(Editor's Note: The following letter was sent to the Westbury Village Board of Zoning Appeals regarding a variance requested by Westbury Manor and is being printed here at the writer's request. According to Village Clerk Tom Savino, the catering facility is seeking to expand the building to relocate its existing office space, add an ADA compliant elevator and increase its lobby - eliminating 36 parking spaces. As a result, Westbury Manor is seeking a variance from the village for the 36 spots.)

I attended the last hearing on this matter and I was shocked at how the residents of our community were treated. Westbury Manor, by their own admission, admits that they currently cannot meet the parking needs of their customers and have to park their patron cars in our residential area. Whether it's six times a year or 60, it should not matter. The list of possible additional parking read at the meeting are mainly a quarter to a half-mile away, which makes one wonder how the valets would get back and forth?

The Westbury Manor argues that the current request does not add to their catering rooms, but will only add an entry foyer and an elevator. The elevator can surely be placed in another location, but one that would impact one of their dining rooms. The new foyer is being added to make their structure more appealing to future customers, which will lead to more business.

I have to ask that if the Westbury Manor stood before your board today asking for approval at one time for all that they have asked in the 16 prior variances, would your board grant the variance? By adding on piecemeal, they have argued that no one variance impacts the community, but when they are all added together you see a structure that has become something it was never intended to be.

It's unfair for our residents to have to be burdened by an ever-growing catering facility in their residentially zoned community. Please do the right thing for the residents and deny this current application. The Westbury Manor has outgrown its current location, and if the Scotto's are not happy with their current return, maybe it's time that they look for a more suitable location where they can build the catering hall of their dreams.

Peter McDonnell

President, Carle Place Civic Association