The advancement of a new local law amending Lake Success’ definition of a side yard in its zoning code chapter was halted Monday night after Board of Trustees members were unclear about the amendment and its necessity.
The amendment proposed would define side yards as “an open, unoccupied space on the same lot with a building situated between the building and the side line of the lot and extending through from the street to the rear yard or, where no rear yard is required, to the rear line of the lot.” This is how it is currently defined, yet the amendment would exclude the portion that states “on a corner lot, there shall be only one side yard opposite the wider street frontage.”
Trustee Robert Gal said the law was introduced due to a variance granted to a homeowner with a corner lot side yard.
The village was planning to propose the amendment, setting a public hearing for the local law next month, but the board opted not to introduce it.
The board decided not to advance the amendment after multiple members found it confusing and were not clear on what it meant.
Mayor Adam Hoffman said the village includes numerous homes constructed on unique lots that make defining a side yard difficult. He suggested that the law should be kept as is and the building inspector and zoning board assess homes on a case-by-case basis.
“Each corner is different,” Hoffman said. “I think we should just let it be, not overthink this and let the people know that if you buy a corner lot, you should come in and talk to us before you go spend money on architecture.”
The board opted to table discussion on the law until the next meeting in order to further discuss it with the building inspector.
The board also approved an increase in the resident, non-resident and corporate due rates for the Lake Success Golf Club in 2024.
Dues rates for golf club memberships are increasing as the golf course has expenses from expanding the course and widening the fairways.
Non-resident dues will be increasing for full-time players by about $1,000, couples will be paying $1,150 more and weekday players will be paying $550 more.
Resident dues will be increasing by $800 for full-time players, by $800 and for couples and by $550 for weekday players.
Pricing for golf rounds will also be increasing by $10 each.
Corporate memberships will be increasing from $16,000 to $18,000.
Deputy Mayor Gene Kaplan, who serves as the commissioner of the Golf Commission, said the commission wanted to propose even higher dues rates but that these are still below market rates.
“I think we are in very good shape, we had a very good year despite all the rain that you perceive,” Kaplan said.
The Board of Trustees also voted to adopt a bond resolution for park and golf course improvements for $3,750,000. Hoffman said this will include improvements for the tennis courts, pool, playground and basketball courts, among many other aspects.
The mayor said the village is still working with companies to estimate pricing on the improvements, but the bonds will allow the project to advance and provide more accurate prices. He said not all of the money allotted in the bond will be spent.
The project, which encompasses all capital improvements, is anticipated to be conducted over three years.
The Village of Lake Success Board of Trustees will convene again at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 10. Meetings are available to be viewed via Zoom with the link posted on the village’s website before the meeting.
