Relocation of Development Plans at Former Long Island Country Club Moves Forward

The long-debated effort to develop the site of a former upscale country club on Long Island appears to be nearing approval. Local developers Robert Weiss and Efrem Gerszberg have contested nearly a decade of opposition from the community to build on the 117-acre area, previously the Woodmere Country Club in Hempstead, Nassau County.

Initially, their proposal was for nearly 300 single-family homes, but they have since revised their plans to focus on a smaller, luxury senior-living facility. This new plan involves constructing over-55 condos across two interconnected buildings with a shared private clubhouse. The development would occupy a 34-acre northern section of the site, which is entirely within the village of Hempstead, with the remaining 83 acres preserved as open space, including part of the golf course and the original clubhouse.

Developers have requested rezoning of the land’s 34-acre section, prompting a recent town board hearing. Supporters highlight the plan’s benefits in reducing traffic, parking issues, and environmental impacts, notably compared to previous proposals and the restrictions set by earlier zoning rules. A lawyer representing the developers emphasized that the current designation would have allowed substantial development, including 59 large homes, suggesting the new plan offers a more community-friendly compromise.

While some residents expressed concerns about increased traffic and neighborhood character changes, local officials and the village mayor have shown tentative support, indicating that the proposal might satisfy community needs. The Hempstead Town Board has yet to schedule a vote on the zoning change, leaving the future of the project uncertain.