I don't claim to be an expert on zoning, but the proposed zoning change from Industrial-B (I-B) to Multiple Residence (RM) requested for the BOCES property makes no sense to me in light of the owner's proposed senior housing development and other proposed senior housing development elsewhere in Carle Place.

On Sept. 12, a hearing was held at North Hempstead Town Hall in Manhasset to consider the zoning change. Due to tremendous opposition and a number of open questions, the hearing was continued to Oct. 3.

The BOCES application asks for a zoning change from Industrial-B (I-B) to Multiple Residence (RM) in order to develop the land for senior housing. Yet, on Aug. 30, 2005 at a public hearing, the Albraco Metals property on Westbury Avenue was re-zoned from Industrial-B (I-B) to Business-B (B-B) to accommodate a proposed senior housing project.

Further, on May 3, 2005, after three continuances, the property at the corner of Carle Road and Westbury Avenue was re-zoned from Residence-C (R-C) to Business-B (B-B) to accommodate a proposed senior housing project.

Why did the owner apply to change the BOCES property zoning from Industrial-B (I-B) to Multiple Residence (RM) and not Business-B (B-B) like the other properties?

Chapter 70 ZONING of the town code online provides for a Senior Residence District (R-S) that the town board may establish as a floating district in the RM, Hospital, Business A, Business B, Industrial A and Industrial B Districts. In other words, although I may be misreading the code, to build senior housing on the BOCES property doesn't require a change from the Industrial-B district. It only requires an addition of a senior residence zone leaving the Industrial B zone intact. There seems to be no need for a base zoning change.

Which begs the question, "Why?" I can only surmise that, based upon my reading of the zoning code, that a multiple residence gives the owner greater flexibility than a business B zone to build whatever he wants without future zoning changes. This includes non-senior residential housing.

As stated and in light of the precedent-setting zoning changes to the other two properties in Carle Place to accommodate senior housing, this zoning application must be denied.

A number of concerned community members led by Ed Rice are circulating a petition to defeat the zoning change. I urge everyone to take the time to sign it. Call Councilman Troiano at 869-7799 or Supervisor Kaiman at 869-7700 and leave a message to voice your opposition. If you have the time, please attend the Oct. 3 public hearing at town hall in Manhasset to show your support in protecting our Carle Place community.

Thomas Sobczak, Jr.