Village of Great Neck consultants continued to propose zoning changes to the village in an effort to improve the community’s core business district at Tuesday’s board of trustees meeting Tuesday.
“The proposed changes will rejuvenate and revitalize your downtown by making it more compact,” said Eric Zamft of VHB.
The proposal made by VHB would zone Middle Neck Road from Hicks Lane and Arrandale Avenue to Baker Hill Road for business use.
“This will create a more modern heartland,” Zamft said.
Mixed-use buildings, with commercial properties on the first floor and residential on the second floor, would also be permitted under the proposed zoning changes, he said.
The purpose of the changes, Zamft said, would be to create a more “walkable downtown.”
“Residents can walk from business to business instead of having to drive,” he said.
Residents had heard recommendations two weeks ago from VHB that would change zoning for Steamboat Road from commercial and residential to only residential.
Steamboat Road residences, VHB engineers said, would be zoned for townhouses.
That proposal drew concerns from residents over the proposed space between townhouses.
“It’s oppressive,” said Charlotte Sear, a Great Neck residents who lives on Steamboat Road.
Similar concerns about Steamboat Road were raised at Tuesday’s meeting.
“It’s too small,” said James Neubert about the space between townhouse. Neubert lives on a street adjacent to Steamboat Road.
Great Neck resident Sam Yellis said the proposed changes, along with the ongoing construction of 7/Eleven on the corner of Middle Neck and Steamboat roads, would result in a drastic increase in the amount of traffic.
VHB engineers said traffic concerns would be addressed by the state-required environmental review of the zoning changes, which would include a traffic study.
Those traffic studies, VHB engineers said, would start within the upcoming weeks.
In other developments:
•The board of trustees unanimously voted to grant a building permit extension for Kings Point trustee and developer Hooshang Nematzadeh to complete construction of-single family houses on 85-93 Steamboat Road
• Village Department of Public Works Superintendent Louis Massaro said demolition of the now defunct sewage treatment plant should be complete in 60 days.
• The board of trustees granted a demolition permit for 12 Tuddington Lane.
