The Island Trees School District and local legislators have reached a compromise with Starwood Ceruzzi, LLC, the company that is developing the 15.8 acres on the corner of Wantagh Avenue and Hempstead Turnpike, regarding the truck entrance that was shown in plans for the property, previously approved by the town and county.

The Island Trees Board of Education and administration have expressed their concerns about these plans at several different meetings since they received a copy of the plans and have since met several times with the developers to discuss their concerns.

The main concern with the truck entrance was that it would be right next to the Island Trees Middle School and the safety of the children walking to and from school every day would be at risk. Also in the plans, on Wantagh Avenue is an entrance and exit for other vehicles, but it is only a right turn in and right turn out passageway. Superintendent of the Island Trees School District Richard Segerdahl stated that they were concerned that motorists who were heading south on Wantagh Avenue would use the truck entrance to make a left turn into since they could not do that at the regular entrance.

"We were very concerned about the safety of children walking to school. We'd rather have no entrance on Wantagh Avenue if that were possible but at least only being a car entrance up closer to Hempstead Turnpike and it only being a right in, right out is a lot safer than having cars crossing Wantagh Avenue trying to get into this large shopping center," said Segerdahl.

Several meetings were held with James R. Pesci Jr., vice president of Starwood Ceruzzi, to discuss the safety of the Island Trees students who walk along Wantagh Avenue on their way to and from school. Nassau County Legislator Dennis Dunne, Town of Hempstead Councilmembers Gary Hudes and Linda Reed, Segerdahl and Island Trees Board of Education members met on several occasions with Pesci and Starwood Ceruzzi architects to review the proposed car and truck entrances.

After a meeting on Aug. 13, Pesci notified the local politicians and the school district that the architects would change the original plans and would now have trucks both enter and exit the property from Hempstead Turnpike.

Segerdahl noted, "We don't have children walking along Hempstead Turnpike so we're very pleased that Mr. Pesci of Starwood Ceruzzi was willing to make this concession for us even though the plans had already been approved by the town and by the county."

Pesci stated, "If we cannot come up with a compromise that will not require a change, if it really doesn't impact us to a great extent, negatively, we're happy to make it to satisfy the town and be a good neighbor." He added that having children himself he understood the safety concerns and, "understanding their needs and them understanding our needs, we were able to come up with a solution that fit the bill for both of us." He noted that they had to make some concessions but that it was in the best interests of the community that they made their decision.

Segerdahl believes that it is not only in the best interest of the community now, but it will be in the best interest of pedestrians on Wantagh Avenue in the years to come.

Island Trees Board of Education President Carl Bonsignore commented, "We are very pleased that Starwood Ceruzzi was willing to work closely with our local politicians, school board, and administration to make the changes necessary to eliminate the truck entrance on Wantagh Avenue for the safety of the Island Trees children and pedestrians."

Segerdahl added that it was especially nice of the developers to make these concessions since they didn't have any obligation to make the changes.

Hudes stated, "Speaking for Legislator Dennis Dunne, Councilwoman Reed and myself, we were all very pleased to hear the good news and we all thank Mr. Pesci and Starwood Ceruzzi for eliminating the truck entrance and making the safety of Island Trees students the top priority."