Port Washington senior apartments opposed

A proposal to build a 48-unit affordable senior apartment complex in Port Washington is facing opposition and the town councilman representing the area said he plans to vote against the project.

The North Hempstead Housing Authority wants to build the complex on 1.5 acres it owns near Port Washington Boulevard and Harbor Road. But Town of North Hempstead Councilman Fred Pollack, who represents Port Washington, is against the proposal.

"It's too big," he said. "The impact on the neighborhood will be too negatively severe. What they need to do is shrink it. I have no problem building something smaller."

A public hearing is Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at town hall.

If approved, the one-bedroom apartments would house residents ages 55 and older making between 50 and 60 percent of the area's median income, which is $103,000, authority executive director Sean T. Rainey said.

The site is part of a 5.72-acre parcel, which includes the Harbor Homes affordable rental units owned by the authority.

Opponents say in addition to being too large, the building will add traffic to a congested area and take away open space.

"I think the merits are terrific," said Port Washington resident Ed Kaminow, who attended a public forums the authority hosted Saturday. "The biggest objection I have is traffic. The town can't handle the traffic."

A traffic study found that a 60-unit building - 12 more than proposed - would create 31 more daytime and 37 additional nighttime car trips on area roads and traffic mitigation was not required.

Curtis Trinko, chairman of Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington, said the development could create drainage and other environmental problems that have not been properly studied.

A town environmental assessment found no negative impacts, which means no further assessments are needed, said authority chairman Matthew Cuomo.

Trinko's group has not decided whether to support the project.

Not all are opposed. "I think it would be wonderful if I could maintain my own independence and still be near my grandchildren," said Mary Barry, of Port Washington, one of about 30 people at the two forums Saturday.

The final forum will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Port Washington Library.