Great Neck Trustees OK Mixed-Use Middle Neck Road Development

GREAT NECK, NY — Great Neck trustees have signed off on plans to build a three-story, mixed-use building on the downtown site of a former bank and pharmacy. And while officials said it's a plan that "delights all," some neighbors don't agree.

The building on Middle Neck Road, near Baker Hill Road, includes plans for first-floor small retail below two stories of residential units. Each residential unit will have at least one balcony and plans call for a spacious pedestrian plaza with seating.

Neighbors will recognize the area as the site of the former HSBC bank and Middle Neck Pharmacy. Development plans were passed Tuesday evening.

Mayor Pedram Bral said in a statement the village was "extremely pleased" that numerous residents actively attended village board meetings and expressed "whole-hearted approval" of the building.

But residents have some outstanding questions, including some about the amount of parking that will be available.

In a Facebook comment, one resident asked why there was no plan to build an underground garage. Another noted that billing the project as one that "delights all" was misleading.

"Relevant concerns have been raised about this project, relating to parking issues, population issues, impacts to the schools and the other surrounding businesses," the commenter wrote.

"A family moving into a two-bedroom apartment 'very likely' includes at least one child," the commenter added. "A family, choosing to live in an apartment rather than a house 'very likely' has two working parents. Two working parents 'very likely' have at least one vehicle. Do you see where I'm going with this?"