November 13, 2007

Dear Neighbors,

As a result of our General Meeting on Monday evening, October 29th, we have written a number of letters on issues of concern to you.  Attached you will find the following letters:

1. To Supervisor Frank Petrone, requesting a meeting between representatives of our community, the Town, and the State Department of Transportation to discuss the State’s plans for the section of Jericho Tpke. bordering Cold Spring Hills.  Our residents are concerned about possible widening of the Turnpike, taking of private property and the addition of a turning lane and are interested in some sort of aesthetically pleasing sound/safety barrier…

2. To the Cold Spring Country Club for information on the time frame for erecting a permanent entry sign…

3. To the Town requesting they paint the old street lamp poles on Colonial Drive between the intersections of East Gate Drive and Monfort Drive…  These poles have rusted and would be more attractive painted black to match the newer streetlights.

4. To the Town stating our opposition to the application by Triangle Equities for a zone change for the Dougal property located across from West Gate Drive, (currently being used as a horse farm), from one acre residential to retirement community… The proposal involves building 136 units on the 18.6 acres.  We support the current one acre zoning which would yield perhaps 15 single family homes.  We also will be re-sending to the Town a letter from our Civic Association dated January 10th stating our opposition when this application was filed.  Furthermore, we will be re-sending a previous letter to the Town requesting the status of the structures built on this property without a permit.     

5. We were asked to write a letter to Senator Charles Schumer regarding the helicopters’ flight patterns over our neighborhood in the summer.  Prior to writing this letter, an article appeared in Newsday which addressed the issue, (article is attached and is viewable on our website).

For those residents who were unable to attend the General Meeting, you may be interested in learning about some other issues that were discussed:
1. Gary Melius made a presentation to our community and explained that he is currently negotiating with the Cold Spring Country Club.  The Club is not being sold…it will remain The Cold Spring Country Club, a private club. A contract is being drawn between Gary and the Club involving the Club selling Gary Melius 13 acres of property across from their Clubhouse.  Gary’s preliminary plans include: building 150 townhouses and possibly a sports complex (to be open to Cold Spring Hills residents as well) and a spa on the Castle’s front lawn and the 13 acres purchased from the Club.  Entry to this private townhouse community would be through East Gate Drive from Jericho Tpke.  No townhouses would border existing homes.  The Club would transfer all the development rights from the entire Country Club to these 13 acres, so that the golf course could never be developed; it would always be a  golf course or open space.


The membership of the Club must approve this contract with a 2/3 majority vote.  Gary Melius’ plans for development must be submitted to the Town for review and approval.

2. A subdivision application has been made to the Town by the owner of the property at 42 Colonial Drive. A new house would be built on the southeast corner of Colonial Drive and East Gate Drive, (and the home would back up to Jericho Tpke.)  The driveway would cut into Colonial, very close to the corner of East Gate Drive.  Our Association, with the support of the immediate surrounding neighbors will be opposing this application.  It is our position that our community is fully developed; it was the intention of the original developers that because of topography, aesthetics and curvature of roads that some lots were designed larger than others.  Subdividing, in fact was prohibited in the original covenants and restrictions.

The Planning Board Hearing will be Wednesday, November 28th, 7:30PM, Huntington Town Hall Room 212.  We urge you all to attend!

3. After the first of the year we will again attempt to enlist the help of Congressman Steve Israel to bring “quiet zones” to the train crossings at East Gate Drive and West Rogues Path.  This has proved to be a difficult and costly endeavor.  We have the support of the Town and County but need the funds from the State and/or Federal governments.  In the meanwhile, addition of mufflers on the train horns in the near future promises to be helpful.

The slate for the Executive Board was approved unanimously and we congratulate Michele Coco, John Deignan, Cynthia Hemley, Esq., Kevin O’Brien, Esq. and Kerry Strobl on their re-election.  The other four Board members, (Mary Anne Brennan, Dayna Cioffi, Elisse Murray and Gayle Snyder) were not up for election.  Furthermore, at our first Board Meeting, we appointed our Advisory Board: Ilene Brown, Dr. Karen Friel and Ellen Schaffer, Esq.  Also at our Board meeting, the officers of the Board were elected: Gayle Snyder, Chairperson; John Deignan, Vice-Chairperson; Michele Coco, Secretary; and Kerry Strobl, Treasurer.  Congratulations to everyone!

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please let us know.  We hope you continue to check our website, www.coldspringhills.org for information on these and other issues. Wishing you all wonderful holidays and a year of peace, good health and prosperity!

Sincerely,

Gayle Snyder, Chairperson


……………..SAVE THESE DATES…………….

DECEMBER 11TH, TUES.  EVENING, COLD SPRING HARBOR FIRE COMMISSIONER VOTE

DECEMBER 14TH, FRIDAY EVENING, SANTA NIGHT

JANUARY 25TH, FRIDAY EVENING, GALA AT THE CASTLE


WARNING:  Please be aware that rabid raccoons have been found throughout Huntington in the last few months.  If you see a raccoon you think may be rabid, (particularly if you see a raccoon during daylight hours), please call 911.