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Residents press Hempstead for enforcement at Islam Center of Nassau site
Summary
Residents told the board the Islam Center of Nassau has repeatedly violated town codes — from parking overflow to unpermitted construction — and said citations have been adjourned multiple times since 2023; town officials said citations have been issued and investigations are ongoing.
Several residents raised longstanding complaints about the Islam Center of Nassau during the public comment period at the Town of Hempstead meeting, alleging unpermitted construction, parking that overflows into neighborhood streets, removal of trees, storage of commercial HVAC units and trailers on a residential parcel, and late-night gatherings.
Veronica Petrella told the board she and neighbors had spent 'numerous hours' contacting code enforcement, the building department and zoning, and that the property—on roughly 1 acre and described by speakers as a historic landmark church—was operating in ways that had invaded neighborhood parking and safety. She said police had been called multiple times and that cases against the facility have been adjourned repeatedly since 2023.
Town officials responded that the buildings department had issued citations to the facility, that violations and stop-work orders have been on the record, and that building commissioner Danny Leo would meet with concerned residents after the meeting. Town Attorney John Macron said some applications related to the property had been denied by the Zoning Board of Appeals and that certain filings and processes remain in place; he cautioned that some matters may involve pending litigation and that town staff must follow procedural requirements if owners deny access for inspections.
Multiple residents later cited a specific ZBA notice (case number 511-25, referenced in public comments) and provided photos they said showed ongoing noncompliance, including commercial HVAC units and trailers stored on the property. The town acknowledged the ZBA denial, said follow-on applications had been filed and denied, and reiterated it would investigate new allegations and take action where warranted.
The town told residents to route specific allegations to Commissioner Leo or their council members, and to expect formal notices if and when zoning board hearings are scheduled. Residents requested clearer, single-point contact for tracking enforcement progress; the board advised contacting elected council members, the supervisor's office or the building commissioner for follow-up.
