Flower Hill Board Meeting Heats Up As Homeowners Contest New Construction Project

Several community members who reside on Greenbriar Lane and Hewlett Lane in Flower Hill were up in arms at this week's Board of Trustees meeting. The reason: to express their concerns regarding a new house being knocked down and rebuilt at 25 Greenbriar Lane in the village's Port Washington section this summer.

The meeting began civilly, as the trustees went about their regular monthly business, but the tone quickly changed as they began to address the approval or denial of various building permits.

Four of the five permits were approved immediately, but with regards to the residence on Greenbriar Lane, three local families were present to contest its approval.

Members of the board explained that the deciding factor in the approval or denial of building permits depends on the conceptual design plans submitted to the Building Commissioner. From there, the board may decide to approve the permit with the condition that the plans will be modified to fit the Flower Hill building codes, or deny the project completely.

The new homeowners of 25 Greenbriar were present with an architect to prove that the house was entirely up to code, if need be.

Although multiple families in attendance were outwardly volleying for the denial of the conceptual building permit, the board only allowed them to speak for five minutes each, contesting that there were "more important issues at hand."

Mike Miranda, a Village Land Attorney who lives at 17 Greenbriar Lane, the house directly next door to 25 Greenbriar, said he was upset and outraged at the limited amount of time he was given to argue his point. However, his main concerns did not seem to phase the members of the board.

"I just want to know what's happening with various plans, including the hours of construction, fencing, and how long the project is estimated to take," Miranda said. "It's not much to ask.  I am also worried about the integrity of the neighborhood, and how many trees will be cut down to build the house. Besides, it's outrageous that they have not mowed their lawn yet."

Yet, the concerns of the residents of Greenbriar Lane and Hewlett Lane had nothing to do with the project itself. They were primarily concerned about water drainage problems, Port-O-Potty locations, fencing, and the expansion of the properties driveway.

Dawn Epp, who resides at 21 Hewlett Lane, which is an intersecting street to Greenbriar, said she came to the meeting to express her concern regarding drainage issues. Her home, which is directly behind 25 Greenbriar, she detailed, has a built in swimming pool that lines up behind the house in question, and she was worried about the possibility of drainage problems once winter infiltrates again.

"I am just concerned that my pool will be ruined, and that it will become a safety issue for my children," Epp said. "I am not trying to cause problems, I just want these concerns addressed."

The new homeowners of 25 Greenbriar Lane, however, could not understand the outrage of their soon-to-be-neighbors. "It's just crazy. We are following all of the codes, so what is the problem?" said Jill Chodosch with her husband David standing at her side. "We only just closed on the house a week ago, and we are living with our two small children in a cramped city apartment. Of course, we haven't mowed the lawn or met with the neighbors to discuss their concerns."

Trustee Avery Ryan agreed with the Chodosch's argument. "We would not approve these plans if they weren't up to code," she said. "I want to go on record saying the house being built will be absolutely beautiful."

The permit was eventually approved, but not before a heated discussion took place between the neighbors of the Greenbriar home, the village trustees and the new homeowners.

The remaining trials and tribulations of the ongoing argument are scheduled to be addressed in a private meeting later this month with all interested homeowners, the Building Commissioner and the Board of Trustees.