Port Washington Waterfront: Code Hearing Set, New Parking Limits

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — New parking restrictions are coming to Port Washington's waterfront district and a public hearing date has been set on a proposed law that would change the area's zoning laws to allow for more uses and taller buildings.

Several Port Washington-related items were approved at Thursday's Town of North Hempstead board meeting. An ordinance establishing parking restrictions on the corners of Beachway was passed with help and understanding from neighbors, as well as the Port Washington fire and police departments, Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte said in a newsletter.

Here are the parking restrictions, according to the town's agenda:

• Beachway – South Side – No Parking Anytime
  • From the west curb line of Beachway, east for a distance of 34 feet.
• Beachway – West side – No Parking Anytime
  • From the south curb line of Beachway, north for a distance of 48 feet.
• Beachway – North Side – No Parking Anytime
  • From the east curb line of Beachway, east for a distance of 30 feet.
• Beachway – East Side – No Parking Anytime
  • From the north curb line of Beachway, north for a distance of 30 feet.
• Beachway – West Side – No Parking Anytime
  • From the north curb line of Beachway, south for a distance of 43 feet.
• Beachway – North Side – No Parking Anytime
  • From the west curb line of Beachway, east for a distance of 74 feet.
• Beachway – East Side – No Parking Anytime
  • From the south curb line of Beachway, south for a distance of 30 feet.
• Beachway – South Side – No Parking Anytime
  • From the east curb line of Beachway, east for a distance of 30 feet

According to the resolution, penalties for parking in the areas could result in "a fine, or when applicable, by imprisonment, not in excess of the amount set forth in the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York, or by both such fine and imprisonment, plus any surcharge payable to other governmental entities, and late payment, if applicable." The ordinance goes into effect 10 days from the date of its publication and posting.

A resolution was also passed setting a Sept. 3 date for a public hearing to consider adopting a local law amending the Town of North Hempstead's code. The proposed local law would revise the standards of the "Waterfront Business" zoning district regarding permitted uses, building height, allowable density, setbacks and parking regulations.

The steering committee, comprised of residents, civic groups and property owners, along with the town and public worked to make the code more restrictive than is currently written. A link to the meeting can be found on the town's website closer to Sept. 3.

In December 2017, a development moratorium was initiated for the B-W Waterfront Business district so that the community could have an opportunity to reexamine the existing applicable zoning regulations around the Knickerbocker Yacht Hotel, Dalimonte wrote in a Friday update clarifying the process behind the local law. The moratorium has been extended several times as these discussions have taken place, and any potential developments in the area have been prohibited for more than two and a half years now.

"With residential and community interests in mind, the latest draft of the proposed code would impose a number of new restrictions on the commercial property owners' development rights as compared to the existing code," Dalimonte said, explaining the Steering Committee's work.

The proposed code would include new regulations on building heights, open space and view corridors, environmental factors, traffic and parking, and noise.

Another resolution was passed authorizing an agreement with Cashin Associates, P.C. for engineering services related to dredging a boat ramp at Manorhaven Beach Park. The town expects to be reimbursed by federal emergency management officials for that project.

In addition, a resolution passed authorizing the award of a bid for dredging the Manorhaven boat ramp. The work includes dredging, dewatering and disposal of materials from the ramp. That work can only take place from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 due to permit restrictions by external regulatory agencies. The town also expects to be reimbursed by FEMA for that project.