Some 75 residents attended a Feb. 1 meeting at The Sterling to discuss Darshan Bagga's revised application for a "lodging" place at 594 South Broadway, the site of the former T.J. Courtney's restaurant. Despite plans to remove the proposed kitchenettes, residents are still set against a hotel of any kind.

Late last year, residents voiced their opposition after rumors circulated that the application, filed with the Oyster Bay Town Board in August 2004, called for the construction of a facility to be used as "transitional" housing for immigrant families (Hicksville Illustrated News, Nov. 5, 2004.) A week later, however, Bagga announced that he would rescind his application; no withdrawal was ever made. Instead, Bagga announced that he plans to tweak the application, removing the kitchenettes. As of press time, town officials state that no formal changes have been made to the application.

Bagga hosted Tuesday night's meeting in an effort to understand residents' concerns and work toward a reasonable use for the property. In a Jan. 21 letter sent to residents and members of the Hicksville Gardens Civic Association (HGCA) executive board Bagga stated, "Unfortunately, before I had the chance to meet with members of the community, many rumors were spread which unfairly depicted my proposed development as transitional housing for immigrants. In reality, the development is a legitimate 44-unit hotel which would be operated and staffed by a national chain, catering to the needs of visiting professional men and women in the community."

The letter went on to say, "We want to develop a beautiful building such as the Marriott in Syosset. At no time did we suggest that this hotel would be a transient home for immigrant families who are transitioning here from abroad. I do not believe, nor do I think that you believe, that this would be proper use of the property. In order to confirm this, we are removing all kitchenettes from the proposed hotel."

What Bagga is now proposing is the construction of a two-story nationally franchised lodging place, such as a Holiday Inn or Comfort Inn, on a little over an acre of property. The facility would include 44 guest rooms/suites - without kitchenettes - a restaurant, computer room, exercise room, indoor pool with Jacuzzi, gift shop and conference room, all of which would be exclusively for hotel guests. In addition, the facility would include underground parking with 64 spaces.

Bagga's attorney Jeff Forchelli, who spoke at the meeting on behalf of his client, said there is a need for additional lodging places in the Hicksville area due to the redevelopment of the Grumman property and business in the surrounding area. "The need has been justified by people in the hotel industry," he said.

Residents, however, do not see the need for another hotel, especially since there are already three within a two-mile radius of the proposed location. Others do not feel a hotel is suitable for the site, regardless of what corporation it is run by.

"I like my quality of life the way it is," said one woman at the meeting. Another added, 'Why is it always in Hicksville? Everything gets dumped in Hicksville."

But most importantly, they are concerned that Bagga's facility would be converted into an extended-stay or boarding house for immigrant and low-income families if it didn't flourish as a hotel.

Forchelli and Bagga both stated that the facility would be strictly for business and out of town guests and would not be used as Section 8 (welfare) or extended-stay housing.

When some discussions got heated, Forchelli told residents, " We are not here to debate. We are here to listen. This is in your backyards. Near your homes."

To that, one resident stated, "If that's the case, listen to us. We don't want it." To that, the room erupted in applause.

As it currently stands, Bagga must revise his application and resubmit it to the Town of Oyster Bay's Department of Planning and Development and the Department of Environmental Resources. In addition to a special use permit, Bagga also needs site plan approval from the town. Before the application is voted on, a public town board meeting will be held. No date had been set as of press time.

However, according to Richard Pfaender, a Hicksville resident and assistant to Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto who was present for the meeting, "This project will not be entertained by the Town of Oyster Bay; there will be no hotel on this site. We've listened to the community. This is not the right proposal for this site."

Pfaender's comments brought the meeting to an end.