How to redevelop the Courtesy Hotel site in West Hempstead has caused much controversy in the community with civic leaders lobbying for real estate developer Trammell Crow Residential to purchase the property and build a four-story 176-unit complex on the 2.7-acre site. However, the Town of Hempstead Board opted not to let the sale go forward since they felt the Trammell Crow proposal of 65 units per acre was too dense for the town. The board adopted instead to adopt an urban renewal plan for the area that calls for a maximum of 45 units per acre.

However, in some other municipalities, density doesn't appear to be an issue if the proposed project doesn't impact residential properties. Last week, the Village of Mineola Board of Trustees granted approval to Polimeni International to construct a nine-story, 285-unit condominium complex on Old Country Road in Mineola. The total density amounts to 141 units per acre.

Mineola Mayor Jack M. Martins felt that such a development would not be appropriate for any area in the village. However, he did feel the complex would not be too dense for the area since it is along a major roadway, is away from residential housing and is so close to the Mineola train station. It is believed by the village board that such a development would spark economic growth in Mineola's dowtown area. Many Mineola residents who spoke during hearings for the project supported it because, among other reasons, it would expand the village's tax base. An economic impact analysis on the property concluded that the complex would bring in an estimated $2,848,133 just in school taxes for the Mineola School District.

A difference between the proposed Trammell Crow project and the one approved by the Village of Mineola is that the Trammell Crow project calls for rental units while the Mineola complex calls for the sale of the condo units.

There are examples of other properties in the area that also have densities greater than the Town of Hempstead Board was willing to allow. For example:

Horizon in Westbury - 1.2 acres, 90 units, 75 units per acre

Maple Towers in Westbury - 1.26 acres, 92 units, 73 units per acre

Hilton Hall in Garden City - 2.3 acres, 112 units, 49 units per acre

- Joe Rizza