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Port Washington North NY Civic Association

Port Washington North Civic Association











Important
Notes

Next Village Meeting
2-6-02,

Historic Postcards

Follow the SEQRA process. Click here to go to the NYSDEC Page and see an easy flow diagram with descriptions of the State process.

Where are the 41 acres anyway. Click here to see a map.

Click here to read an exec. summary of an open space study by Residents

Now Here
A Monthly addition from the Port Sentinel

The base map was taken from Mapquest.com Click here to get your own map
Maps from Mapquest

 

CURRENT NEWS

OLD NEWS (for older news click here)

July 2, 2002 Site Plan Review of 40 Acres
Apparently there will be a public meeting to discuss the site plan for the 40 acre property. Time is 8 PM at the Landmark. Please call the Village to confirm.

March 2002 Elections Results
 Janet Orloff and Bob Weitzner were elected to serve the community. Thanks to all who voted.

Feb 11, 2002 Village Meeting to Discuss 41 Acre FEIS
The Village met on 2-11-02 to discuss accepting the FEIS. This is part of the SEQRA process. The general public was not allowed to address the Board and the Board approved the FEIS.

The next step is for the Village to file a Notice of Completion, which they did either 2-11-02 or 2-12-02. Based on this date there is a mandatory Public Review Period, which must be at a minimum of 10 days. 6 NYCRR Part 617 (SEQRA Regulations) does not stipulate a requirement to accept written public comments it only states that the public should be able to review the document. Part 617.11(a) states

§617.11 DECISION-MAKING AND FINDINGS REQUIREMENTS. (a) Prior to the lead agency's decision on an action that has been the subject of a final EIS, it shall afford agencies and the public a reasonable time period (not less than 10 calendar days) in which to consider the final EIS before issuing its written findings statement. If a project modification or change of circumstance related to the project requires a lead or involved agency to substantively modify its decision, findings may be amended and filed in accordance with subdivision 617.12(b) of this Part.

After the Public Review period the next step will be for the Village to review the agency/public comments and prepare what they call "Findings" which they then submit to the Nassau County Planning Commission.

A description of the Findings is explained on the NYSDEC website at: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dcs/seqr/seqrsc11.html.

After the Planning Commission comments on the Findings, then the Village could end the process by accepting the FEIS.

The Village will hold a Special Meeting (public supposedly not allowed to comment) where the Village will work on preparing the Findings. They may or may not complete them at this time. The second part of the meeting will be a Public Hearing to discuss the rezoning the 41 acres from Economic A to a newly created Senior Zone. This meeting will be at 7:30 2-28-02 at the Landmark. The Village indicated that the FEIS should be at the library later today and that a copy is also at the Village.

FEIS Modifications
I did get a peak at the draft FEIS and the following modifications were made.
1. Reduced number of units from 327 down to 250.
2.Aa 50 foot setback was used around the perimeter of the property instead of the 10-20 foot setback previously listed.
3. Sandy Hollow will donate $3500 per house to a park fund estimated at $875000
4. Eight acres appear to be donated as open space in the northern portion of the property. More to follow

Feb 5, 2002 CIVIC Annual Meeting
Attention members and soon to be members. The Civic Assoc. will be having a meeting on Feb 5, 2002 at the Community Chest (lower Main Street, across from Town Dock) at 8 pm. We shall discuss development in Port North and the peninsula, Civic News and more. Please come and please bring a check for $25 for the 2002 dues. We have a lot going on and need funds. If you are not a member and would like to donate, please send whatever you can to Port North Civic Assoc, PO Box 243, Port Washington, NY 11050. Look forward to seeing you on the 5th.

Feb 3, 2002 - Blood Drive Community Synagogue - A special thanks the 108 donors that came out to support it.

Read the Sentinel's latest article on King Kullen Parking Spaces and Sizing at 1-25-02 - Village of Port North Adjourns Hearing on Public Parking Spaces

Notes on 12-11-01 Public Hearing - 41 Acres DEIS
There was a public hearing at the Landmark to voice opinions on the 41 acre DEIS. The Landmark was filled. Meeting was delayed because the Village could not get a complete quorum until 7:50. Hopefully Charlie Ratkoski is back on his feet. The meeting was filled with emotion from people stating that seniors should have a place to live to people requiring space for nature. The point of the meeting was to receive comments on the DEIS and its merits not feelings on birds vs. seniors. Written comments were submitted by 12-21-01 from several groups. The next step is for the Village to submit the comments to the Developer and for the questions to be addressed in the preparation of the FEIS (final report). We will keep you posted.

