Misinformation about proposed changes to the Town of North Hempstead code affecting the Port Washington area has been rampant, according to Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte.
The changes would affect the so-called waterfront business, or “BW” district, which covers the private commercial properties extending from Sunset Park to Manhasset Bay Yacht Club and the area south of the Town Dock.
Dalimonte presented the proposed code changes at a meeting on Tuesday night.
Since 2017, the moratorium has been in place in order for the Steering Committee, made up of representatives of numerous residential and business organizations, to discuss proposed changes to the town’s code.
After three years and six extensions, three of which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, the moratorium was scheduled to end on Sept. 14, but was extended to further prepare code changes to be brought before the Town Board.
Dalimonte began the second-to-last meeting of the committee, held Tuesday night over Zoom, by pointing out that the panel had held 22 public meetings about the BW zone and this was the 10th steering committee meeting to discuss the proposed code.
“I have received a number of emails and phone calls demanding that the moratorium be extended yet again, and that the discussion about proposed code be started again from scratch,” Dalimonte said.
She added that some of the attendees may have heard “terrible things about what is being proposed along our waterfront.”
“Unfortunately, there has been a lot of inaccurate, misleading and sensational information being spread throughout the community, in the form of posters, flyers and messages on social media,” Dalimonte said. “One recent example was a poster with a photo of what appeared to be a five-story building, spanning the entire property from end to end. You’ll see shortly how we, as we make our way through the details, the proposed code has several protections against this sort of development.”
Among the proposed changes to the code are the addition of gyms, health clubs, dance studios, grocery stores, retail food use, delicatessen and similar stores less than 2,000 square feet being added to permitted uses and restaurants without direct waterfront access and food use businesses more than 2,000 square feet being added to special uses.
Added to the criteria for the approval of special use include “whether the proposed design will be in harmony with the general architectural character of the surrounding neighborhood” and “whether the proposed design promotes sustainability through the use of elements such as permeable pavements, stormwater quality controls, photovoltaic cells, and energy-efficient lighting and building systems.”
Restaurants will also not be allowed to have outdoor seating above the ground floor of any building.
As for any residential apartment buildings, “at least 40 percent of the dwelling units in any building or site shall be designated senior citizen housing,” and no more than 20% of the total number of dwelling units in a building or site may consist of two or more bedrooms.
Regarding yards, a front yard of at least 10 feet is required for all buildings exceeding one story or 20 feet in height; no building or structure can be constructed with less than two side yards at a minimum of 15 feet between the side of the building and side property line, and a rear yard setback of at least 25 feet is required “where the rear yard of the lot abuts a waterway.”
The final public steering committee meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Oct. 6, via Zoom, where residents can ask Dalimonte and other officials questions about the proposed code. Residents are invited to register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cWqa50ISQJuQuQh2Gh_DxQ.
