Valley Stream adopts local law to rezone parking lot for 132-unit senior housing at 62-78 Hick Street

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Valley Stream on Thursday adopted Local Law 3‑2026 to rezone 62‑78 Hick Street from a P district to a CA floating multi‑dwelling district, clearing the way for a proposed five‑story senior housing development with 132 units and 112 parking spaces.

The action followed a public hearing during which residents and advocates raised health and access concerns. Moren Anderson, power of attorney and health‑care proxy for her 96‑year‑old mother Mary Flynn, said she had submitted letters from her mother’s treating physician and asked the board to consider “the proposed development may have a significant adverse impact on her health and well‑being” because of disruption, dust and barriers to care. Anderson asked that the medical letter be entered into the public record.

The rezoning drew a mix of questions and reassurances. Joy Jimenez and other residents pressed the board on whether the project would be subsidized and how many units would be set aside as affordable. Tom, identified at the hearing as deputy treasurer for community development, said the developer will apply to the Industrial Development Agency and that the IDA application would require 10% of units to be designated as affordable; he said discussions are ongoing to potentially increase that share. The village and applicant provided unit counts that were stated during the hearing as 124 and later 132 units; the adopted materials state 132 units and 112 parking spaces.

Developer representative Jack Martin told the board that experience with comparable projects shows relatively few school‑age children occupy similar senior developments and that tax revenues from the developed parcel would exceed current receipts. “When a developer does go to the IDA to apply for a pilot, the baseline for the pilot payment is the existing payments,” Martin said, arguing the increase in assessed value would generate revenue for the village and local taxing entities. He also said the design includes landscaping and protective measures to shield the nearby stream and that the developer expects to prioritize Village residents for unit access where legally permissible.

Board members emphasized oversight and compliance. Mayor Fair and a trustee with long fire‑department experience said emergency access and state safety mandates would be requirements of construction and occupancy. The board also confirmed the project will proceed through the county’s site‑plan review process and other required technical reviews before construction begins.

The board moved and seconded the resolution to adopt the local law; roll‑call votes recorded Trusty Tarelli, Trusty Thomas, Trusty Wazac, Trusty Daly and Mayor Fair as voting yes. The series of resolutions related to the rezoning—including designation of lead agency, an unlisted action/negative declaration, and the final adoption and application of the CA floating district—were approved in sequence.

Next steps include county site‑plan review and subsequent hearings referenced by the developer; the board asked that project renderings and technical documents be presented during those hearings. The local law takes effect following any statutory waiting periods and publication requirements.