Serving Great Neck, G.N. Plaza, G.N. Estates, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock and Thomaston
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Friday, December 24, 2021
Vol. 96, No. 52
NEW YEAR’S DINING GUIDE PAGES 23-26
LIBRARY BOARD PICK SETS OFF UPROAR
COVID CASES CLIMB
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Thomaston board repeals zoning law
THE MUSIC MAN
Weinberg criticized for handling of previously proposed apartment BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z The Village of Thomaston on Monday night unanimously repealed a local zoning law set in place earlier this year relating to a proposed five-story apartment complex, the application for which was recently withdrawn. The Board of Trustees took the action during a special meeting. The law was passed during a July meeting and, along with the proposal, has been heavily criticized by the public. The law allowed the Board of Trustees to have “sole and unfettered discretion” on what conditions and incentive use permit may be granted to certain applicants. The law applied to applicants that have a property located partially in the Apartment B and Residence 10 zoning districts, a total area of at least 0.75 acres but not exceeding one acre, a depth at its greatest point of at least 200 feet and street frontage on Middle
Neck Road of at least 230 feet. The property at 124 S. Middle Neck Road, the former site of Tower Ford and the previously proposed apartment complex, lies partly in the Apartment B and Residence 10 zoning districts, has a total area of 0.96 acres, and has a depth of 234 feet, according to village documents. The law, which remained in effect for 150 days after it was enacted in July, expired on Dec. 11. Before the unanimous repeal of the law, the village held a public hearing that featured heated criticism of Mayor Steven Weinberg over the handling of the strongly opposed project. Thomaston resident Wendy Halpern, who led efforts to oppose the project and overdevelopment, said it was baffling how the village is in this situation, claiming more transparency over the summer could have prevented problems. Continued on Page 35
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREAT NECK SCHOOL DISTRICT
Great Neck South Middle School held its first live music concerts of the year with performances from the Senior Band, Senior Orchestra and Senior Chorus.
N. Hempstead opts out of retail cannabis sales BY R OB E RT PELAEZ The Town of North Hempstead opted out of permitting retail sales of cannabis in the unincorporated areas of the
town during a public meeting last Thursday night. Following the lead of other towns across Long Island, North Hempstead council members voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Mariann Dali-
monte not present at the virtual meeting due to COVID-19. The decision came after several meetings conducted by the town’s cannabis task force, which ultimately provided the Continued on Page 4
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