Approval for Glen Cove downtown development

Glen Cove's planning board narrowly approved a controversial downtown development Wednesday night, despite the builder's failure to acquire three structures on the site.

In a heated atmosphere that included shouting from residents in opposition, the board approved a site plan application and special use permit for the Village Piazza by a 4-3 vote.

The Piazza, a $60-million project with 142 apartments, 27,632 square feet of retail and a decorative-brick plaza, is envisioned by supporters as a thriving public space to revive the city's core. But at a hearing in June -- and again Wednesday -- a number of residents voiced opposition, citing concerns about traffic, density and the possibility that rental housing might attract transients.

On the eve of a vote last month, planning board members expressed reservations over three single-story office buildings that developer Michael Puntillo is trying to acquire. Moving forward regardless of that concern, some on the board worried, could defeat the purpose of the project, and reduce the plaza's size significantly.

Puntillo, who owns the majority of the land, said he could build around the structures. But some members said the board should not put itself in the middle of his ongoing negotiations.

Members had reserved their vote on the piazza's special use permit and site application until Wednesday night, accepting limited additional public comment before their approval. About 50 people attended, and those who spoke voiced heated objections.

"I didn't move to Queens; I moved to Glen Cove," said Norman Natko, who described himself as a 50-year city resident opposed to the project's building heights of four or five stories.

After starting 30 minutes late, the planning board went into executive session before issuing its decision. Despite voting yes, planning board member Cindy Rogers summed up the prevailing concern.

"It's very hard to call this project a piazza with buildings stuck in the middle," she said.