Plandome Heights residents criticized homeowner Andy Cheung on Monday at a public hearing on a requested one-year extension for a permit to build a house along Manhasset Bay.
The Board of Trustees will make a decision on the extension of the permit for a construction project that began as long as three years ago.
Mayor Kenneth Riscica said any extension would likely include a significant fee increase and weekly inspections.
“Elongated building projects are very disruptive to residents and they’re not very happy about it,” Riscica said. “The village has a strong interest in projects moving quickly and rightfully so.”
The current village permit, which expires in December, allowed Cheung to continue a construction project that began seven years ago when he applied for state permits, said Ed Butt, the building inspector for the village.
Butt opened the public hearing with a presentation to the audience members and trustees, some of whom live near Cheung’s home at 200 The Tideway.
He said the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation permit process set back the construction several years, before Cheung applied for and received approval from the village to proceed with building two to three years ago.
“There have been a lot of delays in the project over the last two years,” Butt said. “There’s been progress in the last 10 to 12 weeks but there’s another one year of work to be done. I think it will get done.”
The homeowner was then given an opportunity to address the meeting.
“The project is moving well right now,” Cheung said. “We’re almost finished with the outside bricks and the sanitary system is almost done.”
Cheung appeared with his new general contractor, Lin Cheung, who said the home’s frame has been completely erected.
Plumbing and electric have yet to be installed, he acknowledged.
Laura Maurischat, a village resident, expressed frustration about the ongoing construction and asked Riscica if the one-year extension would be the last given.
“From what I see, the project is moving in drips and drabs,” she added. “I’m worried a year will slip by.”
Riscica said the village has dealt with comparable circumstances before and described its options as unpleasant.
“If we don’t allow the extension, then it’s very bad for the homeowner. If we do give a one-year extension then we would want to include provisions that sufficiently motivate the homeowner, because the work doesn’t seem to be moving with urgency.”
Cheung’s neighbor, Joanne Anderson, said she was living in her home near the bayside property when Cheung bought it in 2003.
“The fence has been obstructing or partially obstructing the water for years. I’m worried my children will be hurt by the trucks,” she said.
“Cheung is not a good neighbor. He has never lived in the house,” she added.
She then asserted that Cheung intended to sell or rent the home upon its completion.
“Do you plan to live there?” interjected Riscica, directing the question at Cheung.
“Yes,” he said.
Andrew Fietta, Cheung’s next door neighbor, said he did not object to a one-year extension.
“I’ve built two homes and things happen with a domino effect,” he said. “If something comes up you have to hold off everything else.”
The conversation turned to the pending completion of the home’s septic system, which Lin Cheung said was the final project to be finished by the contractor who preceded him.
“Once the septic system is done, I’ll move things quickly,” he said.
“When will the septic system be finished?” Butt answered.
“Two weeks,” Andy Cheung said.
Riscica said that because the village does not need to decide on the extension until December, he will see whether the septic system is finished in the time promised. The intervening time will also allow Butt to look closely at the homeowner’s building plan and give an honest assessment, he said.
“We want to see the disruptive part of this work put behind us,” Riscica added. “In a month we’ll have a handshake on what to do to move forward.”
