During the past several weeks, a variety of opinions have been expressed at public hearings regarding a proposed building moratorium throughout Glen Cove. I join the chorus of residents who support the moratorium for a number of reasons.

One can simply observe the out-of-control building of homes, condos and/or townhouses, including AvalonBay and new residences on Landing Road. Unfortunately, there is a perception that builders and contractors are finding loopholes in our city's antiquated zoning codes to get their building lots approved by the city's zoning and planning boards.

I, for one, believe in growth and change for the betterment of Glen Cove. I have always been a proponent of the revitalization of the waterfront. However, I do not believe that every blade of open grass merits a slab of concrete be placed upon it. Nine hundred residences on Glen Cove's new waterfront are not what many residents envision overlooking Hempstead Harbor. There needs to be open space and a greenbelt in Glen Cove for a balancing of Glen Cove's new growth. Many new residents come to Glen Cove for a piece of suburbia away from the hustle and bustle of New York City or the mass traffic jams of the South Shore.

Currently, there is a dedicated group called the Red Spring Woods Coalition which is fighting to preserve the Red Spring Woods area from being developed. I am happy to be a part of this bipartisan group to ensure the protection and preservation of an area that contains a sensitive environmental watershed.

The Glen Cove City Council should implement a moratorium to give the city some breathing room to revisit our city's zoning codes. The planning board would be given the responsibility to review and make recommendations to amend the city's zoning codes if necessary.

There are some city residents, including a local architect, who want the city to re-establish the city's old architectural review board. I favor such an idea. The board should be the first step of a process that contractors and/or developers would have to apply to when introducing new city projects. After the review board's recommendation, the project would then be sent to either the planning or zoning board.

I was appalled at the first public hearing by the bullying tactics that were orchestrated by the waterfront developers and their law firm. Regardless of their threats, the developers are not going to pick up and walk away. They have too much invested in this project.

It's time for the city council to implement a moratorium and take a sensible approach to combining the preservation of a greenbelt and open space with the need for smart business growth in our city. Our city's future generations depend upon it.

Steve Gonzalez