For the second time in four years, the Town of North Hempstead’s board of zoning appeals has approved a plan to expand the Lord & Taylor store in Manhasset as well as variances for parking and signage.
The proposal, approved following a public hearing last Wednesday morning, includes a 31,150 square-foot extension to the 125,600 square-foot building and a variance for 519 parking spaces, rather than the 540 spaces required at the site.
Initially approved in 2011, the expansion was not a priority for Lord & Taylor, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the town’s decisions expired.
In early April, Rich Bentley, the president of the Council for Greater Manhasset Civic Associations said he received notification from Howard Avrutine, Lord & Taylor’s attorney for the project, that the company was ready to proceed with the project.
Bentley at the time said the Greater Council supported the plan at the time, but the project was “placed on the back burner” as Lord & Taylor officials sought to alleviate issues with the borders of its parking lot, causing the town’s approval to expire.
“Lord & Taylor has always been a good community member for Manhasset, a good neighbor, and we’re glad to see their business thriving,” he said.
North Hempstead town spokeswoman Carole Trottere said in an email the zoning board conducted a “careful review” of the project prior to approving it Wednesday.