12-10-01 Two Public Hearings - Regular Village Meeting
 There was 2 public hearing at Village Hall to discuss the Fire Dept. Contract and to discuss establishing a local law that limits the hours of convenience stores less than 25,000 sf to the hours of 6 am to 11 PM.

11-12-01 Village Meeting News
The Village met Monday night and discussed many things. Two main points are as follows:

  1. The Village approved the 41 acre DEIS (draft environmental impact statement). This means that the document is now officially available for public comments. There will be a public hearing on December 11th (the second night of Hanukkah) and the public comment period will end 10 days later (as per the NYSDEC SEQR requirements).
  2. Copies of the DEIS can be ordered from the Village for $128.00 as I understand and this will be verified (you can also contact the Village to see how to obtain the document). The document can also be reviewed free of charge at Village Hall and I will see if the Library is getting a copy.
  3. It appears that a 7-11 type establishment has submitted plans to the Building Department to change the Citgo Station (corner Shore and Soundview) into a 7-11. We are not sure on the status of the plan review.

It appears that since the Village has approved the DEIS, it is important that if you: have any comments, or have any question on the thoroughness of the document, or do not understand the key points highlighted in the document, or feel that they missed key items to be considered, or if they did not address all items that were indicated in the Draft Scope that you should submit written comments to the Village. All written comments should be addressed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. More to follow.

Spot Light on Local Residents' Websites

 

10-10-01 Village Meeting News
From the Village Meeting 10-10-01

  1. The Soundview Shopping center parking lot was discussed again and the discussion regarding drafting (or re-defining) the definition of a parking space was tabled.
  2. The Landmark Preservation Commission members were appointed and sworn in. They include George Williams (chairman), Greg Danilek, Mary Snyder, Elaine Berman and Laurence Pinner. Their appointed terms will be placed on the website. This commission was established to establish a historic section in Port North near Mill Pond. The commission will review all building department permits to ensure construction does not jeopardize the character of the historic structures.
  3. Victor Cornelius (professional grant writing consultant) made a presentation regarding securing grant money for potential Village's projects. Mr. Cornelius was retained by the Village for $5000 to make a plan of attack for what grants are available and what the Village may need. His second phase of work will be to prepare the specific grant applications that the Village seeks to obtain after reviewing his first report. His fee for the second part of the work will be 3% of what ever grant money he obtains. If no grants are obtained he is not paid.
  4. Sidney Bowne, the Village engineer was hired to review the draft environmental impact statement from Sandy Hollow Associates (41 acre plot). The Village stated that the draft DEIS will be submitted to the board shortly and that the SEQRA process will resume. Initially the draft will not be available for the public until the Village Engineer has reviewed the document. The next phase would be for Sandy Hollow to revise the draft until it is approved by the Village Engineer and at that time it would follow the SEQRA process for public review and comments. The Civic Association praises this action in order for a third party/independent review of the documents. The Fall 2001 Village newsletter stated that the document is in Village Hall to be initially reviewed and I did not verify if this information is accurate.
  5. The relocation of the Blockbuster drop box public hearing was tabled until the Board of Zoning Appeals reviews the plans for the Soundview shopping center modifications (reconfiguration of parking lot and possible King Kullen expansion/demolition of Pastabilities).

Munsey Park Cleaners Information
Based on the response from the meeting on Tuesday, regarding the Munsey Park cleaners, please note the following. A common point of confusion is that this drycleaner was located in the strip mall with the Genovese on Port Blvd., not the drycleaner one block south of Main Street and Port Blvd. Places for reference as to tetrachloroethene/perc can be found on the New York State Dept. of Health's website http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/environ/btsa/fs_perc.htm
To search for other topics click here http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/search/index.htm

August 13 Village Meeting News
The Village held its meeting on August 13, 01, highlights include: Discussion of Delco Lawsuit, Feron Marine purchase and contamination issues on property, Blockbuster drop box again, repeal of architectural review board and formation of Landmark Preservation Board, Board award Cameron Engineering money to prepare 2 grants for shoreline money, 41-acre property status. All information is presented in two Port Washington Sentinel articles. Click on the articles below to read them.


