Dear Manhasset Friends and Neighbors,

Once again we seek your help on an important matter concerning the preservation of Manhasset. Apple Bank, owner of the property at the north west corner of Onderdonk Avenue and Northern Boulevard, is on the Town of North Hempstead’s Board of Zoning and Appeals Calendar for September 19, 2012 to seek several variances to expand their parking lot north within a residential district and reduce the green buffer to a neighbor’s residential property from 30 feet to just 5 feet.

The proposed parking lot expansion clearly and directly conflicts with the 1992 Restrictive Covenant in place at this property. To explain, Apple Bank purchased and demolished a private residential home in 1965 when they constructed the current bank building.  That home was on an adjacent lot in the rear of the Apple Bank property.  Afterwards in 1992 Apple Bank applied for variances to enlarge their parking lot onto the lot where the home had been demolished.  At the time, a well organized civic opposition was lead by Mary Jane Davies to preserve the residential character of Onderdonk Avenue and to protect the residential border at 35 Onderdonk Avenue.  In the end, the Town’s BZA approved the parking lot expansion but on one condition; that a thirty foot landscape buffer be installed and maintained to protect the adjoining homeowner and his family at 35 Onderdonk Avenue.

Over the last several years, Apple Bank has allowed the deterioration of the landscaping in this buffer area and is now requesting to reduce it by 25 feet to just 5 feet.  If granted, the variances will result in a condition that is adverse to the residential character of our neighborhood and would require the removal of many mature trees shielding the residential area on Onderdonk Avenue. Preserving and upholding a permanent Restrictive Covenant is paramount.  If it is not, any Restrictive Covenant within the Town of North Hempstead is at risk of becoming meaningless and places additional properties in danger.

As such, the neighbors, the Manhasset Park Civic Association, Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations and the Manhasset Preservation Society are adamantly opposed to this application by Apple Bank.  As Apple Bank did not engage the neighbors or community in this matter in advance of the public notice we are left with little time to notify the community and oppose this matter but are committed to doing so with vigilance.

Please join us in opposing Apple Bank’s application by signing this online petition. We encourage neighbors to attend the public BZA hearing on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. at Town Hall.  You may also write directly to Chairman David Mammina, Town of North Hempstead Board of Zoning and Appeals, 220 Plandome Road, Manhasset NY 11030 stating you strongly object to the BZA granting any variances to Apple Bank Application #19373. 

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