Public Waterfront Hearing Draws Crowd

Over 100 attendees piled into the main chambers of Tuesday for a on the $1 billion, 860-unit development of the city’s waterfront.

Many were eager for a chance to have their voices heard on the project's potential impact on the city, including taxes, urbanization, sustainability and burden on city services, such as schools and traffic.

Glen Cove resident Charlie Bozzello received thunderous applause when he called for the project's halt.

"One of the driving factors of people leaving the city is that we once had an economic balance between industrial and residential for centuries," he said. "We've lost our businesses, and our taxes are going up, and this project proposes 860 units without any industrial development. Once this project rolls down the track, there's no possible retreat. The revision I'd like is for this project to be stopped."

One of Bozzello’s concerns reflected those of many others: that developers would receive a PILOT, or abatement, on the tax balance.

"All of these big projects received PILOT's," said resident Suzanne Anderson. "Now you have kids in the school district who aren't paid for yet, and I want to know how this project will effect this."

Several regional business associations appeared at the meeting to support the project, as well as Glen Cove residents excited for the project's benefits to the city's rental market and economy.

"I don't think we should we really tell the 50 percent of people renting in Glen Cove they can just pack up and leave," said Glenn Howard, in response to criticism on the project's proposed 65 percent rental makeup. "Anybody who thinks renters don't pay taxes, the taxes are paid by the landlord and passed on to the renter."

Scott Rechler of RXR Glen Isle said his project is crucial to Glen Cove's future.

"I consider Glen Cove my city, I have so much history here," he said. "This is not a grandiose plan that looks good on paper, though unfeasible in reality; this is something which will succeed in the near term, and it will be something for Glen Cove to be proud of."

Planning Board Chairman Thomas Scott announced the board would take written comments for consideration until Sept. 30, and will hold off on action until all findings on the various issues are complete.

The will cost $1 billion to build, and will provide 3,500 construction jobs, according to the developer. The project will consist of 860 dwellings in several mid-range buildings, which will include a 250-suite hotel and conference center, a 50,000 square-foot office building, and 25,000 square feet of retail and cultural space.