An application to replace a Williston Park dentist’s office destroyed in a 2014 fire with a larger mixed-use building sparked a debate about village aesthetics and development at Tuesday night’s Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.
About 50 residents expressed concerns that Dr. Joseph Locurto’s proposal to build two floors of apartments on top of his former office at 623 Willis Ave. would set a bad precedent for how five other empty lots demolished after the fire are developed.
“It’s a very slippery slope,” said resident Patricia Lennon, who has heard stories of children playing on nearby streets. The busier Williston Park’s streets get, she said, the more unlikely that will become.
Some, such as Paul Przeniczny, compared the proposed project to downtown Mineola’s new apartment complexes, which they said has changed the neighboring village’s character. Resident Mary Gaisser said she thought the two stories on top of the dentist’s office would “present a looming edifice that will dominate our backyard.”
Residents also raised concerns about a slippery slope for parking spots. Steve Mikhlin, Gaisser’s neighbor, said the 11 parking spots Locurto requested could turn into more than 50 if more three-story buildings come in, which he said would lower property values.
People who lived near the site struggled to find parking spots before the fire, Susan Sciacca said. While the fire was heartbreaking, she said, “if our house burnt down, would the village allow us to add (stories) to earn money?”
Clarence Weigold, the architect on Locurto’s proposed renovation, said the project would “blend with the rest of the buildings on that street.” Adding the apartments would attract young couples to the area and support local business, said Michael Holland, Locurto’s attorney.
Locurto said the residential addition would help him earn back some of the money he lost when his 15-year-old business was destroyed, forcing him to relocate while still paying taxes on the old property.
“That was his whole livelihood,” said Rose Locurto, his wife. “We’re not trying to change the neighborhood or impinge on anyone’s parking.”
The zoning board had issues with and questions about some of the use variance request’s specifics, including the number of parking spaces, the number of apartment units and their sizes, and the size of the lot.
Board member F. Xavier Fleming said he thought the additional stories and the shift from commercial to residential use “enormously significant” and called Holland’s claim to the contrary “ludicrous.”
Zoning board Chairman Brian Cunningham tried to address everyone’s concerns.
“Nobody’s being unsympathetic,” he said to the Locurtos. “This was probably a business owner’s worst nightmare.”
The board tabled the discussion until its Oct. 13 meeting so Locurto’s team could submit more documents, answer questions and reevaluate their requests.
Board member Bill Wiley summed up this decision: “There’s an awful lot of questions here, and I’m just not sure this application is ready.”
Also on Tuesday, the board approved an application from LionSport Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness, a karate and fitness studio proposed for 159 Hillside Ave.
The applicant was Raymond Encizo, owner of LionSport Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness.
Some residents, including Jim and Maureen Howard, voiced concerns about business hours, loud music and parking.
Encizo said his facility closes by 9 p.m. and never gets loud, and he is working out a deal with a parking lot across the street.
“We are a family business looking for a community,” he said. “I see a haven for mom and pop shops (here), and we’d like to be another one. We’re just looking to get people healthier.”
In its previous Franklin Square location LionSport was known for programs that kept children safe and active after school.
Another supporter said LionSport gave memberships and raffles to schools and raised money for community programs.
“When they closed, it was like I lost my family,” said Danielle Saunders, a LionSport member. “I’d really like to see them back up and running in this neighborhood.”
The board will soon issue a written resolution, clearing the way for the studio to open.
