Hempstead Town Notebook: Variances, Courtesy Hotel Progress

Businesses Seeking Construction & Use Variances

Before a Hempstead Board of Appeals hearing concerning a planned restaurant and cabaret at 3500 Sunrise Hwy. in Wantagh, town officials announced they have proposed a town law that would provide stronger public notice requirements for businesses (all commercial properties) that seek construction and use variances. That hearing will be held on June 21.

The proposed law would amend the town’s Building Zone Ordinance and would be the subject of a public hearing at an upcoming Town Board meeting. The legislation would expand the “notification radius” from 100 feet to 300 feet, requiring non-residential property owners with applications before the Board of Appeals to mail written notice of the hearing to all property owners within 300 feet of the subject property. The notice, detailing the variance or relief sought, would have
to be mailed at least 21 days before the hearing and no more than 28 days prior to the hearing date.

Additionally, the proposal would require commercial property owners to prominently display a 4 foot by 6 foot sign, detailing the Board of Appeals hearing date and the subject of the hearing. The legislation calls for the sign to be bright orange or yellow and stipulates the manner in which it must be displayed.

Additionally, at a May 18 Hempstead Board of Appeals hearing, three Hempstead Town Board members asked the local zoning authority to deny the application of "Green 2009, Inc." for a cabaret license for the business.

Murray Highlights Keys to Achieving Development at West Hempstead's Courtesy Hotel

One week after marking the celebrated demolition of West Hempstead's blighted Courtesy Hotel to pave the way for beautiful commuter friendly apartments, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray highlighted that plan while serving as a panelist during the annual Local Government Leadership Institute Symposium on May 19 at Hofstra University. The panel on which Murray participated was entitled: "Government Leaders and Civic Associations Partnership for Growth."

"In the end, this project got done because we all dealt with each other honestly from a standpoint of genuine respect," said Murray. "The sincere and honest advocacy of West Hempstead Community Support Association President Rosalie Norton was the foundation for a successful conclusion to redevelopment challenges at the site."

Supervisor Murray recounted the story behind the redevelopment of the Courtesy property, which was facilitated as a result of the town board's creation of a transit-oriented zone, a prime example of cooperation between elected officials and the community to reach a common goal. In this case, the West Hempstead community eagerly awaits the opening of a splendid development that includes 150 "train commuter friendly" apartments adjacent to the West Hempstead Long Island Rail Road Station.

Construction on the new development is expected to commence shortly after the demolition of the Courtesy, within about five weeks. The end product will be the culmination of hard work and perseverance between the Town, the West Hempstead community and Mill Creek.