Regarding the proposed zoning changes for the Town of North Hempstead, they must not be passed in their current form.

As a resident of the Town of North Hempstead, I support the effort to curtail outrageous over-development that does not take a neighborhood's style and standards into account. However, as a homeowner, I strongly oppose the proposed solution to this problem.

The proposal severely limits the scope of development, including extensions to homes. This means that in order to add significant space to a home it will be necessary to request a variance, adding to the expense of the project. Also, it will be necessary to pay an architect's fee for the proposal without knowing whether the plan will be approved by the town.

Although the town's proposal was distributed to civic associations, I do not believe that most town residents are aware of the draconian long-term consequences: they will not be able to build much of an extension without going through the added expense and questionable outcome of the variance process.

I myself would like to have the option to add an extension to my home but do not want to be rushed into filing for a permit under the "old" rules.

I hope our elected officials don't force homeowners looking to add a tasteful extension to have more room to either move to a larger house or to move out of town. The last alternative is not far-fetched: with this proposal there will be an increase in the prices of middle and large homes because smaller ones cannot be significantly enlarged.

This plan is especially limiting to homeowners in residential "B" neighborhoods where properties tend to be small. I would hope that these neighborhoods could be exempted from the rule change.

I hope the town doesn't limit the rights of the small homeowner in order to stop development abuses. There must be a better way, either by applying existing rules more uniformly or creating more equitable zoning regulations.

John R. Morse