Abraham Poznanski, CEO of Island Properties is preparing to unveil his hamlet plans at a public forum arranged by the Oyster Bay Civic Association. The April date is still to be set.

During county executive Tom Suozzi's recent economic development bus tour of the hamlet, Abraham Poznanski talked about some of his plans. He said he is working toward creating a residential space out of their recently purchased property on Pine Hollow Road, the former Hallock Chevrolet dealership. He said he was waiting to get a Special Use Permit for the site from the town, since it is presently zoned as commercial property. Island Properties sees it as a perfect venue for high end apartments, he said.

Mr. Poznanski added later, that after hearing Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi's comments on affordable housing, that it might be a component of the plan.

In his talk during the tour, Mr. Suozzi said if each of the 35 zones that the county has targeted as areas for economic development added 20 affordable housing units, it would result in a gain of 700 countywide. He suggested they could be put on existing commercial properties, and said a resident's income of $65,000 qualifies for affordable housing.

Mr. Poznanski said the decision to make the Hallock site residential was because, "We don't need another commercial property in that area. There is such a demand for residential housing here and it fits into our revitalization plan to draw people into town, to eat and shop," he said.

Mr. Poznanski said there has been a lot of work going on at Island Properties sites in Oyster Bay. He said at about a dozen of the properties they have been doing environmental cleanups, something that has slowed down people's perceptions of what is happening in the hamlet with their revitalization plans.

At 286 South Street, the Hallock site which has a special use permit for an assisted living facility, Mr. Poznanski said the plans are being finalized for residential use. Lori Horowitz, COO of Island Properties said they consider the South Street property as a perfect venue for senior empty nesters (in the upper middle class and middle class bracket) now living in the hamlet but who want more of an apartment style living space, as their customers. "We see the professional or semi-professional, the widows or widowers, in the 65 to 68 age bracket, retired but agile and active, who don't need additional help at this time, but who are aware of possible needs in the future, looking at the brand new facility as having a home feeling without the responsibilities of home ownership.

"Seniors are very different now," she said. "With longer life spans, they are looking forward to 35 more years of living in the community."

Ms. Horowitz said, "We've had calls from people who say they can't live in their house anymore. This new facility will offer that familiar comfort level and now as the town is being revitalized it will be even better." She said the assisted living facility is adding a new dimension to senior choices. "We don't want to be the same as Harbor House or Oyster Bay Manor."

Mr. Poznanski said there will be some Victorian elements in the South Street facility design. He said he has spoken to Marie Knight, president of the Oyster Bay Civic Association about unveiling his plans at an open forum. Ms. Knight said the meeting date will be announced for sometime in April. Their regular meeting would have been on April 17, but the date will be changed because it is the first day of Passover.

Mr. Poznanski said there is nothing new planned for the Eastern Waterfront. "It's a long term project for the next year or two." He explained, "We were in the acquiring phase, then planning phase and now are in the implementing phase which has included environmental cleanup."

He said that in the contract for 286 South Street, Mr. Hallock was responsible for the environmental cleanup. "He took the long-term approach and has agreed his methods are not working," said Mr. Poznanski. Island Properties will excavate the property to finish the job sooner. "We had about 12 properties to clean up. The Laundromat on East Main Street was a major problem. The Getty station is in the process of being cleaned up. The boat yard on South Street, No. 4 South Street, and the old lumber yard also needed cleanup," he said. "People don't see how cleanup holds up development,"

Mr. Poznanski is looking forward to the opening of Obies Juice and Java. A soft opening is expected this month.

Mr. Poznanski is confident the new Book Mark Cafe site will be well run. "We know the people. They came to us first and when the Book Mark became available we introduced them. They are good service oriented people," he said.

Island Properties is also working on the pink Victorian house on South Street, just south of another property they own, the yellow house, which is a medical office. They will be part of what the company sees as a medical complex. "I am talking to several doctors about relocation," said Mr. Poznanski. Island Properties owns a house behind the two, which he called "a nice buffer".