Kevin Walsh, co-counsel on behalf of 550 Stewart Avenue, LLC and 550 Stewart Avenue Acquisitions, LLC ("550 Stewart"), 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" near Roosevelt Field Mall. This past October, 550 Stewart also presented their plans at an open meeting of the Eastern Property Owners' Association (EPOA).

Based upon residents' suggestions, they have since scaled down their original proposal and request that the village planner, on behalf of the village board of trustees, review the modifications.

550 Stewart owns two parcels in a C-3 zoning district - the site of the former Newsday building, which existed next to the headquarters of the U.S. Marine Corps before being demolished, and the vacant parking lot across the street. The two sites total close to 10 acres; the vacant lot is 4.5 acres while the former Newsday site totals 5.29 acres.

550 Stewart's original proposal suggested erecting 36 attached, 2,100 square foot single-family dwellings, including a garage for each, on the northern side of Stewart Avenue. On the southern side, the original proposal entailed constructing a five-story, 160-unit apartment building scaled back from the main road. 550 Stewart's project architect, who also spoke before trustees in July, 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 appeal.

550 Stewart has now opted to reduce the number of residences from 160 to 150 units, construct the residences as condominium units and reduce the building height from five stories to four stories on the southern side.

Several residents, particularly those living on Raymond Court, hope trustees seriously consider surrendering the area to residential use. Trustee John Mauk, however, questioned why the board should introduce residential zoning in an already established commercial area. Walsh said such a use would have far less impact on traffic as opposed to, for example, an office building. 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.

Trustee Robert Rothschild noted during the Nov. 4 trustees meeting that Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) members are concerned with the proposed development projects on the table for Garden City. "We're looking to the [village's] planning commission to be more involved in reviewing developments before they come to the board of trustees," Rothschild said. "The EAB doesn't see any reason why the planning commission shouldn't be involved."

Although Rothschild realizes the commission is not an agency responsible for "developing Garden City," he does believe the commission should be given development projects globally rather than piecemeal. He further stated that issues come before the board of trustees and sit. Getting the commission involved in an advisory capacity could help, Rothschild added.

Walsh, on behalf of 550 Stewart, stated, in an Oct. 25 letter to the village board, "We are hoping that these modifications will induce you to authorize the village planner to study our proposal to see if it is a good one for the village." Walsh further stated that his clients agree to "pay the cost for the village planner to review this proposal" on the board's behalf.

Trustees must adopt a local law amending permitted uses in the C-3 zoning district to enable 550 Stewart to construct attached housing on the northern side of Stewart Avenue and multiple-dwelling housing on the southern side.

Walsh hoped trustees would have considered the matter at their Nov. 4 meeting. The issue, however, was not on the agenda.