_________________ FREEPORT _________________
HERALD $1.00
Word of life hosts day of healing
Generosity from Freeport kids
Suozzi is running for governor
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Vol. 86 No. 49
DECEMBER 2 - 8, 2021
A new oasis in area day care ‘desert’ By REiNE BEthaNy rbethany@liherald.com
Courtesy Randy Milter
loCal oFFiCialS aND church dignitaries attended the grand opening of Ready Set Grow Learning Academy in the Freeport Armory. From left were Bishop Frank Anthone White, of Zion Cathedral in Freeport (behind Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray); the Rev. Robert Adams (partially hidden); Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy; the Rev. Willie J. McGhee (in sunglasses); RSGLA Director Naheed Khan; the academy’s co-owners, Chelisa and Daryl Harris; Chamber of Commerce President Ben Jackson; Hempstead Town Councilman Chris Carini; County Legislator Steve Rhoads, and Bishop Robert Joel Rochford of New Life Cathedral, in Brooklyn, with youngsters from the academy.
The Nov. 18 grand opening of Ready Set Grow Learning Academy signified not only a new start for the 60-year-old Freeport Armory, but also an expansion of Freeport’s business scene, and a welcome addition to local day care options. Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Robert Kennedy articulated the impact of the occasion. “When deciding the future use of the armory,” Kennedy said, “Freeport residents objected to the use of the armory for the DPW. And this
administration listened, and agreed, and redirected the design and plans for this building. Today we now have a new day-care center for the Village of Freeport residents. We also have a proposed sporting complex run by Rising Stars, and we’re entertaining proposals for a training and technical school here that would teach plumbing, carpentry, electrical HVAC, and auto mechanics.” Qualified day care is an increasing need everywhere. Since the reopening, said coowner Chelisa Harris, “People have called from as far as ValContinued on page 8
Victory at Village Hall for Stearns Park preservation By REiNE BEthaNy rbethany@liherald.com
Members of the Stearns Park Civic Association stood to applaud the Village of Freeport government at a public hearing Monday after a code amendment was approved that would help protect their neighborhood from overbuilding. The public hearing followed the regular meeting of the board of trustees, which included the swearing-in of Stephen L. Drummond as associate village justice (see p. 11 of this issue). The purpose of the public hearing, according to the agenda sheet, was to consider the amendment.
Deputy Village Attorney Robert McLaughlin explained that the code amendment referred to AA zones (Chapter 210 Zoning, Article IV, Residence AA Districts), which are areas reserved for larger residential plots. The amendment changed two aspects of the code: first, the size of the plot required for a new building to be constructed, and second, the process required to seek a variance from the Zoning Board to allow subdivision. The amendment increased the plot size required for new construction from 7,500 to 10,000 square feet, and the length of the property’s street front from 75 to 100 linear feet.
The amendment does not affect any prior construction. Under the amended code, an application to the Zoning Board to subdivide a property requires that every resident within 200 linear feet be notified, so they have a chance to voice concerns at the relevant Zoning Board meeting. Also, the applicant must explain the reasons for subdividing. Under the old code, no zoning variance was needed to subdivide unless the plot was smaller than 7,500 square feet. Residents didn’t receive notification of any change until the matter had gone from the Zoning Board to the Planning Board.
The amendment was motivated by action from the Stearns Park Civic Association, whose members want to deter the subdivision of housing plots in their neighborhood, and to preserve the spaciousness that has historically characterized it (see Box 1, “Historic Stearns Park”). When the amendment was approved, about 40 Stearns Park
Civic Association members rose from their seats in prolonged applause. Trustee Jorge Martinez said, “The bar for subdividing is now raised.” Trustee Chris Squeri recalled a subdivision issue on Mount Joy Avenue about two years ago that had prompted an 18-month Continued on page14