Village of Great Neck Plaza trustees voted unanimously last Wednesday to approve a conditional-use permit for Danny Arbusman, president of Jewels by Viggi at 65 Middle Neck Road, after over three months of discussions.
Arbusman applied for a conditional-use permit in June to convert the second floor of his building into two apartments and add a third floor, which would house two more apartments.
Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender said the project would help benefit and develop the village’s downtown area.
“This kind of very modest addition will bring more residential development in the downtown in a way that is very consistent with the development that is in our village,” Celender said. “I think it is a very beneficial project and an enhancement to the village.”
“We want to encourage this kind of development,” she added.
Village Attorney Richard Gabriele said the permit agreement would be sent to the Nassau County Planning Commission for review.
Due to upcoming winter weather, Arbusman said, he would send building plans to the village’s Building Department by Christmas and wanted to begin construction next spring.
Also at the meeting, the board approved two conditional-use permits for new restaurants in the village.
Mizu Asian Restaurant, a Hibachi-style Asian cuisine eatery, will be located at 68 Middle Neck Road and Watami Sushi, a Japanese restaurant, will be located at 25 Cutter Mill Road.
While the restaurants were approved for conditional-use permits, Celender said both need to obtain further inspection approval from the Water Pollution Control District and Nassau County Health Department to open.
Also at the meeting, the board approved a Community Development Block Grant agreement with Nassau County worth $208,255 for improvements to areas on Maple Drive.
Celender said the grant money would go towards the re-pavement of Maple Drive and new seeding for trees and vegetation along the street.
The money is available to be spent once a signed agreement was returned to the county, Celender said.
She added that the infrastructure improvements “were long-lasting and will service the village very well.”
The next Village of Great Neck Plaza board meeting is on Oct. 21.
