Property Rezoning Issues Arise at Village Board Meeting

Along with the 2012-13 village budget adoption, another big issue covered at Monday's board meeting was a rezoning/sub-division application for the properties at 11 Marshall Ave. and 601 Merrick Road.

The application calls for an increase to the commercial parking area, as the current owner seeks to sell the properties, which includes business space on Merrick Road and a residence on Marshall Avenue.

According to Alan Stein, lawyer for the property's current owner, the rezoning will actually be beneficial to the residents of Marshall Avenue.

"It will create more commercial space on Ocean Avenue while lessening it on Marshall Avenue," he said. "The only thing left on the Marshall Avenue property after the rezoning will be a house and a garage."

After Stein's comments, several residents of Marshall Avenue voiced their concerns regarding the unknown potential use of the house and garage by the prospective new owner.

Residents' main concern was that the property would be used to house an auto body repair shop, which is not allowed within village limits.

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With Stein unable to confirm the identity of the buyer or what the intended future use of the property is, but pushing hard for the village to allow the issue to progress to the board of zoning appeals, Mayor William Hendrick instead opted to adjourn the hearing until Monday, May 21, in an effort to get answers.

"Your presentation would have been better, Mr. Stein if your client was actually here so we could ask him some questions," he said. "At the next meeting, I expect you to be able to tell us what the new owner has planned for the property. I see you're fighting hard for your client, but I'm stubborn — you're not getting an answer now, and you’re just going to have to live with it."

Hendrick also allayed resident fears regarding the auto body repair shop rumors, stating that, if true, the village will fine the owner daily until they leave.

A similar issue regarding the rezoning/special use application for the properties at 3/9 Merton Ave. and 417 Ocean Ave., which have been purchased by a local hotel and are slated for demolition to make way for parking space, is also being contested by local residents.

However, Hendrick announced that a hearing originally scheduled to take place that evening had been postponed and that all participants had been notified.

"The residents involved dropped off a petition, which we will be looking at," he said. "The hearing may be re-scheduled for June, although we're short of time in June ... it may not be until July, but before then we will be meeting with these people to hear their issues."