Town of Hemptead

HEMPSTEAD SUES ITS ZONING BOARD:

The Hempstead Town Board has taken the highly unusual step of suing its own zoning board of appeals over a popular Point Lookout waterfront bar.

At issue is the outdoor deck behind Scotty's Marina that overlooks Reynold's Channel. For patrons, it's been a prime spot to take in the view with a drink. For neighbors, it's been a nuisance.

The town board views the use of the deck as violating the rights of the Town of Hempstead, which owns the underwater land below the channel, and disagrees with the Hempstead zoning board of appeals decision that permitted dining there in November 2005.

The town board appoints members to the zoning board, an independent body.

Town Attorney Joseph Ra said the bar owners had never obtained the necessary permit to build it. The zoning board has decided to revisit the situation and has scheduled a hearing for Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.