The Manhasset Community Liaison Committee's Presidents' Day Meeting on Sept. 17 was dominated by a discussion of the proposed development of the property under the LIRR trestle on Bayview Avenue and East Shore Road. North Supervisor May Newburger, Planning Commissioner Michael Levine and Dr. George Williams of the North Hempstead Landmarks Commission were invited to the meeting to discuss planning and landmark issues.

After she was introduced, Supervisor Newburger said she would address the Bayview situation. Last week the Bayview Civic Association issued a brochure which was distributed to commuters as they arrived at the Long Island Rail Road station. It was entitled: "Development of a 226 Unit of Senior Housing Facility on the Former Town of North Hempstead Garage Property at Bayview Avenue." The brochure gave the association's version of the history of the property, the probable impact of the proposed development and a list of officials to write to in order to object to the current proposal.

Mrs. Newburger commended the association for informing its members of the proposal, but said, "Your literature needs some corrections." The Town of North Hempstead sold the property in question to a developer in December of 1997. According to the Bayview Association literature, "The catalyst for the sale was the Village of Thomaston's need to finance its repaving and infrastructure program with property tax revenue from a project far larger than existing zoning allowed." Supervisor Newburger called this "as untrue a statement as could be made. The catalyst was the town's need to sell the property that it did not need." She added that the zoning of the property is totally under the jurisdiction of the Village of Thomaston. "We did not give it away," she said, adding that the developer to whom North Hempstead sold the property, Robert Frommer, had an excellent plan for the parcel, with many fewer units of senior housing that are currently proposed. "We sold to a highly regarded developer," she said. "Thomaston gave him a very hard time. He could not get a zoning change so he got disgusted and sold or leased the land.

"As far as the current proposal for the monstrosity, you'll get no disagreement from me. It shouldn't be built anywhere but you'll have to get Thomaston to agree with you."

In the question period that followed the supervisor's remarks, Frances Bourguet asked whether, since it is agreed that there will be a major impact on the traffic in the area, Nassau County might help, since Bayview Avenue at this point is a county road. Mrs. Newburger agreed that it might be worth a try.

Betsey Chesebrough asked whether it was possible that a new United States Post Office could be built on the property but Mrs. Newburger said that the federal government had expressed interest in a parcel of property in Roslyn, not in the Bayview property. In response to a question from Bob Miglis about the possibility of water pollution if the proposed development occurs, Mrs. Newburger said that it should be addressed to the Manhasset-Lakeville Water District. "We are deeply concerned with water pollution," she said. "We live on our reservoir. We don't have a Croton."

Some of the questions addressed to Supervisor Newburger were so hostile that CLC President Eleanor Smith-Laier apologized for them. "We did not bring you here to be attacked," she said. The supervisor replied that she objected to misstatements of facts, not personal attacks.

Terrace Manor Civic Association President Phyllis Clark asked whether villages can do anything they want and Mrs. Newburger said they they can although they do have to go to the county for curb cuts and traffic lights.

Turning to other issues, Commissioner Levine then took the microphone and explained that the responsibility of his department is for building, environmental issues, economic development and preservation of historic landmarks. "My job is to balance these," he said. He explained that the town has just revised its laws concerning senior citizen housing and is in the process of evaluating zoning for single family residences. He said that the town is trying to address the problem of overbuilding. "We will be working on establishing an environmental legacy fund next spring."

Turning to the subject of historic landmarks, he said that the law has been on the books of North Hempstead for 15 years and there are currently 10 designated landmarks. Commissioner Levine said that any person can, for a $50 fee, nominate a site, building or district to be landmarked. The five-member Historic Landmarks Commission will then review the proposal and make recommendations to the town board. "After receiving landmark status, anything that affects the exterior of the building must go before the commission for approval."

Commissioner George Williams said that the commission has developed a video presentation of historic landmarks in North Hempstead which will have its preview at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point in October.