We are often faced with phone calls and letters from angry, frustrated residents who just can't understand why a village or a town would allow "overdevelopment." Lately, we have received an ever-increasing number of communications regarding the new buildings along the westbound service road of the LIE, the East Shore Road and Arrandale/Middle Neck Road plans in the Old Village, and the proliferation of houses of worship throughout the peninsula. Understandably, in each instance, the irate resident places the blame squarely on the shoulders of the governing body, most often a village. However, in just about every instance, the resident must understand that the blame really lies within state and federal laws; laws that place severe restrictions and limitations on local municipalities.

Generally, the governing board of the village or the town (board of trustees, town council, planning board or zoning appeals board) does not want the intrusive destruction or overdevelopment that is proposed. It is their job, however, to work within the law to obtain the best solution for their constituents. And, with regret, that's all they can do.

As we sadly learned a few years ago, when work is done on the LIE, trees come down in droves, and the Village of Lake Success has no say; it's the call of the NYS Department of Transportation. And they chop away!

When the religious institutions along the LIE decided that this was to be their home, well, there was not much anyone could do about this loss of open space and trees. As per federal legislation, local governments cannot say "no" to a religious institution. Maybe they can try to talk to the organization and limit size or make the building a bit more appealing, and maybe they can use a tiny bit of authority to ensure a decent parking situation; but that's about it.

And while there is no specific legislation limiting destruction of old buildings and putting up massive new structures, local governments are severely limited here too. Yes, there are zoning laws that try to control over-development and unappealing sites, but once a developer wants to buy property and "do it his way," villages and towns can only try to follow their own local laws and make the projects as palatable as possible to the community. And here, too, the local zoning laws are often constrained by state or federal legislation.

If the local boards are too restrictive, the developer will undoubtedly sue. And the developer usually wins; often winning much more than what he had ultimately settled for with the local board. Conversely, when residents try to sue to save the look of their community, they generally lose the battle too, once again often finding a judge who will hit back and offer the developer more than originally permitted. Why? We don't know.

We have always, very forcefully, very publicly, fought against over-development. Occasion after occasion, we have fought, both before the public and behind the scenes, to help Great Neck maintain its beauty, its history, its integrity. Sometimes we have been on the winning side and have helped save a piece of history. Too often, we have seen charming homes torn down and lovely neighborhoods decimated. Too often, we have seen residential forsaken for commercial. With tears, and with rage (yes, rage), we have often watched change for the worse, instead of change for the better. But we do understand why.

Change is inevitable and, like it or not, we must accept it. However, we do not have to stand still when unattractive change is forced down our throats. Writing to state and local officials is one place to start. Reading local zoning ordinances is another good idea. And when you see something you don't like, do call your village (or the town), and ask for someone to explain the options for each proposed project. Become involved in the process and learn what can be done legally. And then let your voice be heard. But, please remember, don't ask for "pie in the sky."

- Wendy K. Kreitzman