Height Exemption OK'd In Port Washington Film Studio Plan: Report

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Zoning changes have been approved to make "studio" a permitted use in Port Washington North as plans move forward to raze the former Publisher's Clearing House headquarters and replace it with a movie production complex, according to a report.

101 Channel LLC, an affiliate of Lunar Module Park, LLC, plans to convert a vacant, 100,000 square-foot facility into a state-of-the-art film studio on Channel Drive. Officials on Wednesday approved a zoning change to make a height exemption for soundproof film studios on properties that are larger than 10 acres, Newsday reported. Currently, buildings can not be higher than 25 feet.

The height proposed for the studio were lowered to 50 feet from 65 feet following concerns from neighbors.

Earlier this month, the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency approved support to give tax breaks for plans to build six film production studios in Port Washington. The development agency expects the move will create 400 new jobs once in use.

Parviz Farahzad, owner of Grumman Road Studios in Bethpage, which has filmed"The Avengers," "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," and "The Bourne Legacy," plans to spend $15 million to build the new studios in Port Washington.

Residents previously expressed mixed feelings of concerns and optimism about the plan, specifically over changing the zoning code to allow for a taller height needed for the studio. That could set a precedent for future development, residents said. Others thought the project will ultimately be "ugly."

Still others said they were happy it will bring jobs to the area.