On March 8 I saw an online article in the Port Washington Times, “Manorhaven blows up over Property”, dealing with a new construction project in Manhasset Isle’s Commercial (C-1) District at 12-20 Matinecock Ave. It appears that the same circus-type atmosphere at the Feb. 28 B.O.T. meeting, similar to the May 23, 2023 Board of Trustees meeting, still continues with people yelling and screaming from the floor without being acknowledged by the mayor.
It is no wonder why the court recorder was beside herself not being able to keep up with the uncontrolled, indiscriminate comments flying around the room. It is also easy to see why hardly any of our residents attend these raucous meetings or better yet have no interest in serving on our various Village Boards.
At the May 23 meeting the four trustees challenged the mayor with various resolutions pretty much similar to the way the mayor and other three trustees challenged their newest trustee, Jeff Stone, as he apparently asked for clarification on the development at 12-20 Matinecock Ave. where it appears local builders are mixing and matching two of our existing zoning laws with the approval of the Board of Trustees back in March 2023.
If our Manhasset Isle residents and our Board of Trustees have read Chapter 155-18, they might have noticed that nowhere in this law does it mention building homes and apartments but rather marinas, yacht clubs, public parklands, etc.
During the building moratorium and my tenure on the Waterfront Committee for almost 18 months during my second term as trustee, there was much concern appropriately displayed by the residents of Manhasset Isle at our numerous committee and village meetings.
It is quite ironic that during the moratorium on building along the waterfront in the C-1 District that then Trustee Popeleski, myself, and the entire Board of Trustees assured the residents that there would not be any construction along Matinecock Avenue in the C-1 District.
Now let’s move forward a few years later where we find that a local builder, who purchased a working marina at 12-20 Matinecock Ave. some years back, is now in the process of building apartments there under the B.O.L.D. for Mixed Use/Live Work Apartments section under Chapter 155.20.1 of our Manorhaven Village Code.
The owner has already had the existing buildings on this marina torn down and removed which appears to contradict the purpose of the B.O.L.D. law which originally allowed for the construction of 2d story apartments over existing commercial buildings, especially along Manorhaven Blvd. and Sintsink Drive East.
More importantly, our March 2023 Board of Trustees, where they granted permission for this project, needed to pay closer attention to Chapter 155.20.1C(3) of B.O.L.D. which specifically states, “any existing industrial uses…….and any uses where toxic chemicals are stored shall not be permitted under B.O.L.D.”
This property at 12-20 Matinecock Avenue had been used as a marina/boat yard for at least 50 or more years and may possibly have contaminants in the soil or groundwater from toxic fluids and chemicals used over all those years in this type of business.
In that same March 2023 article, “The project architect said during the public hearing that site plans are within the village’s code and do not require any variances!”
Our Village should rely on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation being involved with any possible building along the Manhasset Bay waterfront while having proper soil and groundwater testing conducted.
Thypin Steel, just down the street, made every effort during a 14-year period to clean up its property with the help and guidance of the N.Y.S.D.E.C and the Nassau County Board of Health and the health of future residents should be paramount.
One final note, of utmost importance, is how our 60+-year-old, 14-inch diameter, one-mile-long sewer line on Pequot Avenue will be capable of handling another 60 plus toilets, showers, sinks, etc. from added apartments at the two ongoing projects on Manhasset Isle.
We definitely, now more than ever, need village officials who worry more about the future of our village and also its sewer capabilities instead of where the next project may be built.
Ken Kraft, Manorhaven Trustee 2016-2020
