“That’s a horror story that you’re planting right there in the middle of Franklin Square,” Martinez said.įranklin Square residents have for a long time asked the Town of Hempstead for more parking spaces and a revitalization project for the area, and the town has included funding in the current year’s budget to explore options, which is why Councilman Bruce Blakeman also expressed his own opposition to the storage facility in a letter addressed to BZA Chairman David Weiss. Although the proposed development would include a number of new parking spaces, Martinez said that they would only benefit the storage facility’s clients, not the local community. Civic Association President John Randazzo said that the large storage facility would destroy the beauty of Franklin Square’s central commercial area and increase parking problems on Hempstead Turnpike.Īs he testified before the board, Jay Martinez, a longtime Franklin Square resident who lives near the development area, described an already congested Hempstead Turnpike that might have its left lane closed during construction of the storage space. While Hussain collected about 140 signatures from local residents in favor of the storage facility, the Franklin Square Civic Association gathered more than 300 signatures opposing it. “I believe it won’t impact the residential character of the neighborhood or the property values of the surrounding homes,” Nelson said. Catherine of Sienna Church’s three-floor school building and the nearby businesses on New Hyde Park Road - which have apartment spaces above them - as examples. Citing a letter from the Nassau County Planning Commission, Fisher said that the proposed building would be “out of character with the neighborhood.” When he asked what other buildings in the area stood out as much as the three-story storage facility would, Barry Nelson, an estate planning attorney, speaking on behalf of the developer, cited the St. They actually serve a much broader purpose and are supportive of businesses and the local economy.”īZA member Daniel Fisher expressed skepticism about allowing such a large storage facility to occupy a space in Franklin Square’s central hub. “They are not just for storing household goods.
“Storage facilities like these are different now,” Edwards said. He said that while the facility would cater to individuals, it would also be an ideal place so local businesses to store their inventory, seasonal decorations and excess stock. Wayne Edwards, a zoning and land use attorney who represented Hussain at the hearing, agreed that the storage facility would be built to keep people’s possessions safe. There would also be two full-time employees to manage the building and complete daily walkthroughs. He added that the building would have sprinkler and fire alarm systems, which would be reviewed by the Nassau County Fire Marshal's office, and that customers would be given individual security codes and access cards to help safeguard the storage facility. Hussain did not return the Herald’s calls for comment.Īrchitect Frank Relf, who spoke as an expert before the BZA, explained that although the facility would be three stories, it would be 30 feet tall, the maximum height allowed, according to town zoning code. He is seeking variances from the board for off-street parking in a residential area and for an additional third story. There are also plans to knock down two houses behind the new Synergy building for parking spaces. The development plan was proposed by Nauman Hussain, the owner of Synergy Fitness, who plans to move the gym across the street on William Avenue in order to convert the current gym building, AT&T store, Philip & Sons Jewelry Store and Bow Tie Cinemas into a 658-unit storage facility. 17 to hear details of a plan to build a three-story storage facility near the corner of Hempstead Turnpike and Franklin Avenue, and a majority of them were upset to hear about the size of the storage facility, in what is known as Franklin Square’s business hub. The theater still has four-years left on its lease.įranklin Square residents gathered before the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals on Oct. Update: Nauman Hussain and his representative, Christian Browne - of the Sahn, Ward, Coschignano law firm - have stated that the Franklin Square Bow-Tie Cinemas theater building will not be demolished for development.
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