At the November 20, 2018 Town Board meeting, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the board unanimously approved an amendment to the town’s zoning code that will prohibit a medical marijuana dispensary from being used as a marijuana retail store, should recreational marijuana become legalized in the future.
The board also adjourned to December 18, 2019 a second public hearing on an additional zoning amendment regarding medical marijuana to December 18. This law would implement zoning regulations for medical marijuana facilities, prohibiting them from being within 1,000 feet of a school, parks, child care center or house of worship; restricting them from being within 500 feet of a town residential district; and limiting the number of dispensaries in the town to two.
A date was set for January 8, 2019 for a public hearing on a third proposed amendment to the Town’s zoning code. This proposal would outright ban the retail sale of recreational marijuana in the town.
Also approved at the board meeting:
- The board voted to extend the building moratorium for the Port Washington Waterfront Business District through July 1, 2019.
- The board approved a gift of a 14 foot Norway Spruce that was donated and planted at the “Yes We Can” Community Center by the Long Island Nets. The newly planted tree will be used for an upcoming Christmas Tree Lighting at the Community Center on December 3, 2018. The Long Island Nets practice at the “Yes We Can” Community Center.
- The board approved the submission of a grant application with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Companion Animal Capital Fund 2018-19. The town’s Animal Shelter has over $500,000 in capital projects that would benefit from the grant. If awarded, the grant would reimburse half of the expenses of those projects, including;
- New kennel enclosures
- New epoxy flooring
- Air conditioning units
- Air exchange system
- New windows
- New waste pump
- Renovate of the multi-purpose room
- The board entered into an agreement with the Community Chest of Port Washington to be a co-sponsor for the Port Washington 5 Mile Thanksgiving Run, which took place Thursday, November 22, 2018. The town provided $2,500 in funding for the event.
- The board also unanimously approved a resolution to suspend parking regulations for shoppers in Port Washington this holiday season on Small Business Saturday, Saturday, November 24, 2018 and from December 7 through, and including, until December 26, 2018 on these dates. Metered parking will be suspended on the following Port Washington roads:
- Port Washington Boulevard
- Main Street
- Irma Avenue
- Maryland Avenue
- Carlton Avenue
The next Town of North Hempstead Board meeting will be a special Capital Work session on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Town Hall in Manhasset.
