Friday, April 27, 2018
Vol. 94, No.30
FOUNDED 1923
n
n
$1
LOCALLY OWNED AND EDITED
Flying high PAGE 61 n New tuba PAGE 39
Village continues consideration of apartment complex
BOYS LAX ROLLING ALONG
BY RIKKI N. MASSAND
Department’s rich heritage is rooted with independent fire companies that began to form in 1899 following a devasting fire at the Garden City Hotel. Then, in 1920, these companies came together with 31 local residents becoming “charter” members. Soon after, the Department was integrated into the Village Government and since 1920, hundreds of resident men and women have proudly served in the ranks of the Volunteer Fire Service in Garden City for more than 100 years. Today, the GCFD is a combination of volunteer and paid firefighters.
As May arrives, the Village of Garden City will have additional hearings on the proposed 150 apartment development for 555 Stewart Avenue, adjacent to Roosevelt Field. Plans are in place for the hearings and reviews of related legislation to conclude by the Board of Trustees’ May 24th meeting. Garden City resident Kevin Walsh, the attorney for the applicant (550 Stewart Acquisitions LLC) presented the Board of Trustees with the traffic study comments document from consultants Cameron Engineering at the last hearing on April 12th and spoke about items related to the site’s environmental review (SEQR). Special counsel to the village hired for zoning-related applications is A. Tom Levin of Garden City-based law firm Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein P.C. On April 12th, just prior to the continuation of the public hearings, Levin announced that some framework and grammatical changes to the proposed new zoning were still being ironed out by the village counsel, Peter Bee. Levin said “non-substantive changes” to the proposed local law to rezone the area, which will allow for 150 apartment units, were going to be posted to the Village of Garden City website starting April 13th for the public to review. “The changes are essentially language, correcting grammar, and to clarify with respect to the maximum height of the project,” Levin told the audience on April 12th. The original proposed legislation stated four stories high or an average height of 45 feet, but Levin says there were difficulties to determine what an average height of the building would be given the design. Also the stipulation conflicts as there aren’t any such restrictions stated in Village Code regarding “average height.” Essentially, the new legislation will state “the project shall not exceed four stories or a height of 45 feet” and the word ‘average’ is deleted. Meanwhile, the process to establish the Board of Trustees as the lead agency for the project’s SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) compli-
See page 46
See page 51
The Garden City High School Boys Lacrosse team's season is rolling along, with another two victories this week. See pages 68-69
Firefighters to receive Community Service Award
With great pride, the MineolaGarden City Rotary Club announces that it will present its coveted Community Service Award to the proud volunteer firefighters of the Garden City Fire Department. This presentation will take place Wednesday evening on June 13th, 6PM, at the Garden City Country Club, where Rotarians and guests will enjoy cocktails and an elegant dinner while saluting our renowned volunteers. The Community Service Award signifies the spirit of volunteerism and commitment to community. The award was established by the
Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club in 1991, and the Garden City Volunteer Firefighters will join the roster of 27 past award recipients. The mission of the Garden City Fire Department is to “respond to calls of assistance from our fellow neighbors when they are in a time of need. The Department’s members recognize that volunteering is one of the highest forms of community service. Our Garden City firefighters train, prepare, and respond with pride, care and readiness in order to protect the lives and property entrusted to their care.” The Garden City Fire
"Sailing With the 60's" a rousing success PAGE 34 GCHS named NYS Reward School PAGE 26