North Hempstead Board on Feb. 11 adopted amendments to the town's Waterfront Business District zoning code after an extended public hearing that drew dozens of residents, business owners and property representatives.
Supervisor DeSena and planning staff said the changes are largely technical clarifications intended to make large waterfront sites practical to develop. Planning Commissioner Nancy said the amendments do not change the 30-foot height limit, the 60% lot-coverage cap or the requirement that waterfront projects provide public access; she told the board that notice and procedural steps required by state law were followed.
Opponents said the draft language creates loopholes that could allow predominantly residential developments with limited public waterfront access, citing the Knickerbocker example as a cautionary tale. Michael Gilbert of Manhasset argued the revisions might permit residential projects with private marinas and little public benefit: "The code, the way I understand it, does allow residential units without commercial uses on the ground floor," he said.
Proponents' representatives including the Thompson Trust and several local business groups countered the clarifications are modest and needed to attract developers willing to invest in long-stalled properties. Andrea Cukalas Curdo, counsel for the Thompson Trust, said the changes "allow for mixed-use development rather than forcing mixed use to be stacked in a single building," increasing feasible options for retail, open space and below-grade parking while leaving density and resilience rules intact.
Several speakers urged the board to delay the vote to allow more time for public review; others said delay would only fuel misinformation. Planning and waterfront advisers reiterated that special-use and site-plan reviews will require developers to return to the town with concrete proposals that must meet public‑access and design criteria.
Before voting, Councilwoman Mary Ann Delamonte asked planning staff to notify the community promptly when applications arrive and pledged to revisit the code if future applications reveal unintended problems. The board recorded 'Aye' votes from a majority of members and adopted the amendments. The board also asked staff to accelerate community briefings for future waterfront applications.
The amendments take effect according to the town's adoption timetable; any future developer proposals for Inspiration Wharf, La Parma or other waterfront parcels will still require site-plan review and a special-use permit, giving the public an additional formal review opportunity.
