Mineola Village Approves 2 Overlay Districts For ' Smart Growth'

MINEOLA, NY — Mineola Village's Board of Trustees approved two new overlay districts on Wednesday evening, designed to encourage what Mayor Paul Pereira called "smart growth" in the village.

One is on Jericho Turnpike between Willis Avenue and Marcellus Road, where the overlay district will allow the village to consider projects up to four stories tall, Pereira told Patch.

The downtown historic overlay district is on Mineola Boulevard, between First and Front streets, and will allow for new types of developments, while still keeping the look and feel of Mineola's historic downtown, Pereira explained.

The vote to establish the districts passed unanimously, and Pereira said he believes that shows that Mineola residents understand something needs to happen to encourage economic development in the areas. The downtown blocks have a significant number of vacancies, partly due to a major fire, Pereira acknowledged.

"The businesses that are gone are not coming back," he said. "If we don't do anything, nothing will change."

The mayor said there is already a proposal within the downtown overlay district, with a traditional brick facade, that he thinks will be a model for others to follow.

He stressed that the overlay districts allow for the village to approve projects they like, and that the village didn't change the zoning code.

"We wanted to think outside the box, and give developers options. It's about smart growth that benefits the community."

Pereira thinks Mineola has the right building blocks for more high-end residential and mass transit friendly development.

"It's not going to be overnight but we have a great location."