Town of North Hempstead Approves Building Expansion

Written by Joe Scotchie: jscotchie@antonnews.com Friday, 13 April 2012 00:00

6,800 sq. ft. additions to Greenvale property

The Town of North Hempstead board has unanimously approved a proposal by Green Cove Associates to construct a 6,800 sq. ft. addition to their property at 90 Northern Blvd.  

The approval came on the heels of a New York State Supreme Court decision last May, one that allowed Green Cove to submit a 6,800 sq. ft. application as requested by the town. Originally, Green Cove had wanted to make additions of 10,000 sq. ft. Town officials also told The Roslyn News that there will be a three-layer buffer zone, protecting the property from residential areas. Originally, a one-layer zone was proposed. In addition, town officials said there would be a number of species of trees and bushes included in the property expansion plan, plus an irrigation system that will be in permanent operation. Finally, the April 3 amendment contains compliances that would allow 16 parking spaces to be landbanked.

Next, Green Cove must file building permits with the town before construction can begin.

The building was originally constructed in 1959 on 5 acres of land, with the stipulation that a landscaped buffer remain in place on the property that borders Town Path Road. In 1999, the first expansion took place. In 2010, Green Cove sought a 10,000 sq. ft. expansion. A recommendation by the Nassau County Planning Commission suggested that the expansion be limited to 6,800 sq. ft. This, in turn, is what the town sought and so, Green Cove filed an Article 78 lawsuit. The courts, as noted, upheld the town’s original request.

The application approved by the town board calls for the maintenance of the landscaped buffer along with “replanting of…denser vegetation.” It also calls for the diagonal parking lot behind the TJ Maxx store to be landbanked. Following the 1999 expansion, the buffer zone was, on average, 22 ft. in width. The proposed 10,000 sq. ft. expansion would, by the town’s estimation, reduce that to “four or five feet.” And so, the approved 6,800 sq. ft. expansion keeps the 22 ft. width buffer. The new buffer will be comprised of tall trees, a mature shrubs lawn area, and undulating terrain.

Officials with the Village of East Hills, plus numerous local residents, have had their reservations about the proposal. With the applications approved, village officials said they are trying to ensure that both proper buffers and proper protections are in place for East Hills residents who live in residences adjoining the Town Path Road property.