Your coverage of the town meeting called by North Hempstead Town Councilman Ferrara and Councilwoman Seeman regarding the proposed rezoning of the property on Herricks Road and Wilson Boulevard from the current “residential” to “commercial” was most informative.
Having attended the meeting and being a resident very near the property under discussion, I find the issues and opposing points of view very interesting but also very self-serving.
Clearly, the owners of the property will gain financially from commercial development of the site.
Clearly, Dominick Grosso will benefit from the commercial development as the proposed plans call for housing his business in a new “office” or similar complex.
Clearly, his existing customers will benefit as they will not have to travel to another location were he to have to relocate.
Clearly, the Town of North Hempstead benefits from an increased tax base from commercial zoning.
Clearly, existing homeowners surrounding the immediate property will not benefit as common sense dictates that property values decline near commercial space.
Clearly, the parents and children who frequent the playground and ball field immediately across the street from the property will not benefit from increased safety risks from traffic congestion which is inevitable with increased occupancy of the property.
With these very diverse personal interests at issue, I ask our elected officials to consider the interests of the local residents who have already seen their property values decline due to the economy. I ask our elected officials to not jeopardize the towns expenditure to develop the Herricks Ball Field and Playground to a wonderful attraction by rising significant increase in traffic volume and rising the safety of the local children.
I ask our elected officials to work with the “business interests” involved and support single family home development, thereby maintaining the current residential designation.
Your article correctly reports that many, many people support Dom’s Deli. No one wishes Mr. Grosso ill, but as a business person he does have the option to re-locate to vacant commercial space only a few blocks away and maintain his customer base.
Dom’s Deli has been operating there for about 16 years and has developed a loyal following in that time. Therefore, I also ask our elected officials why it has taken the Town of North Hempstead 16 years to notify Mr. Grosso that he has been operating in violation of zoning codes.
James Kramer
