Abraham Poznanski unveiled his plan for 150 Pine Hollow Road, the former Hallock Chevrolet dealership at a meeting of the Oyster Bay Civic Association on May 1 at the Italian-American Club on Summit Street. Mr. Poznanski, is CEO of Northern Management Group L.L.C, and president of Island Properties L.L.C. He is working with Avalon Bay Residential Development to create a residential project in the light industrial area. Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Bonnie Eisler, who attended the meeting, said "light industrial use" has different guidelines than residential or commercial property and would need to go before the town board for a public hearing. Current zoning law allows a building in the light industrial zone to be 50 feet high. A town spokesperson said a change of zone hearing would be needed for the site but that with the new recodified zoning laws, that zoning change for a multifamily dwelling use would result in a limit of 30 ft. in height.

Mr. Poznanski said the Avalon site would be a high end residential development for people who want to downsize, and move out of their homes but still want to stay local. He introduced Jay Addison, of Avalon Bay whose company is currently doing a project in Glen Cove. They build and rent apartment houses. Mr. Addison said his company has created 45,000 apartments n California and New York. They are highly respected, said Mr. Poznanski.

Mr. Addison said Avalon Apartments would be 55 ft. high. It is four stories over a level and a half of parking, but it is still a work in progress. The design is based on Victorian resorts in the White Mountains, in New England, he said.

Councilwoman Mary McCaffrey, who also attended the meeting at the Italian-American Club asked if they were allowing two parking spaces for each apartment, and Mr. Addison said they are using a smaller number, of 1.7 cars for each unit.

Mr. Addison said they plan on having 300 apartments: studios, to 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. "Apartments tax the infrastructure less than single family homes," he said.

"That's an increase in density," said the councilwoman.

Mr. Addison said the apartments would rent in the $1,600 to $3,800 a month range: luxury apartments with a swimming pool. "It will be like a resort," he said.

Judy Barnett, OBCA secretary asked how would they clean up Pine Hollow Road to make it attractive to upscale apartment owners, especially with all the cars and trucks in the area.

Abraham Poznanski asked if she had visited the Hallock showroom. "There's a great view, all open and green. The problem with the site is what alternative use would there be: retail? We didn't want that. It would create a second retail center and we want people to use the hamlet. He said, "It's right for the community. Let's get the best value we can from the site. This is really positive," he said.

"It's a good idea to attract people here with more housing except for the extra traffic and bathroom flushes of adding some extra housing. What kind of impact will that have on the sewage plant?," asked Centre Island Mayor Jack Williams, who is president of Friends of the Bay.

Mr. Poznanski said it has to be looked at. It needs the approval of the town and an environmental impact study has to be done. He added, "Maybe changes have to be made in the infrastructure."

Charles Doering, Oyster Bay Civic Association member questioned the effect of 300 new residents on the village. He said there are currently about 300 affordable apartments along the Lexington Avenue area. He challenged the concept of the about 50 ft. high Avalon Apartments saying it would cause lots of traffic as residents headed for the LIRR in Syosset and Hicksville. "The people in this village are getting squeezed out and squished," said Mr. Doering to applause.

He said to Mr. Poznanski, "You don't live here so you don't know the hamlet is a passive peaceful place that needs protection. You talked about a few of your properties, about 30 and you have 70 properties."

Mr. Poznanski asked him, "Did you bring a checkbook?"

"Did your boss do this in California?" retorted Mr. Doering.

"Charles Wang is losing $10 million a year on the Long Islanders: to keep them here. He has accomplished something in his life and wants to do something here," responded Mr. Poznanski.

OBCA president called out, "Enough," to Charles Doering, who said, "I excuse myself."

Councilwoman Bonnie Eisler took the floor to say that defending residents' property rights was the job of town government. She said, "There are different uses allowed. You [Mr. Poznanski] will have to come before the town at which point not everything will be rubber stamped. That's the forum to see whether these are good neighbor things or if it steps on the rights of the residents." To the audience, she said, "That's your time to speak up. Every property has to conform with the rules of the town."

Later Ms. Eisler said she had been very pleased recently with a hearing in Hicksville when the board considered other proposed plans also under consideration to avoid a domino effect by allowing each plan to be permitted independently without considering the cumulative effect.

