On Feb. 8, I attended the Glen Cove Master Plan community input meeting held at the Glen Cove mansion. The meeting was a packed house of passionate citizens and area residents with something on their mind and a willingness to express it.

I want to reiterate the point of view I stated at the meeting, particularly in response to a few individuals who expressed concern about the prospect of a 160-foot tall residential structure to be built at what was called the Glen Isle site within the larger waterfront redevelopment area.

I think the architectural design of the planned structures is masterfully suited to the site. The residential buildings in question rise in multiple stages with substantial setbacks. Only a small percentage of the building's footprint rises to the highest level and the entire structure blends into the background of the Garvies Point Ridge line. Because the design works so well at this particular site, it affords the opportunity to retain about 30 percent of the entire Glen Isle site for open space and parks that are accessible and valuable to all of the people of Glen Cove. This design is so much more desirable than low profile construction on a larger footprint which creates little more than a community of cement. The way I see it is that the greatest dividend to the citizens of Glen Cove is the opportunity to enjoy the waterfront at Glen Cove Creek for its natural beauty and the vitality that comes from an area that people can enjoy by walking, playing, or sitting outside. Furthermore, with the residential buildings buffered by Garvies Point Ridge, I don't see why their height would be objectionable. When you are at the creek, you look out to the water. The water view is what most people crave. The buildings would barely be visible upon entering the city, and, in fact, would not be in anyone's sight line from most vantage points within Glen Cove.

I think the Glen Isle plan should be adopted as an element within a larger master plan. The Glen Isle phase should go forward now so that the people of Glen Cove and the City of Glen Cove can begin enjoying their dividends of smart growth ASAP.

Donald Brown