Members of the Roslyn Board of Trustees recently met with Michael Daly, president of Forest City Daly to formally announce the approval of a special permit for the senior housing facility proposed by Forest City. According to village officials, the project, which is expected to house 250 units, is the first sustainable development to proceed under the Village's Comprehensive Master Plan.

"The Board of Trustees expended precious time and devoted their energies to assure a well-planned project," said Roslyn Mayor Janet Galante. "Speaking for the community, I must congratulate them for their diligence and perseverance in accomplishing a task that covered a period of nearly three years.

"The Planning Board, the Site Review Board and the Board of Trustees have made affirmative decisions in their respective areas of responsibility," the mayor added. "These positive decisions bode well for the senior housing project. There are several conditions that remain to be completed as well as certain other actions relating to the issuance of the necessary building permit. Then the project will become a reality."

Forest City still needs approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals for an area variance concerning the height of the development's proposed buildings. In addition, the senior center's architectural features must be approved by the Historic District Board.

Last week, The Roslyn News listed numerous contributions Forest City must make to the Village of Roslyn before receiving a final certificate of occupancy. Among them were Forest City paying sums of money for the Village's Sewer Reserve Trust Fund, for the general "maintenance, repair and construction of public improvements" in the Village, and the purchase of a roadbed near the Roslyn Viaduct. Forest City has already spent $700,000 purchasing land for the village that previously belonged to the Town of North Hempstead.

Other stipulations that the Board of Trustees listed in its official decision include the building of an easement running over and across the property and along the waterfront to Bryant Avenue.

According to the BOT statement, the purpose of the easement will be for "perpetual and unobstructed public use." The public use of the easement will be subject to regulation by the BOT. Forest City must also provide liability insurance covering the easement in the "minimum amount" of five million dollars.

In addition to the easement, Forest City must build, at its own expense, a waterfront stabilization system, consisting of rip rap and steel bulkheading "with appropriate capping" along the proposed waterfront border of the property. An eight-foot walkway of pavers and a railing along the easement will also have to be constructed. All are subject to final approval from the BOT.

Maintenance of the easement will remain the responsibility of Forest City Daly for 20 years once the certificate of occupancy is issued. Total maintenance will include the repair and replacement of bulkheading, railings, walkways, lighting and landscaping. Prior to receiving the certificate of occupancy, Forest City will pay $20,000 to the Village to ensure such a maintenance project. The payment will also allow the Village to make maintenance repairs of its own if Forest City does not, after a 15-day written notice from the Village, make certain repairs deemed necessary by the BOT. After the 20-year period expires, maintenance of the easement will fall to the Village of Roslyn.