Board Concerned With Mineola Building Proposal
By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese
 

The Garden City Board of Trustees unanimously voted to have a representative from the Board and Village planning consultant Buckhurst, Fish & Jacquemart, Inc. attend a Feb. 13th public hearing of the Mineola Village Board to voice Garden City's opposition to a proposed $165 million, nine-story, luxury condominium project.

Mayor Peter Bee recused himself from the vote because the developer is the landlord of the building where his law firm is located and his firm has handled some of the developer's legal matters. The remaining trustees (Trustee Donald Brudie was absent) voted to hire the consultant at his hourly fee of $195/hour, not to exceed $5,000.

The Village has already paid BF&J $4,500 to produce a report studying the possible effects of the project on the Village. Frank Fish is expected to present his findings at the hearing.

Polimeni International is seeking to build the complex, known as "The Winston," on the north side of Old Country Road between Willis Avenue and Main Street. The proposed 285 units, or 140 units per acre, is unprecedented and a substantial departure from the norm. The Garden City building code, for example, allows 36 units per acre. Trustee Nicholas Episcopia, who said he would try to attend the hearing, said it is "way too much." Deputy Mayor John Mauk suggested that the height be reduced to five or six stories.

According to published reports, even though Garden City is against the project, many Mineola residents support the plan due to the favorable impact it would have on taxes. Also, Vincent Polimeni, chairman of Polimeni International, has promised to give the Village of Mineola a $1million grant, as well as build a 36-unit senior housing development on Front Street and a three-tier, 274 car parking garage behind the Winston. The Village of Mineola would have use of the ground level.