North Lawrence transit-oriented development sparks strong community debate
The transit-oriented development plan for North Lawrence and Inwood remains a hot topic for residents, who expressed their strong opinions at a Town of Hempstead board meeting on Sept. 17 — even though the subject was not on the board’s agenda.
Four people addressed the board about the proposal, with three opposing overdevelopment and one championing the plans.
In 2019, the Town of Hempstead approved zoning changes that would allow for the establishment of a transit-oriented development district in Inwood and North Lawrence. The original plans called for apartment buildings to be constructed near the Long Island Rail Road stations in Inwood and Lawrence, meeting the demand for housing to be close to mass transportation.
But the plans came to a halt in 2022, when a moratorium was put in place. The moratorium was extended until June 18 of this year, and the town held a public hearing on July 2 to decide how to move forward.
During the Sept. 17 meeting, Woodmere resident Martin Goldberg said he was proud to support this new development in the Five Towns.
“I believe we need more housing in the Five Towns,” Goldberg told the board. “I don’t believe the small amount of additional traffic would significantly impact the current traffic situation in the Five Towns. Some young people want to live in the same neighborhood as their parents and extended family, and this project will fulfill that need.”
Goldberg said he doesn’t see a downside to this project and hopes to see it come to fruition.
However, Hannah Schuster, a Lawrence resident, expressed concern about how the project could negatively impact her neighborhood and asked town officials how they intend to respond to the proposal.
“Despite the expectation of the resolution that we are still waiting, this delay can expose our community to threats,” Schuster said. “The neighborhood has been left in a vulnerable position with no clear direction from the town on how it will be resolved.”
A the residents of the Five Towns await an answer of yes or no to passing this, she urged the board to realize that every day that passes without a decision increases the risk of detrimental development.
“The community remains under the persistent threat with no assurances that corrective action will be taken against our environment, infrastructure and safety,” Schuster said. “The transit-oriented development and related districts were adopted without proper adherence to the State Environmental Quality Review Act.”
Zvi Bornstein, from Far Rockaway, told board members that his children attend schools in the Five Towns and the traffic is already a problem.
“It’s so difficult going down West Broadway or even down Peninsula (Boulevard),” Bornstein said. “It’s really hard to get to school unless you plan ahead. If there’s going to be continuous development in the Five Towns, the situation is just going to get worse. This is something that I am very much against.”
He said the proposed development would likely increase traffic volume, adding to the already heavily congested area. Bornstein also alluded to the possibility that the overdevelopment of these communities would be akin to adding a sixth town.
Lawrence resident Joseph Lipschitz, who previously spoke at the July hearing on the proposal, reiterated his disdain for overdevelopment of the Five Towns.
“It’s so obvious for anyone that drives around our neighborhood that you can’t move, or get in and out of the village at any time,” Lipschitz said. “When this was proposed in 2019, very few people were aware of it and knew about it. Now the whole community is aware and speak out about it.”
He compared the possible construction of a five-story apartment complex to those that are built in Brooklyn — which is overdevelopment that doesn’t belong in the Five Towns.
“We expect more from our representatives,” Lipschitz said. “This does not belong where it was planned and a change has to be made.”
In 2019, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who was then a town councilman, played a huge role in approving zoning changes for a transit-oriented development district in Inwood and North Lawrence.
At the public hearing in July, about 40 residents voiced their opposition to overdevelopment, and the town board voted to approve a 30-day comment period on whether the transit-oriented development plan should be rescinded.
The board is expected to render a decision at its October meeting, with the date yet to be determined.
Have an opinion on overdevelopment in the Five Towns? Send letter to
pschug@liherald.com.
