TD Bank drops plan to build branch in Manhasset

Amelia Camurati
TD Bank withdrew its building and zoning applications to build a new branch location on Northern Boulevard in Manhasset. (Photo courtesy TD Bank)

More than a year after the Town of North Hempstead approved a TD Bank on Northern Boulevard in Manhasset, bank officials have dropped plans to build there.

In the last year, the proposed bank at the corner of Plandome Road was the topic of heated public hearings and board meetings.

A town spokeswoman, Carole Trottere, said Monday that TD Bank had withdrawn its building and zoning applications with the town.

“While we don’t comment on specific details about real estate transactions, we can confirm that TD will not move forward with this proposed Northern Boulevard location in Manhasset,” Matthew Doherty, the bank’s corporate communications manager, said.

Trottere said the bank received board approvals for a special use permit to have drive-through lanes at the building on July 12, 2016. Trottere said the town was contacted by Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwarts, Mineo & Terrana, the law firm representing TD Bank in the land deal, stating that its client was no longer pursuing construction of a new bank branch.

Richard Bentley, president of the Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations, said he heard about the pulled applications Monday from North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Anna Kaplan’s office.

“[Kathleen] Dickson believes the withdrawal is based on a TD Bank-wide corporate strategy change in their prior brick and mortar branches, and not anything specific to the Manhasset site that was in process,” Bentley said in an email.

Dickson, who has been representing TD Bank during the proceedings, declined to comment further.

Members of the council of civic associations opposed the proposed design for the branch as being “too modern” for the area. Council members and bank officials met at least twice to discuss making the proposed bank more in line with the town’s architecture.

During a public hearing last October, the North Hempstead Town Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance removing five parking spaces near the site. Two of the removed parking spots were to accommodate the TD Bank driveway.

The 1301 Northern Blvd. location, a lot currently occupied by a BP gas station, Bellini Furniture, Refresh Nail ‘n’ Spa and Phillips Education Systems, was expected to open in the summer of 2019.

Great Neck, Port Washington and Roslyn Heights are the three nearest TD Bank locations.

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