Dear Town of North Hempstead Board Members,

There is a level of concern from the Port Washington community residents around recent efforts to change our Waterfront zoning code.

Four years ago, a group of local residents, property and business owners coupled with several town officials (the “Steering Committee”) formulated a zoning code for the Port Washington Waterfront Business District (area stretching from the edge of Dolphin Green Apartments to Louie’s Restaurant). We were recently informed that there is now a draft code with changes to those same current zoning laws which were enacted at the time.

Recently, at a meeting with Councilwoman Dalimonte and some members of the Steering Committee, it became apparent that the proposed changes to the code were in fact significant and could run in contrast to the original intent of the Steering Committee (i.e., to strike a balance between the needs of the community and the property owners).

We have asked for clarifications and believe that several items need to be better explained. This change in the code is significant:

One of the material changes is as follows to 70-148.5(B):

 

 

When unpacking the changes, it brings forth some unique questions:

1. Why is the commercial requirement on the first floor being removed?
2. How are the required additional permitted use options ensuring retail/commercial use when some of those options can be satisfied with a private marina or parking deck (as listed in 70-148.3), neither of which are retail/commercial?

The above change appears to remove the only “requirement” that ensures retail/commercial use within the Waterfront Business District. Because of the unclear nature of the aforementioned, we urge you to postpone the Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, February 11th at 10AM. We respectfully request for a new date for the Public Hearing with an evening time to allow for more participants to attend.

We also request a meeting between several community leaders, Supervisor DeSena and Commissioner Shahverdi, to allow the Commissioner to explain the changes and what impact these changes may have on the Waterfront Business District (before the rescheduled Public Hearing).

The impact of these changes can and will affect the future of our precious waterfront for generations to come. We are not here to oppose development in the Waterfront Business District. To the contrary, we are advocates for the area and would welcome a well-thought-out plan that benefits all involved. We have one opportunity to get this right which will impact generations to come.

Sincerely,

Port Washington Residents