Update on Appeal Decision, Current Status and Community Requests

Hello All.

I have been meaning to provide an update...

Many of you have likely seen the fence go up around the Gouin-Lawrence-Graber House. As previously noted, this was done by the developer/owner who PLANNED to demolish the house against Town Ordinance as it was still under landmark review; we had just filed our appeal. Neighbors reported it to me, and I contacted the Town of Hempstead who came, spoke with the developer and placed a STOP WORK ORDER on the house (which is the sign on the doors).  We have 90 Days / now less (until early July) to make a case to the Town Council for landmark designation. The house is protected until that time.

Therefore, below are the current plans and we will NEED COMMUNITY SUPPORT:

First, can you ALL please call Fred Jawitz, Building Commissioner at 516-812-3050 and ask him to take the fence down. Let him know that the developer should never have put the fence up as it was still under landmark review/appeal, he was planning to demolish it against Town Ordinance, and we do not want it up in our neighborhood. The grass is now growing around the fence and it is an eyesore. It also leads people to believe that the house has been approved for demolition, which it has not been.

During the Landmarks Preservation Commission appeal process, we had the additional support of experts in the field who felt we had a strong case towards landmark designation and that the Town Landmarks Preservation Commission did NOT adhere to the Town Code in their decision. See attached report of registered, highly credentialed, Architect and Preservationist, Angel Ayon: Architect's Report and the letter drafted by Historic Preservationist, Sarah Kuntz (former Director of Preservation Long Island): Preservationist's Letter. The appeal was denied by the Landmarks Preservation Commission without explanation.

Our next and immediate step is to appeal to the Town Council. We need ALL involved community members to do so. The town codes are in place to serve and protect our communities, ensuring we are able to preserve historic treasures such as the Gouin-Lawrence-Graber House, its related history, and to maintain the historic character and ambiance of our neighborhoods. Here are the Town Council contact numbers: https://hempsteadny.gov/655/Town-Council-Members Please feel free to reference the architect's report and preservationist's letter as well as the historic findings in the presentation previously provided. 

You may also feel free to reach out to Donald X. Clavin, Jr., Town of Hempstead Supervisor. Both he and Councilmember Chris Carini have said they want to "Save Our Suburbs". Let's ask them to do just that! Here is Don Clavin's contact information: https://hempsteadny.gov/directory.aspx?EID=21  

We have other plans such as a RALLY and press conference to be scheduled as soon as possible! Stay tuned for details. We need you to turn out to ensure our voices are heard! 

As a community, we would like to see this through. It is our town and the Gouin-Lawrence-Graber House is its center!

Please comment on this post once you have contacted the Town Council members and, if able, Supervisor Clavin so that we can document the responses. Truly appreciate the community collaboration!

Thank you!