To: Town of Hempstead Supervisor, Town Board, and the Planning Board

The Problem

The Town of Hempstead is considering a massive rezoning proposal that would transform the Woodmere Club golf course (located along Broadway) into 160 age-restricted condominiums with 426 parking spaces. This represents a nearly 300% increase from the current zoning that allows only 59 single-family homes - zoning that was specifically created to preserve over 80 acres of open space in our community.

This proposal will have significant environmental and quality-of-life impacts that require thorough study before any decision is made.

What We're Requesting

1. Full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Required

Under New York's State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), this development clearly meets the threshold for requiring a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement, not just a basic environmental assessment. The dramatic increase in density and traffic warrants the most rigorous environmental review possible. 

2. Nassau County Must Be Lead Agency

With three towns affected by this development's traffic and infrastructure impacts, Nassau County Planning Commission should serve as the lead agency for environmental review to ensure regional impacts are properly assessed.

3. Independent Traffic and Infrastructure Studies

The Town must hire independent consultants (such as Nelson Pope Voorhis) to conduct unbiased studies covering:

• Complete traffic analysis including Broadway, Central Avenue, West Broadway, and Peninsula Boulevard
• Peak hour studies that capture school pickup/drop-off times and actual bumper-to-bumper conditions
• Regional traffic displacement - where will the additional 426 cars go?
• Infrastructure capacity for utilities, emergency services, and public works
• Full circulation plans that don't involve all traffic onto Broadway, which is already dangerously congested. 

4. Comprehensive Flooding and Stormwater Assessment

Converting an absorptive golf course into dense housing with extensive paving creates serious flooding risks. We need:

• Analysis of downstream flooding impacts
• Mandatory permeable paving requirements
• Full stormwater capture and management systems
• Assessment of groundwater impacts from excavation

Why This Matters

Traffic Crisis: Adding 426 parking spaces to our already congested roads will create gridlock on Broadway, Central Avenue, and surrounding streets. Our infrastructure was not designed for this level of density.

Flooding Risks: Paving over land that currently absorbs rainwater will push flooding problems to neighboring properties and downstream communities.

Inadequate Planning: The current proposal lacks the thorough environmental review required by law. The Town cannot make an informed decision without proper studies.

Precedent Setting: Approving this development without proper review sets a dangerous precedent for future overdevelopment in our community.

What We Want

• Require a full Environmental Impact Statement before any zoning decision
• Let the studies determine appropriate density based on actual infrastructure capacity and environmental constraints
• Consider whether proposed zoning reflects the stated intent of the project - if this is a retirement community meant to have minimal traffic impact, there should be less parking spaces
• Require developer-funded infrastructure improvements including traffic signals, road widening, and turn lanes where studies show they're needed
• Implement proper stormwater management including permeable surfaces and retention systems
• Conduct comprehensive traffic studies during actual peak conditions
• Ensure independent, unbiased environmental consultants perform all studies

The Bottom Line

The Town of Hempstead has a legal and moral obligation to thoroughly study this proposal's environmental impacts before making any zoning decisions. Our community deserves development that enhances rather than degrades our quality of life.

We call on the Town of Hempstead to do this process the right way - with proper environmental review, independent studies, and meaningful community input.

 
SIGN THIS PETITION to request proper environmental review for The Woodmere Club development proposal.

Together, we can ensure responsible development that protects our community's future.