By Shira Miller
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The Five Towns community is mobilizing once again following a Nassau Herald report that a court has overturned the Town of Hempstead’s repeal of controversial Transit Oriented Development (TOD) zoning in Inwood and North Lawrence. The ruling has residents questioning whether their elected officials followed proper legal procedures and demanding immediate action to protect their suburban community.
The Legal Misstep That Started It All
According to the Nassau Herald’s June 26, 2025 report, the Town of Hempstead failed to comply with state law when it attempted to reverse the TOD zoning designation. The town neglected to seek required approval from the Nassau County Planning Commission before proceeding with the repeal of zoning that would have allowed high-density residential developments on 11.7 acres.
This procedural failure has effectively nullified the Town Board’s unanimous November 19, 2024 vote to reverse what residents have consistently characterized as “dangerous” zoning changes that threaten the character and safety of their community, its members, and its youth.
From NYC to Nassau: A Familiar Pattern
Residents are drawing alarming parallels between the high-density development pressures transforming New York City and what they see as a deliberate attempt to impose similar changes on Nassau County’s established Jewish communities. The Five Towns, along with adjacent communities that have maintained their suburban character for decades, now face the same urbanization forces that have fundamentally altered neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs. Community members express deep concern that the same development interests and political mechanisms that reshaped much of NYC are now targeting their close-knit communities, threatening to destroy the suburban lifestyle that has defined these areas for generations.
Years of Backdoor Politics
Community members are expressing particular frustration with what they describe as years of underhanded political maneuvering. Residents report that the original TOD zoning changes were “pushed through by Bruce Blakeman, behind our backs,” leading to a protracted community fight against what they saw as an assault on their suburban way of life.
The irony is particularly bitter for many residents who note that Blakeman has otherwise been a strong representative for the community on numerous issues. “Bruce Blakeman has stood with us on so many other matters that affect our community,” said one community advocate. “That’s what makes this situation so disappointing and frankly bewildering. He completely dropped the ball on this project when we needed him most.”
The development project, being pursued by Heatherwood, represents exactly the type of high-density urbanization that residents moved to the suburbs to avoid. “We fought these changes for years, and now we’re being told that our victory was meaningless because our own elected officials couldn’t follow basic legal procedures,” said one longtime resident who requested anonymity. “The incompetence is staggering.”
Community Outrage Grows
The mood in the Five Towns is one of barely contained anger. Residents who spoke on background described feeling betrayed by politicians they trusted to protect their community’s interests. Many are questioning whether the procedural failures were intentional, designed to benefit developers at the expense of residents.
“This isn’t just about zoning,” explained another community member. “This is about whether our elected officials work for us or for the developers who want to transform our suburban community into something unrecognizable.”
The sentiment reflects a broader frustration with what residents see as a pattern of neglect and poor governance. Many are demanding answers about how such a fundamental legal requirement could have been overlooked during what was supposed to be a carefully orchestrated repeal process.
The Stakes Remain High
The overturned repeal means that the original TOD zoning remains in effect, opening the door for high-density development that residents argue will fundamentally alter the character of their community. The zoning changes would allow for residential developments that many fear will strain local infrastructure, increase traffic congestion, and compromise public safety.
“We’re not anti-development,” clarified one community advocate. “We’re pro-responsible development that fits with our community’s character. These politicians promised to protect us, and instead they’ve left us more vulnerable than ever.”
A Call for Accountability
The community’s response has been swift and decisive. Residents are demanding that the Town of Hempstead immediately appeal the court decision and, more importantly, demonstrate that they can competently handle the legal processes required to protect their constituents.
“The Town Board needs to do the right thing,” said one organizer. “They need to resist political and developer pressure, pass the repeal properly this time, and protect our community. No more excuses, no more procedural failures.”
URGENT: Your Presence is REQUIRED This Tuesday
The battle for the Five Towns’ future will be decided THIS TUESDAY, and every single community member must show up. The Town of Hempstead Board meeting on July 1, 2025, at 10:30 AM is not just another public hearing—it’s the last stand for our suburban way of life.
WHERE: Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, NY 11550
WHEN: Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 10:30 AM
WHY: Because if we don’t pack that room, Heatherwood wins and our community loses forever.
“If you care about your property values, your children’s safety, your quality of life—you MUST be there,” urged one organizer. “Empty seats equal victory for the developers. We cannot afford to be complacent when our entire community is under assault.”
Community leaders are emphasizing that this is not a request—it’s an emergency call to action. “This is our chance to hold these politicians accountable,” said one organizer. “They created this mess through their negligence, and now they need to fix it. We won’t accept excuses or delays, but we need BODIES in those seats to make that message clear.”
The message from organizers is unambiguous: if you don’t show up, don’t complain when high-density housing projects destroy the neighborhood you chose to call home.
The Broader Implications
The Five Towns controversy represents more than a local zoning dispute. It highlights fundamental questions about governmental competence, the influence of development interests on local politics, and whether suburban communities can trust their elected officials to follow through on their promises.
