Oceanside residents packed a public hearing on Jan. 7 at Hempstead Town Hall to voice their opinions on a proposed townhome development at the Brower Avenue and Oceanside Road site of the Oceanside Jewish Center. The project, led by developer Fieldstone Capital Group, would entail the construction of luxury townhomes on the 4.3-acre property.
Fieldstone envisions a gated development with 59 two-story townhomes and 139 parking spaces, and a traffic-mitigation strategy during construction. The developer, represented by attorney Daniel Baker, outlined plans to rezone the property from Residence B to Residence CA, allowing for the development. The site, which includes the Jewish center and two single-family homes, is currently exempt from taxes because of its religious use.
The Oceanside Jewish Center would cease operations at the current location and the property would be redeveloped. The property would also have green space, fencing around the perimeter and a traffic light at the entrance, and there would not be a payment in lieu of taxes agreement. Fieldstone said it planned to pay upward of $800,000 a year in property taxes when the project is completed.
“As we sadly know, synagogues are experiencing a significant decline in membership, leading to mergers and closures,” Baker said, adding that the development would fill a need for high-quality housing in Oceanside.
Proponents argue that the project would address housing shortages for younger families and downsizing seniors while transitioning the tax-exempt property into a significant source of tax revenue. They emphasized its potential to revitalize the community and provide much-needed housing options.
Baker highlighted Fieldstone’s efforts to involve the community throughout the project’s planning. After a final open community meeting in June, Fieldstone at Oceanside LLC reduced the initial proposal from 90 rental units to 59 owned units and made adjustments based on feedback. A second access point on Brower Avenue was added to the plan to alleviate traffic concerns, reducing the project’s footprint and providing additional green space.
Wayne Muller, a traffic expert with Robinson and Muller Engineering, in Huntington, presented a detailed traffic impact study that concluded that the development would have a “net positive impact” on local traffic conditions, when compared with the synagogue operating at peak capacity.
Town Councilwoman Laura Ryder inquired about Fieldstone’s outreach efforts, indicating the board’s interest in ensuring that community voices were considered, and Baker noted that the project team had hosted a public meeting at the synagogue in June 2024, when it addressed residents’ concerns and incorporated their suggestions into the design.
Long Beach resident Joel Cutler, a longtime member and former president of the Oceanside Jewish Center, detailed the synagogue’s decline. Once boasting 800 members, it now struggles with around 100.
“We strongly believe that approval and completion of this proposed project will allow Oceanside Jewish Center to set a path for its future, but also give back to the community in the form of taxes,” Cutler said. “We believe that, compared to other development uses for the property, the establishment of this townhome project will return property to the tax rolls.”
The leadership of the Jewish center, which has been a cornerstone of the community for decades, emphasized the financial difficulties that have led to the need for redevelopment. Ian Brecher, the synagogue’s president, explained that declining membership and the high cost of maintaining the property have made the project essential.
“We’ve worked with the developer for over three years, and they’ve met with the community many times to modify the project and help meet their needs,” Brecher said. “Speaking for myself and our entire congregation, I vice our supportand vote positive on the rezoning.”
Not all of the attendees supported the project. Some raised concerns about traffic congestion, density and its environmental impact. Oceanside resident Frank Wassenbergh painted a grim picture of the potential consequences of rezoning, describing the development as a “bad deal” that would benefit private parties at the expense of the community. Wassenbergh warned that such rezoning could set a precedent, leading to overdevelopment in Oceanside.
“Oceanside is not Queens,” he said. “Many of our residents have come here to escape the massive overdevelopment of the city. It’s kind of comical to maker an assertion that this would be helping the town.”
Wassenbergh also raised concerns about traffic congestion, particularly in the already busy areas surrounding the site. He claimed that adding 59 units and 139 cars would exacerbate existing problems, turning nearby streets into “virtual raceways” as residents tried to navigate the area. He also noted the strain the development could place on School Four, Oceanside’s smallest school zone.
But several community members voiced strong support for the project, citing the need for new housing and the financial challenges faced by the Oceanside Jewish Center. Sean Cirillo argued that it would provide much-needed housing options in an area where affordability has become an issue, and has led many young families to leave.
“This development is a thoughtful and much-needed addition to our community,” Cirillo said. “It aligns with our housing needs and provides a positive investment in Oceanside’s future. The estimated cost of $800,000 per unit reflects a positive investement in our communityand aligns with our housing needs.”
But Resident Michael Strong voiced skepticism about Fieldstone’s assurances.
“I am a father of four who moved from Queens to get away from the traffic,” Marks said. “I don’t see how adding these units will help the situation.”
Town Supervisor Don Clavin concluded the hearing by announcing that the public record would remain open for written comments until Feb. 4, at 10:30 a.m., when the board could vote to grant or reject the variance request.