Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto has directed the town attorney to commence condemnation proceedings on the Engel Street Asphalt Plant, formerly known as Zara Brothers Asphalt Plant, located at 50 Engel Street in Hicksville.

"The town board intends to take every step necessary to rid the community of this blight," Venditto said.

Once the town attorney's office begins proceedings, the next step is for the town board to schedule a public hearing on the condemnation. Following the hearing, the board will vote on the approval of the condemnation.

"A public hearing is an important step in the condemnation procedure," Venditto said. "Under the law, the condemnor ... in this case, the town ... must hold a hearing to inform the public of the proposed condemnation, the proposed use of the site, and the effect of the acquisition on the environment and residents of the community."

Within 90 days of the hearing, the town must make and publish its findings. The town must then make a written offer to the landowner. The owner can accept or reject the offer in full or accept it as partial payment.

"At the public hearing, the town board will discuss, together with the community, future uses for the site, including what benefit the town's acquisition would have and any environmental impacts our acquisition would incur," Venditto said.

The supervisor noted that the property owner is aware of the town's intentions. "This property has been the subject of a lengthy negotiation process between the town and the property owner, with a willingness to buy on the part of the town and a willingness to sell on the part of the property owner," Venditto said. "We have come to an impasse. The only thing left to do is go forward with the condemnation."