As residents prepare for Tuesday’s meeting, the message is clear: the community will no longer tolerate political incompetence or backroom deals that threaten their way of life. They’re demanding accountability, transparency, and immediate action to correct what they see as a betrayal of the public trust.
The Town Board’s response to this community uprising will likely determine not only the future of development in the Five Towns but also the political future of those who allowed this legal debacle to unfold.
The public is encouraged to attend the Town Board meeting on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Hempstead Town Hall to voice their concerns during public comment period. This issue is separate from The Woodmere Club Public Hearing.
Rental housing projects destroyed and set back oceanfront property and surrounding areas in Far Rockaway. They now threaten to do the same to the Five Towns. The politicians ignored the voice of the people. Let’s vote them out!
These aren’t co-ops or condos. They are five story rental housing projects. They will have tenants that are chosen by lottery. Ex-cons can get priority.
People moved to the Five Towns to get away from Brooklyn. Shocked to see politicians try to bulldoze their constituents who put them into office.
My family and many of my neighbors moved out of Brooklyn to the beautiful suburbs of Long Island. If Blakeman and his developers want to build these projects why not join up with Gov. Hochul and build them upstate which is desperate for more residents. As it is, the Five Towns is already quite congested and can’t handle anything this massive.
Time for new leadership. Blakeman is up for reelection this coming November. He sold the Five Towns community down the river. These massive rental housing developments will destroy everything the community built over many years.
It appears that Blakeman conspired with a major developer to change zoning laws behind the residents backs. Presumably the profits from these housing projects will be hundreds of millions of dollars. Follow the money trail.
I don’t understand all the complaining. Don’t you want to be able to visit your elderly parents on a shabbos afternoon? If they have to leave the 5 towns community because the huge 10,000 square house, with the bedrooms upstairs, isn’t doable for them anymore. It’s more affordable for them to live ina small 2 bedroom apartment with a Shabbos elevator. A shul next door, rather then a 2 mile hike in 100 degree heat. So, Yes many want these more affordable housing options. Those that are wealthy need to think about others as well. Many people think I’m crazy for living in a CO-OP in Brooklyn, rather then selling and buying a house. However, the house will cost me minimum 1.5 million, my Co0op won’t get me more 750k. My maintenance is less then a quarter what a mortgage will cost. Why spend that kind of money, which I don’t have either. If done correctly, meaning including apartment sizes, you can also keep young Kolel couples around for the long term.
Interesting when the same issue comes up in Jackson or Lakewood many people scream, hey they don’t want high density housing because of anti-semitism.
Could it be, the people in Jackson or Lakewood don’t want high density housing and they want a more suburban lifestyle
what kind of “news story” is this, including a “call to action”? is this journalism or activism?
If it is re-zoned for residential use – great, but why does it need to be high density, cramming in 1000s more people. The main reason why people move out of NYC to the suburbs – is to avoid the overpopulation and crowds, the open space and green land instead of concrete jungle of the city. I understand not everyone wants 1 acre lots, but that doesn’t mean building high-rise huge developments. There is room for small plots, and low apartment buildings. All these claims of elderly downsizing – how many of these people are there – not enough to fill the planned development. Young couples who want to afford to stay in the 5 Towns does not mean the entire neighborhood needs to change. I am all for developing these dead industrial zones into thriving residential areas – but not at the cost of high density apartment blocks and overpopulating suburbia.
What is the actual zoning proposed.
This is mission possible for the real estate division of the friends of the InDirectFire Forces
Isn’t blakeman a friend of the community?
The real issue should be can the present systems water power sewer and road ways handle this development. The present Infrastructure here was build on small town style and really can not handle this
Just wondering whose making money and whose been paid off
whatever they want is the rules apparently
Anyways we should all move to Israel and support our brothers and sisters who are chayalim and Chaya lot ! people actually want to buy our lands Baruch hashem we should conspire legally and sell and rebuild in Israel away from the jfk flyover and just build huge buildings and rezone adapt and profit handsomely
If they’re smart they’ll just get the federal government involved and pull a slippin jimmy and plant some George Hewlett artifacts like the frauds they all are and comitt
Not everyone wants to live in a house on a quarter acre to acre plot of land. Some people as they get older want to remain in the community, but in a smaller apartment that is near the center of town and/or transit. Some younger people also want to live in a community, but can’t afford – nor even desire – a massive home. Transit oriented development can help these categories of people, as well as others. Many people are rejecting the lifestyle of getting into a car and travelling 20 minutes in traffic for each and every task. TOD can keep these people in the community, and at the same time create a more livable community for everyone else!
Go to Tokyo or sao paolo see the beauty of the skyscrapers and pool equipped buildings with heliports and internal car ports you ignorant morons and just learn to adapt your orthodox cult ways into the 21st century from 1949
so its wrong when they do it to the hardys upstate but its ok when we do it to the desperate middle and low income families seeking to share in the american dream you are all a bunch of psychopathic sociopaths
I hope they build it so it’s more dense than the Gaza Strip