RSS 2.0 FeedApril 21, 2011, Bellmore Life
North Bellmore Army base development a done deal
Development to begin on 79 new homes.
Final application of approval for BLF Associates to develop new tract housing at the former North Bellmore Army base on Maple Avenue was recently granted by the Nassau County Planning Commission by a vote of 5-3.
The Town of Hempstead had sued to block developer BLF of Woodbury from acquiring the 17-acre site formerly owned by the U.S. Army, saying the town had signed a “covenant” with the North Bellmore community to develop the acreage featuring 34 single-family units, and 40 senior apartments with a community center.
But the town lost after BLF countersued. The state’s Court of Appeals invoked an ultra vires [beyond authority] decision, saying the town had no right to impose a reuse plan on private property if it didn’t already have such a law on the books.
The plan was then put before the planning commission for scrutiny.
Bob Young, former member of the planning commission, told Bellmore Life the 5-3 vote proved it was not a unanimous decision, saying he voted against the project and two abstained.
Several North Bellmore residents attended the last meeting, still voicing their disapproval that the development of 79 homes was too dense, and lacked vital open space for the community.
Reinaldo Nunez, president of the North Bellmore Civic Association, said that he was disappointed with the planning commission’s vote.
“We [the association] had wanted senior citizen housing included,” he said, and that was taken out of the plan. No parks for open space were included in the plans as well.
But Mr. Nunez also talked about the impact bringing a development into the area could have on the schools.
“Seventy-nine homes with at least one child means 140 new students in our schools,” he said.
Arnold Goldstein, superintendent of North Bellmore schools, spoke at an earlier planning commission meeting, telling Bellmore Life then that the new influx of students from the new development could change busing patterns, as children would need to be bused to several different schools in the district.
Neither BLF nor its attorney returned calls by press time to discuss when construction would begin.
