Port North Approves Final Written Scope for 41 Acres

By Alice M. Peckelis
(appeared in the 12-15-00, Vol 10, No. 16 edition)

The Village of Port Washington North's Board of Trustees approved, subject to modifications, at its December 11th meeting the Final Written Scope in connection with the application of Sandy Hollow Associates to rezone the 41 acre Dallas Realty property from light industrial to senior citizen housing.

Daniel Weiss, the attorney for Sandy Hollow Associates, the contract vendee of Dallas Realty, read the Final Written Scope which incorporated relevant comments made by residents of the Village after the draft written scope was disseminated to the public. The Final Written Scope is part of the required State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process.

Village Attorney Steve Limmer advised the Board that "all relevant items in the draft scope are now included. This document is now ready to be accepted by the Board so the applicant can proceed to the 1 FEIS E IS' (Final Environmental Impact Statement)."

Resident Marvin Siegel was opposed to voting on the Final Written Scope which had just been faxed to the Village Hall. "You're acting in secret lie said. Give us time to digest it."

Mayor Thomas Pellegrino angrily denied the charge, "We don't act in secret."

Mayor Pellegrino asked Jean Salinder, a principal of JAC Planning, retained by the Village, whether she felt anything had been omitted?

She replied, "They've covered everything reasonably raised. I think it's adequate." She added that "when the FEIS is produced, every relevant comment must be addressed."

Another resident, Robert Keane, said that although lie appreciated the fact that many of the comments he suggested had been incorporated into the Final Written Scope, lie felt it was a conflict of interest for JAC to also be reviewing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and suggested that the Village's engineering firm, Sidney Bowne & Son, be brought in. He also noted that JAC had missed a number of items that should have been included. "A third, independent party is missing from the mix."

Limmer replied that it was not a conflict of interest but rather "a continuation of its use" by the Village Board.

Thomas Imperatore, chairman of the Village Planning Board, which will also be reviewing the documents said that they do use Sidney Bowne and will be for this project. "They have expertise regarding the lay of the land."

Trustee Ross Altman advised, "it is not appropriate to be voting until we digest this," He said lie just got his copy this evening and had not yet read it. "I'm opposed to voting on something received today."

Trustee Gary Levi, noting the extensive effort made by the applicant, suggested that they adopt the Final Written Scope subject to further modifications.

Limmer advised that the "scope sets forth what goes into the DEIS and that there are time constraints under SEQRA."

In the final analysis the Board voted 4-1 to accept the Final Written Scope, subject to modifications.

The Board also approved, after contentious arguments from members of the public, to accept an offer from Chase Manhattan Bank for Bond Anticipation Notes (BANS) at 4% interest to purchase the former Fearon Marine building on Shore Road, owned by the Belanich family in the amount of $550,000 ($100,000 will come from the park fund). Purchase of the property is part of an overall plan by the Village to reclaim its waterfront.

Village Treasurer Don Silver explained that the BANS are in anticipation of permanent financing which will enable the Village to close on the property before the end of the year. He advised that it will cost the average homeowner with an assessed valuation of $10,000 about $20 a year in additional taxes.

Resident Steve Kaplan said the residents were "totally deceived by the Board and by Limmer" when this issue was initially brought up when he said it would only cost $200.

Limmer responded that the costs he cited were only for the adoption of the bond resolution.

Siegel said, "You're buying the cart before the horse," pointing out that until the Lewis Oil rezoning is finalized, there is no reason to commit Village funds to this project. In is no reason to commit Village funds to this project. In exchange for rezoning Lewis Oil, the Village will receive its waterfront property. ?Me Village which recently created its own waterfront district hopes to be part of a walking trail planned in conjunction with Residents For A More Beautiful Port Washington along the waterfront that will extend to Manorhaven Park.

Kaplan criticized the Board for not having an overall plan before leaping into this venture.

However, Mayor Pellegrino advised that Thomas Imperatore has been working on one for more than a year which is not yet complete. He advised Kaplan, in response to his request, that he could get a rough draft of the plan.

Trustee Altman advised there is grant money available for projects like the one the Village is contemplating.

But Siegel was unappeased. He said the Board "was selling our soul ... to give us a piece of Sunrise Highway."

Limmer advised that the contract with the Belanich's is contingent on a closing before December 31 st so it was approved.