Dear Residents,
I write to you regarding a proposal by Governor Hochul that will have a profound impact on every resident in Munsey Park. Here is the background:
You will recall that last year Gov. Hochul proposed requiring that local governments allow accessory dwelling units on every single-family lot in the State. This proposal would have been a violation of the long-standing concept of “home rule”; that is, the concept that each community with local zoning authority be entitled to decide how and when the community allows development. The proposal was withdrawn by the Governor following an uproar from local governments. Now, the Governor has redoubled her efforts to control development in local communities and has returned with a proposal that is even more destructive to the fabric of suburban communities. It also takes specific aim at Long Island. In her 2024 proposed budget, the Governor would require that every city, town and village increase the number of homes every three years by 3%. To put that number in perspective, VMP would be required to allow 25 new homes every 3 years. You may ask where those homes are to be located since VMP is fully developed. The answer is as follows:
NYS would compel VMP to amend its zoning laws to allow high-density housing in the area located one-half mile from the Manhasset LIRR station. Roughly speaking, that means the portion of the Village lying on Ryder Road and Park Avenue, in each case west of Thayer Road, and all of Nassau Avenue, Ridge Circle and Ridge Crescent. This high-density housing would be required to meet affordability requirements.
Other portions of the Village would be required to allow two-family housing; in other words, two houses on a single lot where one house now exists.
If VMP fails to meet the State’s growth targets, the Governor proposes either a Court or State board that can compel compliance by VMP and override local resistance.
Any proposed development project that includes affordable housing would be “fast tracked” to approval (that is, with limited or no local control).
The Governor has proposed to waive certain regulatory requirements and, although the Governor’s plan is short on specifics, it seems that this part of the plan contemplates waiving environmental review (so, little or no consideration given to school crowding, water and sanitary capabilities, traffic conditions, social support networks, etc.).
The stated goal of this effort is to increase affordable housing and accessibility of such housing to all New Yorkers, especially in areas that the Governor considers to have been “historically hostile” to such housing. In essence, Munsey Park would cease to be a Village comprised of single-family homes and over time, apartments and dense development would predominate.
While the battle will be an up-hill one for VMP, we are not alone. Every village in Nassau County and all of the unincorporated areas are facing the same existential threat. I have spoken with leaders of other communities, including Mayors of nearby villages and Supervisor DeSena and all are prepared to do whatever it takes to protect our communities, our schools, our environment and our suburban way of life. I have also spoken to Senator Jack Martins and Assembly Member Gina Sillitti and each has promised to support us. I urge you to contact the office of State Senator Jack Martins at (518) 455-2677 and Assembly Member Gina Sillitti at (516) 482-6966 and urge them to vote against this plan. Also contact the office of the Governor at (518) 474-8390 and let her know how you feel about this plan. Share this and other related information with neighbors. This could be the battle that determines the future of VMP and all of Manhasset.
This matter will be discussed at the upcoming Village Board of Trustees meeting on February 8th.
On a related note, I commend the attached article in the publication of the Manhattan Institute “City Journal” for insight on housing affordability issues. https://www.city-journal.org/let-housing-markets-work#.Y-E44hr1Gzo.mailto
Respectfully,
Lawrence A. Ceriello, Mayor
Village of Munsey Park