The Seaford Board of Education approved an amended contract at its Thursday night meeting with a developer proposing 55 and older condominium units at a former elementary school property that will now be decided in a Dec. 12 referendum vote.
The revised contract with BK at Seaford, LLC for its condo proposal at the Seaford Avenue School property now stipulates that all units contain at least one person age 55 and older, restricts school-aged children from living there forbids any rentals.
BK at Seaford, a subsidiary of The Engel Burman Group in Garden City, requested that the contract be adjusted for its planned 100-113 condo units on the 5.66 acre property to address community concerns raised at an informational meeting on Oct. 4 about assurances that the complex will be for 55 and older residents.
As a result of the contract being amended, the school board postponed its previously scheduled Oct. 16 referendum vote and on Thursday night set a new date of Dec. 12 to decide the proposed $5.2 million sale of the district-owned land.
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Chris Venator, attorney for the Seaford school board, said the amended contract also includes a restricted covenant that requires all future usage of the Seaford Avenue School property be 55 and older condominium units regardless of who owns the land in the future.
If voter approval is granted on Dec. 12, the "Seasons at Seaford” development would consist of 100 to 113 two-bedroom units that would be sold in the 350,000-$400,000 range and first offered to Seaford School District residents and their parents.
The facility would also include a central clubhouse with a fitness center and outdoor pool. The Engel Burman Group has recently built two similar “golden age” residential communities in East Meadow.
The 1939-built Seaford Avenue School closed in 1981 and was leased to Five Towns College from 1982-1992 and Nassau BOCES from 1992-2010. District officials said the sale of the property to BK at Seaford is approved, an estimated $100,000 in annual maintenance costs would be saved.
Libn.com/2009/02/17/developers-want-lower-age-limit-for-senior-housing
Yes, correct, that is the area zoning, Residential B, with 6,000 minimum s/f lot size. However the school property is zoned for school use (within the Residential B zoning area). Use of the property for anything other than a school, or, its development for any purpose other than either a school or Residential B requires a zoning change, not a variance, but a zoning change. Given the size of the property and its proximity to NY135 and Merrick Road, and to the NCPD Precinct house, the Nassau County Planning Commission must review and approve any zoning change being contemplated by the Hempstead Town Board. See: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Planning/zoning.html
Inquiring minds want to know....please somebody enlighten me. Oh and CW, please..VERY inquiring minds..you were against condos in Wantagh? REALLY? Sippy cup! lol. And everybody, please be safe..lets hope Sandy just stays out at sea.
It's a bad deal for every taxpayer in Seaford. It isn't the pie-in-the-sky powerpoint wonder they tried to sell us at the High School on October 4th, as anyone can see.
See thats whats great about this country you are ALLOWED to change you mind even you did, you moved away and then moved back.. Welcome to the fight against the condos! we could use every voice to stop this. especialy if you have something significant and pertinant to offer in our fight!
Look to the sandpit that used to be the Jones Beach restaurant to see just ONE example of how this can turn out. Who sold that parcel to Trump without the approvals in place? Was it worth it?This is what can happen when you let the "wolf" take control. The District had it's chance..twice. Now, it's "our" last chance to have any say in the matter: Vote "NO!" Is everyone getting prepared for the storm? And don't forget about Hurricane Sandy, either! Be safe.
If the developer ends up with title to a parcel that they can't get their desired approvals for, they'll just have to get different approvals which would not be a more egregious departrure from current zoning. I've said it before and I'll say it again - the district is not the arbiter of land use, regardless of how many believe they can be. The money is on the table - take it!
Does Seaford have a PLAN B for these kids when school opens? IF this storm is as BAD as many are predicting this could have serious repercussions on many levels. @Phil Franco if your reading this -Pls share any info you may have in regards to cedar creek
I say NO, and let them bulldoze the dump. Make more fields for out children and the people who will buy your home somedays kids. Think about that??? ANd the teachers will get their raises anyways and get a few more free days off thanks to Sandy.
Unless you think it right the kids in the neighborhood should have to navigate Merrick Road, and then a long walk to a field, or Sunrise Highway, a dangerous crossing for an adult, let alone a youngster..and than a nice hike..to use a field. That's all gone by the wayside, in the name of some dubious financial return for the district. Peoples' mistaken notion that this proposal is some manna from heaven. Some quick shot deal that's gonna save the planet. Lessen their tax load. Wrong. Grandpa of 8, you are absolutely right. They should have a field. An open place that'll be here, if future generations have need for it. That they can't, or to be truthful WON'T come to some sort of compromise, be it SFH's, or ANYTHING other than this terribly thought up mess in such a small area is really beyond me. I hope people realize that and vote this down so we can go back to the drawing board.
Seriously, our neighbors south of Merrick are in dire straights right now.. We need to step up to the plate and help them all in any way that we can. Does anyone know of an "organized" effort to assist? I just got back online, but power still out here..
Hope the inside looks as good as the outside did. These kids have enough to worry about at home and dont need their school to be a disaster also.
Hotly contested developments in larger towns are NOT as dense as the "bottom line" proposal for this small residential neighborhood. And, how do you "enforce" a covenant that "runs with the land" when it doesn't agree with current zoning? Sec. 4, there's your bait & switch! What will really end up being built here, if we're stupid enough to vote for this with the developer "holding title" after zoning for condos is "denied?" Why put ourselves in that position, with no more votes to stop something else we don't want? The district admits that this sale will NOT reduce our taxes. Will they spend the proceeds wisely? If the past is any indication, don't bet on it! Mr Aldrich may be enjoying that generous salary bump prior to his recent retirement, but tell the others not to line up at the ATM just yet.. Seaford residents aren't fools. That's why we live in this desirable, kid-friendly small town, and we intend to keep it that way.
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/state-orders-removal-of-storm-damaged-vehicles-1.4272831
Reality check 4:30 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012 So let me get this straight - children of the school district are supposed to do without sports, regents review, summer reading and god knows what else just to appease a few people who don't want neighbors behind them like the rest of us have. Boo hoo. The needs of the many supercede the bull...... Of the few.