Gibson developer back with changes

A Hewlett developer submitted modified plans for his proposed condominium development on Gibson Boulevard to the village’s Board of Zoning Appeals on Jan. 12, after his request to change the project was denied last August.

The developer, Dr. Leonard Bleicher of Hewlett Harbor, directed his attorney, Dominick Minerva Sr., to submit a list of proposed changes that would alleviate the concerns expressed by BZA members and residents.

“They’re extremely substantive changes,” Minerva said. “We tried to accommodate all the criticism leveled by the board at the decision meeting back in August. We also tried to accommodate the objections made by the public. We thought the suggestions made by the board were beneficial and resulted in a much better project.”

According to the modified development plans, the complex’s front-yard setbacks would be increased, positioning the building 25 feet from the curb. Village code requires setbacks to be at least 20 feet.

Multiple parking entrances and exits were also added, in contrast to the single entrance in the original plan. Other additions included decorative lamp posts along Gibson Boulevard, and a handicapped-accessible ramp at the front entrance. The height of the building would remain four stories — three above ground and one a parking lot below ground — but the lot coverage of the development was reduced by more than 40 percent.

Minerva added that Bleicher is willing to reduce his demand for 42 apartments and compromise on a total of 39.

Five years ago, the zoning board approved Bleicher’s plan to build a 35-unit condo complex on Gibson Boulevard. Last year, Bleicher wanted to make the building four feet higher, add seven more units and make them rental apartments, but the BZA denied his request. Board members called the idea of 42 apartments “too excessive” and gave Bleicher three options. He could file an Article 78, an appeal to the state Supreme Court; go back to his original design; or submit a modified plan. Bleicher chose the last option.

Last week, Minerva also submitted to the BZA a parking study done by AKRF, an environmental planning and engineering consulting firm, which concluded that the proposed complex would not increase traffic in the surrounding areas. “Each driveway and intersection would operate successfully during peak driving hours,” said Alex Auld, the senior transportation planner for AKRF.

Zoning board member Sal Pizzolo said he thought the modified plans were a vast improvement over the blueprint presented to the board in August. “They made all the changes we asked,” Pizzolo said. “It’s a thousand times better.”

Some Gibsonites who attended the meeting said they remained opposed to the development, even with Bleicher’s modifications. “These are still minimal changes from what the board denied in August,” said Alan Schaecter, who lives across the street from the site of the complex. “It would be a detriment to this community.”

Other residents said they just want the project scaled down in size. “I’m not opposed to the building,” said Richard Emmert. “Just keep it within the norm of the community.”

The BZA will make a decision on the proposal on Tuesday.