Oceanside residents debate warehouse

Residents are opposing a rezoning application for an Oceanside property, citing the proposed round-the-clock hours of operation and possible impacts on traffic and property values.

The Hempstead Town board held a public hearing Tuesday on the petition of Neil Ct LLC to rezone a 2.84-acre property, on the south side of Neil Court and Fireman's Memorial Drive, from residential to industrial.

The applicant's attorney, Albert D'Agostino, said the owners hope to have service industry companies fill the planned 20 warehouse units with office space. It would also include one retail space that could possibly house a sandwich shop, but not manufacturing. The parcel was a former sanitation facility, D'Agostino said.

Senior Town Councilman Anthony Santino raised concerns about the proposed hours of operation and advised that the applicant agree to a covenant with specific operation hours.

The three residents who spoke against the rezoning request included Barbara Miller of Oceanside, who was concerned the project would create more traffic and make walking more dangerous for children. Boardman Elementary School is about four blocks away, she said.

"I really don't want to see a hazard built into the area," Miller said.

D'Agostino submitted a letter from the president of the Friedberg Jewish Community Center -- down the block from the property on Neil Court -- who did not oppose the application.

"We are very far back in this industrial area," said D'Agostino, adding the parcel is one of the few still zoned residential.

The town board will research the petition further before making a decision.