Oyster Bay to address zoning for housing

The Oyster Bay Town board will hold a hearing May 17 on the creation of a new zoning classification to allow construction of multifamily residential communities.

If the new zoning is approved, its first use could be for a proposed 390-unit senior housing complex at the site of an asphalt plant on West John Street in Hicksville. A hearing on that project will be held at the same meeting.

"The purpose of this new classification, PUD/R-30, is to facilitate flexibility in the planning, design and implementation of multifamily residential communities," said Supervisor John Venditto.

The new zone would allow for a maximum of 30 units to the acre of any mix of residential multifamily housing types, including units restricted to occupancy by senior citizens and first-time home buyers.

The new classification could only be applied to properties of at least 15 acres that are currently zoned light industrial.

The hearing will be at 7 p.m. at Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay.