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North Hempstead board approves third-floor addition at London Jewelers after zoning variance
Summary
The Town of North Hempstead board approved a site-plan amendment allowing London Jewelers to add a stepped-back third story — 3,471 sq ft of indoor space and a roughly 750 sq ft terrace — after noting a previously granted zoning variance for the building to exceed the 40-foot height limit by 5 inches.
The Town of North Hempstead board on Jan. 14, 2025 approved an amended site plan allowing London Jewelers to add a third floor to its space at the Americana Shopping Center.
An applicant representative told the board the third floor will add 3,471 square feet of indoor sales area and about 750 square feet of outdoor terrace, and will be stepped back roughly 15 feet from the existing facade so the street-level appearance remains two stories. "The 3rd Floor will be an additional 3,471 square feet of indoor sales space," the presenter said, adding that the terrace would give customers an outdoor space to "see the city skyline" and discuss purchases with staff.
The presenter said the addition raises the building height to 40 feet 5 inches — 5 inches above the town’s 40-foot height limit — and that the Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance in September to allow the exceedance. The representative also said the shopping center has a parking surplus that would accommodate any modest increase in visitors and that the project would not change hours, on-site lighting, or landscaping. "We received letters of water and sewer availability from both the Manhasset Lakeville Water District and the Great Neck Water Pollution District," the presenter said, noting only a small increase in water flow for a new restroom on the third floor.
Board members took no substantive public comment and moved to close the hearing. The board then approved the amended site plan by roll call.
Why it matters: The change allows London Jewelers to add customer-facing amenity space while the town retains a record of a variance for the slight height exceedance; neighbors’ potential visual impacts were addressed by the 15-foot setback and existing landscaping, according to the applicant.
What’s next: The approval authorizes the applicant to move forward with the amended site plan as presented. Any additional required permits or building approvals were not detailed in the hearing record.
Vote and procedural record: The public hearing was closed and the site-plan amendment was approved by roll call during the meeting on Jan. 14, 2025.
