After 18 months of planning, Village of Great Neck Plaza trustees passed a law June 1 that will update local zoning to allow new residential development in the business “B” district, pending approval by trustees on a per project basis.
“We’re doing all the things that are now coming into vogue that are transforming communities,” said Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender. “It’s a new vision that we can help to spur the village into the next hopefully economic boon.”
After a review by the county, the issue was left for local determination.
Under the proposed zoning changes, residential units could occupy the top floor of any building. Residents could forego cars or park in municipal lots at night.
“It’s very exciting for everybody,” said Jay Corn, vice president of the Great Neck Plaza Business Improvement District. “I’ll be the first to criticize the mayor and the board of trustees when i don’t agree with them, but with this I will be the first to compliment them.”
Corn said the legislation increases the value of every commercial property in the Plaza by allowing mixed use.
“The existing law allowed retail space to go up one floor but only with office space,” he said. “We have enough office space.”
Goals of the law include increasing the number of residents living in the business district, giving property owners greater flexibility, stimulating economic activity downtown, promoting mass-transit oriented development, and more affordable housing for retirees and younger adults.
“I think it serves a lot of good purpose,” Celender said. “We’re mindful that we don’t want to have impacts on our community, making it overly dense.”
If every commercial property built the maximum number of apartments, Corn said it would mean 1,000 new units.
“But keep in mind, every property owner will not do this,” he said. “I would be surprised if a third do this. The first one or two are going to be a leap of faith. If they do good, then more people will probably do it.”
