At the meeting, Woodmere resident Nidia Mondejar was adamant in her opposition to the plan. “Your parking numbers are fanciful,” she said, disagreeing with the presented traffic study that concluded there would be to few vehicles to justify installing a traffic signal at any of the site’s driveways.

Some school district residents did approve of the proposed project, including lifetime Inwood resident Cathhryn Mennellla, who praised the representatives of the project for providing residents with the forum to speak about what is planned. “It is wonderful that this group came a gave us the opportunity to voice an opinion,” Mennella said. “In Inwood no one came to me and said ‘this is what we are going to do,’” she said, referring to past changes in her neighborhood. “I think, personally, this is a good idea.”

Before the residents spoke at the meeting, officials representing the project addressed the audience. Weinstock attacked what he called “popular misconceptions” about the project saying, “It is not a mega-medical center, it is not a hospital, but we will turn it into a first class medical facility.”

The outpatient medical center would operate Monday through Friday beginning at 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The ball fields and other recreational would be paved over for 456 parking spaces. The existing playground will be moved and expanded, Simone officials said. Trees and shrubs are planned to line the property facing the residences on Ibsen Street and Church Avenue, while the exits and entrances for vehicles would only be on Peninsula and Branch boulevards.

An informational meeting hosted by Simone representatives is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. at The Woodmere Club at 99 Meadow Drive in Woodmere.