FOR RELEASE:                                                                               CONTACT: David Chauvin

December 22, 2006                                                                                     (516) 869-7794

NORTH HEMPSTEAD TOWN BOARD APPROVES NEW CASSEL OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT

Manhasset, NY (December 22) – North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Councilman Robert Troiano today announced that the Town Board at its meeting held on December 12, 2006, had unanimously (7-0) approved a resolution creating a new Zoning Overlay District for New Cassel.

“This is an important action taken by the Town Board,” Supervisor Kaiman said. “The Community Development Agency’s review authority over development in New Cassel has lapsed, and establishment of this overlay district will codify the design guidelines and performance standards developed by the CDA to further the goals and objectives of the Urban Renewal Plan.”

The boundary of the newly established New Cassel Overlay Zoning District is the same as the Urban Renewal Area and is inclusive of the area north of Union Avenue/Brush Hollow Road, west of Wantagh Parkway, east of School Street and north of Railroad Avenue.

An overlay zoning district binds all properties within a specific geographic area to a common set of additional requirements including:

FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES:

· Sets screening requirements for all service areas and for mechanical equipment, television antennas, satellite dishes, or other communication antennas.

· Establishes additional, more stringent landscaping requirements.

· Expressly prohibits liquor, video arcade, laundromat and adult use stores.

· Establishes façade standards that regulate building materials and limit the use of “blank” walls.

FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES;

· Prohibits dwellings from having more than one garage.

· Requires that basements or cellars not include kitchens, bedrooms, or storage areas which exceed six feet in any horizontal dimension, or bathrooms with three or more fixtures.

· Establishes that stairways may not extend from the outside of a dwelling to the basement or to the interior living space

These requirements are intended to reduce overcrowding by limiting landlords’ ability to create illegal apartments as well as to establish standards for the type and manner in which businesses operate. Any property owner within the overlay zone seeking a building permit or looking to change the use of the property will need to comply with the requirements of the overlay zone

Councilman Troiano said: “The Town is working to restore and beautify New Cassel’s downtown area. The overlay district establishes requirements designed to protect residents’ quality of life.” “This is an initiative that was supported by the New Cassel community as evidenced by petitions received by the Town Board. I’m delighted that the Town listened and voted unanimously to establish the New Cassel Zoning Overlay District,” he added.

The CDA will be available to offer guidance to property owners and answer questions with respect to compliance with the new guidelines. CDA can be reached at (516) 621-6770.