Devane says time to reimagine Jericho

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“This is an opportunity at that property to re-envision the Jericho Corridor,” Devane said. “I’m in this spot as mayor because for the last 50 years I’ve lived in this village. When I drive down Jericho and turn left and turn right, there is no rhyme or reason to the stores we have.”

Similar concerns have been brought up by neighboring villages.

This month Great Neck Estates adopted plans to establish a business overlay district on its portion of Middle Neck Road. Overlay zones create special zoning districts on previously established districts that can allow for additional criteria.

Mayor William Warner said the village, in conjunction with BFJ Planning, has been working on developing the overlay district plan for more than a year in eforts to revitalize not just the village’s portion of Middle Neck Road, but the peninsula’s business district.

In December, the Mineola Board of Trustees voted unanimously to create new business overlay districts on part of Jericho Turnpike and downtown to give the village more fexibility when considering future developments.

Mineola Mayor Paul Pereira said the need came from a retail landscape that has changed in recent years.

Devane said any decisions on whether or not to create new overlay districts would come at a later date, but he has spoken about these issues with local mayors such as Pereira and Kevin Fitzgerald in Floral Park, among others.

“This is a huge thing for us,” Devane said. “We going to get it right and that’s the whole goal. We need to reimagine it.”