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Politics & Government

Planning Board Approves Waterfront Special Use Permit [VIDEO]

Glen Cove Planning Board: Approval of permit is a major step closer to redevelopment.

The Glen Cove Planning Board approved a Special Use Permit 5-1 for the Waterfront Project's Master Development Plan at a at City Hall Monday. 

The Board also motioned to approve the project's SEQRA findings, or the summary of the project's environmental review.

Chairman Thomas Scott thanked the board’s consultants, saying they had worked “meticulously” throughout the process of supplying information and reviews.

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Board member Herbert Kaufman also expressed satisfaction with the details supplied:

"We've asked a lot of questions and received a lot of answers," he said. "I'm confident that the information we've got is reliable and accurate, particularly in regards to environmental issues, which is frankly our main purpose.”

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As Scott began a motion to call a vote, resident Charlie Bozzello voiced objection of the meeting's lack of public participation, which was not permitted by the board.

"We're not being heard at this meeting, and we've been following this issue for years," he said. "The fact that we're here and we're not able to speak our mind, that's not the way it should work."

The board allowed public participation at on Sept. 20, and had accepted written comments until Sept. 30.

Resident Grace Slezak said she was concerned about potential environmental issues at the site.

"Every resident who moves into these buildings will find out that these buildings have been deemed not for residential use,” she said. “We'll have lawsuits against the Planning Board and the city for years to come.”

Board Counsel Michael Zarin explained the approval's meaning after the meeting: "The Master Development…is a major step in moving the project closer to fruition. Next, they'll have to come in for building applications and site plan applications for each phase."

The 56-acre, $1 billion project, proposed by RXR-Glen Isle, will consist of 860 dwellings in several mid-range buildings. This includes a 250-suite hotel and conference center, a 50,000 square-foot office building and 25,000 square feet of retail and cultural space.

Mayor Ralph Suozzi says the project is expected to break ground in the third quarter of 2012.

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