Residents, predominantly those residing in the East, made it quite clear to County Executive Tom Suozzi that they don't, under any circumstance, want multi-family housing constructed on the current site of the Social Services Building, 101 County Seat Drive.

To accomplish the goals of his real estate consolidation plan, Suozzi's requesting that the Village of Garden City re-zone the area, which currently only allows for public use, to provide for residential uses if the county were to sell the property to a private developer.

He's suggested "upscale" multi-family housing on the site, because it could produce a significant amount of revenue for the county and create a transition from the existing single family homes and commercial properties in the area, but has come against much opposition from potential neighbors. "I have zero interest in putting anything but upscale housing in that area," Suozzi assured.

A Kingsbury Road resident, who lives just a block away from the Social Services Building, is skeptical. "Unless you're there every day you're not seeing it. It's easy to live in a different area [of this village] and say, 'oh that's ok, it won't be so bad.' But when you're living there day to day with the traffic and everything else, it's a disgrace and not what Garden City should be about," she told trustees.

Residents wanted Suozzi to assure them that once the property is turned over to a private developer, upscale housing will be constructed. As a former mayor of the City of Glen Cove, Suozzi told residents, "If the mayor doesn't want to see something happen in the community, it's not going to happen. We're not going to get into any fights with this community," he said. "We're here to present what we think are realistic plans that accomplish the goals the county has set out and respects the wishes of the people of Garden City."

The county has undergone numerous planning changes to reach the best possible solution - a solution that meets the common goals of both the county and the village. "If we can achieve that, great, if we can't I've got plenty of other problems I have to work on in the county," Suozzi admitted.

He added that he wants to understand the reasons why people are so against multi-family housing or multi-story parking garages. " It can't be just because that's the way it's always been. That's what happened with Nassau County government. That's the way it's always been and that's how it ended up the way it is."

Residents, however, did not relent. Some even shouted out, "No multi-family housing" during Suozzi's brief PowerPoint presentation. After hearing, loud and clear, the angry voice of the people, Suozzi said he's willing to abandon his theory that multi-family housing is the best direction to take. "I'm happy to go with the will of the people," he said.

Approximately 96 to 98 single-family homes with a maximum 3,200 square feet per home could be constructed if the village zones the area R8. Further, approximately 175 town houses, with an average 1,800 square feet per town house, could be clustered in the center of the site with open space surrounding it. An apartment structure, no more than three stories high, could provide approximately 311 units at 1,200 square feet per unit.

Mayor Barbara Miller noted that the board would not vote on this at the next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17, because the full board will not be present. She did however say a decision may be made at the following board meeting, scheduled for Thursday, March 4.

Trustee Peter Bee, chairman of the board's P-Zone Committee, assured residents that neither the county nor the village is looking to create "affordable" housing at that site.

Perhaps a Bayberry Avenue resident said it best: "We're not against residential. We're against multi-family residential."