New Hyde Park Mayor Lawrence Montreuil said the village’s rule barring parking between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. is fundamental to maintaining the character of the village and is not subject to change, after a resident voiced concern over the rule at Tuesday’s board meeting.
“What we have always strived to do is have a clear demarcation between suburbia and the city, because we’re right on the city line here,” Montreuil said. “That is really such an elemental issue of sort of defending the character of the village.”
The resident, Kimberly Coyne, said she has lived in the village for 18 years.
She said the rule, which Montreuil said has likely been in place since the village became incorporated in 1927, may be outdated in 2018.
Coyne said there are no deliveries or garbage pick-ups between those hours.
Coyne added that nowadays people have varying work schedules, and the rule makes it more difficult for families to manage the car shuffle.
Montreuil said the rule is “one of those sometimes annoying sacrifices you make when you live in a village.”
When asked by Coyne if there’s a petition or action that could be taken toward changing the rule, Montreuil said “I don’t think so.”
The rule also helps limit illegal apartments, Montreuil said, an issue he said is rampant in surrounding areas such as Elmont.
It also helps with security, Montreuil said, because when police notice cars out it is a sign that something is off.
Deputy Mayor Donna Squicciarino said living on the border of the incorporated village and the town, she is more cognizant and appreciative of the rule.
“You drive down our block that starts with the village and the street’s clear and open and then around the corner it’s just congestion packed, you can barely pass,” Squicciarino said. “Forget about on a snow day.”
During the meeting Montreuil also updated residents on the Long Island Rail Road Third Track project.
He said residents will begin to see preliminary activity starting including people clearing vegetation in the area.
Montreuil said he has also met with Nassau County Legislators Richard Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park) and Vincent Muscarella (R-West Hempstead) to discuss village concerns and make sure the village remains involved in discussions.
A meeting is likely to be set up soon with Nassau County Executive Laura Curran (D- Baldwin), too, he said.
Montreuil said state Sen. Elaine Phillips also reached out to hear the village’s concerns, adding that he commends Phillips on her continued support for New Hyde Park through this process.
At the meeting Squicciarino also announced a change in the agreement with Little League.
In the past, Little League had more or less an open schedule and free rein to use the fields whenever it chose.
Now, there will be a more consistent pattern so residents not in Little League know when the field is open for use, Squicciarino said.
Under the rule, Little League will not use the fields on Saturdays after 3 p.m.
Squicciarino said that if the schedule needs to be adjusted due to weather cancellations, the board will work with the Little League.
During the meeting the board also heard a special use case hearing by applicant Chris Lynch to construct a three-story self-storage building at 1401 Fourth Ave.
The board adjourned the hearing and the applicant will return at a later meeting when there is more information.
