CPOA Opposes Bill Bellmer's Land Development Idea

The Central Property Owners' Association (CPOA) is adamantly opposed to any development of the vacant triangular piece of land located on the west side of Franklin Avenue between Third and Fourth streets, citing traffic and "general congestion" among its concerns.

In a March 17 letter to former mayor Rob Rothschild, CPOA president Gary Kahn states that the association's board of directors unanimously approved a resolution opposing development of the village property.

"We are in agreement that the village should preserve and retain as much green space as possible," Kahn states. "Development of this green space would establish unwanted density and visual mass in what is now a pleasant vista on entry to the village."

Poplar Street resident Bill Bellmer made the suggestion at a March board meeting, stating that the development of eight new homes on the property could bring in some much-needed revenue.

"The development of the property a few years ago between Second and Third streets with nine residences shows what can also be done with this parcel," Bellmer stated in a formal letter to the village board of trustees.

He said the new homes, sold for $500,000 a piece, would put $4 million in the village coffers and, based on the average assessed valuation of the new properties between Second and Third, the expected total assessment on eight additional properties would be more than $122,000 with an annual tax revenue of $50,000.

Brudie, who was deputy mayor at the time, didn't like the idea. "God isn't making more property in Garden City," he said. "This is green space ... It's nice to walk around and see green space."

Bellmer said "a possible division in the R-8 district shows a northward continuation of the 20-foot landscaped buffer on Franklin, dead-ending Cedar Place at the drainage area and addition of eight residential properties." Bellmer added that dead-ending Cedar Place was not a requirement to make the project work, just a suggestion.

Kahn said development of homes in that area raises several concerns regarding "traffic, overuse of resources and general congestion." "Open park land likely increases the value of the surrounding homes in this elegant and historic section of the village," he said.

The CPOA board of directors also believe that cutting off access to Cedar Place from Franklin Avenue is "not a viable option." With 22 homes on the street, dead-ending the road would "pose time constraints" for emergency personnel vehicles responding to local calls and that the overall development may also negatively impact the drainage areas going through the property - specifically two village sewers and a county storm drain.

For resident Joe Mohen, the proposal is "appalling."

"Mr. Bellmer proposes to develop the green space where our children play, where we take our strolls in the evening," he said. "When one drives north on Franklin Avenue from Hempstead, when you enter Garden City you notice a complete transformation from completely developed to lush and green. Already the green space on the east side of Franklin is zoned for commercial development, which makes it urgent that we protect the green space on the west side."