Kevin Walsh, co-counsel on behalf of 550 Stewart Avenue, LLC and 550 Stewart Avenue Acquisitions, LLC, came before the village board and public for the first time July 8 to present construction plans for what's become commonly referred to as the "old Newsday building."

The proposal has been informally presented to the Eastern Property Owners' Association (EPOA) and Raymond Court residents, many of whom encourage certain residential uses in that C3 District. Walsh's clients, as mentioned above, own two parcels in that zone - the site of the former Newsday building, which existed next to the headquarters of the U.S. Marines before being demolished, and the vacant parking lot across the street. The two sites in question total close to 10 acres; the vacant lot is 4.5 acres while the former Newsday site totals 5.29 acres.

The proposal entails erecting 36 attached, 2,100 square foot single-family dwellings, including a garage for each, on the northern side of Stewart Avenue. Walsh believes the dwellings would appeal to empty nesters and newly married couples. "The market is strong and the location would exist in a true residential R-6 zone, which we border upon," he said.

On the southern side of Stewart Avenue, the proposal includes constructing a five-story, 160-unit apartment building scaled back from the main road. "There is really no clear delineation of when you've entered Garden City," he said. "We want to create a situation, possibly using landscaping, lighting and pillars, where people will realize this." Walsh also noted the proposed residential construction is the most consistent in bridging an R-6 zone with an industrial area.

The project architect, who also spoke before the board last Thursday evening, said the complex would exude a Georgetown court atmosphere, with smaller neighborhoods within the overall site and cobblestone streets and garden courts. Brick/stucco would cover the dwellings and the entranceway would offer a Victorian flavor. "We're looking to create an atmosphere," he said.

Peter Menoudakos of Raymond Court believes most of his neighbors want trustees to seriously consider surrendering the area to residential use. "The last thing Raymond Court residents would want is a commercial building in their backyard," he said.

Trustee John Mauk, after absorbing the preliminary plans and residents' comments, asked Walsh why the board should introduce zoning for residential uses in an already established commercial area. Walsh believes such a use would have far less impact on traffic as opposed to, for example, an office building. He cited statistics: if left commercial, 150 cars could congest the area during peak hours when compared to only 30 cars for a 36-unit attached single-family dwelling.

Existing uses in the C-3 Zone include office use, uses that mimic what was already built on the site and several special exceptions like a car repair shop, a theater and a warehouse, including others.