(L to R) Trustees Dennis Donnelly and Nick Episcopia with EPOA President, Walter McKenna, prior to testifying at the Town of Hempstead Public Hearing on the Lighthouse Project, September 22, 2009 On September 22, a delegation of current and past officers and directors of the Eastern Property Owners’ Association attended the day-long Hearing on the proposed Lighthouse Project and changes to the Town of Hempstead’s Zoning Code. Representing the EPOA were President, Walter McKenna, Vice President, Judy Courteney, Treasurer, Karl Schmidt, Directors Leo Stimmler, Mathilde Bellmer and Bob Orosz, as well as Past President, Dorothy Episcopia, and former Directors Sue Ellen Davis and William Bellmer.

Mayor Robert Rothschild, along with Trustees Nicholas Episcopia, Dennis Donnelly, Andrew Cavanaugh and Lawrence Quinn, Village Administrator, Robert Schoelle, and Robert Grover, from the consulting firm of Greenman-Pedersen retained by the Village to review of the proposed Lighthouse Project, represented Garden City.

Also in attendance were Estates POA President and Chairman of the Joint Conference Committee, Brian Daughney; Estates Vice President, Kathleen Auro; Central POA President, Pat DiMattia; officers and directors of the other POAs, Robert Cunningham, Chairman of the Garden City Board of Zoning Appeals; and many residents from the East as well as other sections of the Village.

At issue are proposed zoning changes for Mitchell Field that would allow the 5,000,000 square foot Lighthouse development to be built as proposed. The plan includes renovation of the existing Coliseum, and construction of 1,000,000 square feet of Class-A office buildings and 500,000 square feet of retail space, as well as multi-family housing.

After showing a promotional video, Charles Wang presented the Town Board with 4,000 additional pages of environmental material prepared by his consultants and staff, and demanded that the Board review and approve it immediately in order to meet his October 3rd deadline for a decision on the zoning. The Board made it clear that Mr. Wang’s timeframe for review of the 4,000 pages submitted on September 22, would be impossible since review of the 6,000 pages he submitted early this summer is still in progress.

Following speeches by labor leaders, Mayor Rothschild, Trustees Nicholas Episcopia and Dennis Donnelly, EPOA President Walter McKenna, and Village consultant Robert Grover were called to speak. Citing the deleterious environmental and economic impact the 5,000,000 square foot development will have on Garden City and all surrounding communities, they voiced strong opposition to short-circuiting the environmental review process that by law, must be completed before zoning changes are enacted.

The four hour afternoon session was closed to public comment while the Town Board pressed Mr. Wang, his partner, Scott Rechler, and their consultants for specific answers to specific questions on a number of serious items, including the number of structures and towers of all heights actually intended for construction, and the type and pricing of the new housing units. Vague, convoluted responses evoked more questions, and at times, heated exchange between the Board and the developers who insisted that their studies show that the Lighthouse will have no adverse effects on traffic, water quality and supply; sewage disposal, or local downtown business districts, and that the two 36-story towers will not be visible to any residential neighborhood.

In response to Mr. Wang’s demand for “certainties rather than questions,” the Board asserted their responsibility as elected officials to obtain “certainties” from him, in writing. Mr. Wang refused to agree to pledge, in writing, that the first thing he would do is refurbish the Coliseum; that he would keep the Islanders on L.I.; that he would not sell the development rights without the Town’s approval of the purchaser; and that he would commit to retaining firms that would employ local workers, all of which the Town Board wants included in the ground lease because they are standard clauses.

Trustee Lawrence Quinn, liaison to the Village Environmental Advisory Board, Leo Stimmler, EPOA representative to the EAB, along with and EPOA Past President, Dorothy Episcopia, who currently chairs the EPOA Committee to Monitor Development Outside of Garden City, were called to speak during the evening session packed with boisterous union members and Islander fans who shouted at anyone who did not say “Meet me at the Lighthouse.”

Despite the crowd, Trustee Quinn and Leo Stimmler pressed on to voice valid concerns about environmental and economic issues. Dorothy Episcopia objected to the developers’ demand that the Town Board fast-track the required environmental review; advocated responsible controlled development; and in light of hours questions and non-answers in the afternoon, suggested that the Town allow the Coliseum renovations and supporting development to go forward, but hold off on the rest of the zoning changes until Mr. Wang and his associates offer “certainties” that the Board properly seeks.

The public comment period has been extended. Residents are urged to send emails to the Town of Hempstead at lighthousecomments@hotmail.org or letters to the Hon. Kate Murray, Supervisor, & The Hempstead Town Board, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, NY 11550. Names and addresses should be included in all communications. Anonymous email addresses run the risk of not being taken seriously.