Planners back move to X out sleaze hotel
BY NICHOLAS HIRSHON
DAILY NEWS WRITER
Thursday, October 4th 2007, 4:00 AM
For all the triple-X behavior that allegedly takes place in a seedy West Hempstead hotel, only one X made it into Nassau County documents that outline new ways to condemn and redevelop the area.
In commentary sent in August to Hempstead officials, the Nassau County Planning Department refers to the Courtesy Hotel on Hempstead Avenue as "Business X," and only briefly mentions that the "deteriorating" site has a hotel.
Executive Planning Commissioner Patricia Bourne, whose staff compiled the notes after reviewing the town board's proposed urban renewal plan, said county employees used "X" to stay consistent with Hempstead documents.
"It was a zoning code 'X' for a business category," Bourne said. "Every municipality has its own way of categorizing its codes."
The report marks the latest development in the long-running Courtesy saga.
The hotel's owner agreed to sell to developer Trammell Crow Residential last year, but the Hempstead government intervened and proposed an urban renewal plan for the area.
In its comments, the county Planning Department expressed support for the town's plan to replace the hotel and nearby parking lots - which it deemed "entirely inefficient uses of land" - with a row of townhouses and apartments above retail space.
The 11-page report also offers "refinement" of the town plan, such as creating a Broad St. greenway with wider sidewalks and tree plantings.
The Hempstead town board will discuss the urban renewal plan next month, but may delay a vote so it can better consider the county report and community concerns, said Hempstead Planning Commissioner Charles Theofan.
"We're considering everything, all of their suggestions, very seriously," Theofan said.
Locals are siding with Trammell Crow's proposal to demolish the hotel and put up an apartment complex. But they wonder whether the town is even listening to their plea.
"We feel almost like second-class citizens," said Rosalie Norton, president of the West Hempstead Civic Association, which opposes plans for a two-level parking garage and more retail in an area already struggling economically.
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The Town of Hempstead not listening? Kate Murray couldn't care less? Nah. Must be our imaginations.
How about some letters to the editors of the local papers from the good people of West Hempstead expressing their concerns about the the Town's tactics?
TheBeaconNews@aol.com
ThreeVillageTimes@antonnews.com
Malverne-WHeditor@liherald.com
Remember, the Courtesy is still here, because Kate Murray's still there!
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