4-18-01 Town of North Hempstead Civic Meeting Notes
1. Peri attended the Town of North Hempstead Civic Meeting last night and there are two issues that we need feedback. 1. The Town is canceling the Memorial Day fireworks due to safety concerns for the residents. Dolores Sedacca (Director of Public Affairs) is a point of contact at 516-869-7713 if you have any comments.
2. Town of North Hempstead's 7th annual Earth Day Community cleanup program is April 28th from 10 AM to 2 PM. All Civic groups are asked to help pitch in and help. We have not selected an area to cleanup, but it will probably be Bar Beach. If you or your neighbors are interested in helping out, please RSVP to Peri Zausner. All participants get a T-shirt, gloves and bags. We need to know soon, so that we can order the correct number of T-shirts. Tell your neighbors and get involved, it is for a good cause

 

SEQRA, SEQRA, What is SEQRA Anyway
SEQRA is a process that the State prepared for local organizations to weigh the potential impacts of a proposed development. The SEQRA process is involved in the 41 acre project and the Lewis Oil Project. Follow the SEQRA process. Click here to go to the NYSDEC Page and see an easy flow diagram with descriptions of the State process.


Lewis Oil Update

2-2002 Waterfront Remediation
 It appears that Lewis Oil cleaned up the waterfront property by removing contaminated soil and replacing it with clean backfill. The site was graded and a limited amount of rip-rap was placed along the shoreline. Not sure if there is long-term groundwater monitoring at the site and will contact NYSDEC to get an update.

4-18-01 Site Demolition
 Drive by the property now and you would not recognize it. The tanks are down, the buildings are coming down and the site is being remediated for petroleum spills. Nick Acampora, NYSDEC Spill Manager is overseeing the tank decommissioning, removal of undergound tanks and the oil water separator. Mr. Acampora also required soil samples to be analyzed from the bottoms of the former tanks. All information is public record and can easily be obtained to review if you are interested.

11-13-00 Lewis Oil Public Meeting Notes
On November 13, the Village hosted another meeting on the Lewis Oil property development (Bill 10 - Rezoning Lewis Oil Site). Highlights of the meeting include:

  • Before the public had a chance to speak, Mayor Pellegrino read a written statement into the records that was prepared by Trustee Gary Levi (because he was not present). His statement indicated his support for the zoning change (even before all public comments were hear and almost as if there was to be a vote on the matter). He stated 4 reasons for support (1) Village gets waterfront land (2) Eliminate tanks = environmental victory (3) States that the rezoning to a shopping center is in accord with the JAC Report recommendations (4) eliminates other less desirable light industrial uses.
  • The Mayor described that the SEQR process has been completed by an "enhanced EAF Form" , whereby the Village declared a negative declaration (i.e.: no further studies required).
  • A petition with over 300 signatures was presented to the Village requesting that a full environmental impact study be completed. Without a complete and thorough study of the impacts to the Village, on what basis is the Village making its determination. The Civic Association's position has been that the Village should acquire all possible data before rushing to a settlement in order to get the waterfront land.
  • Village is using an older EAF Form submitted a few years ago by the Developer. The Mayor claims that this document has been available for review by the public (at Village Hall) but many residents (who attend all public meetings) stated that this was the first news regarding the study.
  • Basically no new information was presented by Lewis Oil and the floor was open to additional comments by the public. It appears that the Village and Lewis have made an agreement and are awaiting final written confirmation. Look for the next meeting for an approval of the new zone.

 
Do you have any old or historical pictures of Port Washington /Port Washington North you would like to submit to be included in a historical photo page on this web site.  Please send to info@portnorthcivic.com

Please Note

the email was hijacked and was sending out viruses, this was corrected by deleting all old email accounts and making 1 account for the group. 2-25-04

This page was last updated on 2-13-4.
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