During the evening Mr. Poznanski indicated that his method of working on a project was to consult the neighboring homeowners of the projects.

Over 100 people attended the Oyster Bay Civic Association forum that unveiled more of the plans of Island Properties L.L.C. (IP) at a May 1 meeting at the Italian-American Club on Summit Street. The first question asked was by Vinnie Aqualino about what is happening with the Legion building. Mr. Poznanski said it will be moved to behind the planned Gateway Apartments (286 South Street) and will be smaller and will be used as a clubhouse for their residents. It will have replicas of the original plaques with emblems of the three military services that were part of the original Legion building. He said the building was in poor condition and the original cornerstones have to be returned to the American Legion for their use at their new building at 120 South Street.

Fran Leone asked about plans for the Hickey boat storage property and Mr. Poznanski said he had requests to rent the space for short term use. Then Vinnie Aquilino asked what was happening at the laundromat business opposite the Atlantic Steamer Company building. Mr. Poznanski said the East Main Street business needed a "pretty major environmental cleanup. That is the first focus of the work," he said.

Louise Wright questioned the added traffic from all the new housing planned. Jay Addison of Avalon Bay answered that it would be less traffic than a retail use of the site.

Tom Reardon brought up the issue of the new housing units taxing the infrastructure. He said, "Is IP going to help with the sewer, water, fire and ambulance needs of the new housing?" He also said to attract retailers you need foot traffic. Mr. Poznanski said that is the aim of bringing in the

businesses they already have brought in. He said he visited Planting Fields (Arboretum Historic State Park) the previous weekend and said, "We need to get the people coming to the arboretum to visit the town."

Louise Harrison said she was disappointed not to hear about the IP plans for the waterfront. She asked what they estimate as the cost to clean up the Commander site and if it could use Brownfields money for a cleanup; and she also asked if there was a plan to replace the terminals or if IP (the new owners of the business and site) intend to continue to operate the profitable business.

Mr. Poznanski said he realized her interest in the plan, but said, "We have the opportunity to work with the town, state and FOB to figure out what is best to do. We are not a not-for-profit and we expect a fair return although we are willing to do so in the long term." He said we need home heating oil in the area, and added, "Remediation guidelines are different according to what the future use of the site will be."

In talking to waterfront homeowner Charles Gaulkin on the same subject, the Commander Oil site, Mr. Poznanski said, "We don't think the terminal is the best use of the property and we'll look for another use, adding "You shouldn't dictate to us. I'm the property owner. How would you feel if I didn't like your house? What we are doing will positively affect your property values."

Fran Leone asked about the plans for a building between South Street and White Street, saying it will impact on those neighbors. (The plan calls for Uwe's restaurant to become a line of stores on the north side of the parking lot. The project includes taking down some houses north of the lot.) Mr. Poznanski said they would meet with those neighbors as he has in working with the residents of Sampson Street about the Gateway Apartments at 286 South Street, and as he has with people on Burtis Street. His attitude he said is that, "If they are happy it is better. Everybody's rights have to be protected."

Councilwoman Bonnie Eisler said she was concerned with the comments including Mr. Poznanski's when he said, "It's my property." She said, "That's why we have the town government," it has rules to help settle such issues.

Robin Diamond asked Ms. Eisler about town hall parking saying the town employees should park in Fireman's Field. She said she has commuted to New York City for 26 years and is familiar with walking to work.

Mr. Poznanski and Marie Knight (president of the OBCA) both said parking is one of the things being discussed with the town and several groups including the OBCA, IP, the Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Association.

Jean Marotti asked if the schools can hold the increased population which IP's plans would create. Oyster Bay Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Chesterton said it depends on how many more students that means. He said "Roosevelt could take a couple of classes but Vernon is maxed out."

Charles Gaulkin asked the time frame of the IP plans. Mr. Poznanzki said some plans have been submitted to the town; some are only conceptual so that things are being done over the next two to three years. He said the Gateway Apartments plan at 286 South Street is presently being looked at by town hall. He said his former office at 20 Audrey Avenue is completing its renovation; Uwe's plan will be filed shortly; Avalon Apartments is in a scoping process to finalize it for zoning requirements.

Mr. Poznanski summed up his work, "There is an opportunity to do something here. Not everyone is happy with what's being done. We need more people to buy into the process and get involved and we'll have more success." There was applause for his words.