resident criticism, hearing for Hillside Islamic Center expansion continued to Sept.

BY BRANDON DUFFY

The North Hempstead Town Board Tuesday night unanimously passed a resolution to spend $40,000 for a flight plan analysis as a first step in combatting noise disruptions in the town due to low-flying airplanes.

The board also tabled a public hearing on the proposed expansion of the Hillside Islamic Center in New Hyde Park and denounced a recent Q&A in Port Washington with “Patriot Streetfighter” Scott McKay.

Council Member Peter Zuckerman said the airplane noise was a quality of life issue in the town, one that increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the town has received over 500 service requests in the last five years to remedy the issue.

“This resolution is a critical step in identifying the root causes of this noise and exploring effective measures to address it,” Zuckerman said. “By investing in this flight plan analysis, we are demonstrating our commitment to finding solutions that will create a safer and more comfortable future for everyone in our Town.”

North Hempstead in 2019 adopted a resolution to consider legal action against Federal Aviation Administration but efforts were postponed due to the pandemic, Zuckerman said.

Oscar Michelen of Cuomo LLC, which was awarded the request for proposal bid, said the analysis will include looking at the most recent flight plans that were instituted in the last 60 days and evaluating the concerns of incorporated villages in the town on the issue, among other things.

“What we’re seeing now is a de- mand for more travel and with that more flights at lower altitudes creating noise,” Michelen said.

At the beginning of the meeting, many New Hyde Park residents spoke out against the Hillside Islamic Center’s plans to expand their mosque, citing unsafe parking conditions on the nearby roads.

Donna O’Callaghan, who lives on Hillside Boulevard, said expanding the mosque will put an added strain on nearby residents.

“The safety and community issues that currently exist will only be exacerbated by adding additional square feet on an already crowded corner of our community,” O’Callaghan said.

Additional residents said congregants currently double park, park in front of their driveways and fire hydrants and ignore concerns when addressed by homeowners on Hillside, North 1st, North 2nd and North 3rd Streets.

Jim McHugh questioned the in-

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