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A Few Clouds Character of neighborhood threatened
Ahead of a highly anticipated zoning board meeting, over 300 people signed a petition to show their concerns about the construction of condos in Lynbrook.
Lynbrook resident Chris Anzalone created the petition to give an outlet for community members to express how they feel about the project that will displace Asahi Sushi. Anzalone wants to point out the historical significance of the property at 161 Union Ave..
“The third story of the mansion was turned into a restaurant in the 50s and has been a restaurant ever since,” Anzalone said. “But the original structure was this landmark house in the neighborhood.”
The nostalgia of this building is one of the few reasons that Anzalone said there is push back against this project. In the petition, Anzalone states, “The proposed housing project threatens not only to displace Asahi, but also to erase the local character and history embodied by the landmark building.” He continues, “This development will directly impact residents, small businesses, and visitors who have come to appreciate the charm and history of our
Anzalone believes the quaint, suburban life is being threatened.
“I walk out on my street and there’s an American flag on every flag post, there’s an ice cream truck that still drives down the street over the summer, and I hear the church bells every day,” he said. “The area is quiet enough for me to hear church bells 10 blocks away and I feel like every development increases density, which takes away from a lot of this charm.”
William Bonesso, attorney of the property owners, said that the owners are “not intending to maintain the building in any way, shape, or form.”
In regards to other projects that Bonesso worked on, he said that words like “landmark” are buzzwords in attempt to delay these sorts of projects. “This is the first time I’m hearing about any sort of historical significance of this building,” Bonesso said.
Although this is the first he’s heard of it, Bonesso said the property owners would not be opposed to incorporating some historical aspects in the condos when they are built. However, this would be done with an architectural review board and has no connection to the upcoming April 27 zoning board meeting.
Anzalone has roots in Lynbrook stretching back a couple of generations. “My family came out here four generations ago from Queens,” Anzalone said. “And they came out here for a very different lifestyle to get away from that congestion.”
Anzalone, along with other community members, fear that the development will set a bad precedent in Lynbrook.
“The integrity and character of our neighborhood are at stake,” Anzalone said in the petition. “And without intervention, we may see our community slowly transform into yet another generic, overdeveloped urban area devoid of its distinctive history and charm.”
He said people are experiencing “defeatism” where they are not fighting back against these sorts of projects. “Every development and every sort of thing that people just let happen changes the entire character of the neighborhood.
“The leaders that are supposed to be protecting our way of life and our community don’t seem to care,” he said. The project estimated to bring in approximately $300,000 in tax revenue. The Village board approved the condos in 2020. “I get it from a fiscal standpoint, but at what cost,” Anzalone said.
According to Bonesso, traffic and congestion will be lower than it is now. Bonesso will present a new traffic study will be presented at the April 27 zoning board meeting. However, Anzalone is still worried that the condos will only exacerbate the traffic issue.
Anzalone hopes that the community can come together to prevent projects like these from happening in the future. He wants to make sure that the “character, rich heritage, and exceptional quality of life” remains.
