In a 6-0 decision, the Hempstead Town Board approved a zoning change for a proposal to redevelop Oceanside Jewish Center into homes on Brower Avenue. Senior Council Member Dorothy Goosby was the only board member not at this morning's meeting.

Oceanside Jewish Center has tried for years to sell because of a shrinking congregation.

The project called Fieldstone at Oceanside will create 59 two-story luxury two- and three-bedroom townhomes. Each home would include a garage, driveway and dedicated guest parking.

The property would also have green space, fencing around the perimeter, traffic light at the entrance and would not take on a payment in lieu of taxes agreement.

"Taking a property that is now off the tax rolls because it's exempt due to its religious use and contributing now with probably somewhere near $800,000 in taxes, that will benefit the schools and the community as well," said the developer's attorney, Dan Baker.

Some community members have expressed support for the project, saying there's a need for more housing in the area.

Oceanside resident Ray Abatia lives next to the property.

“They told me they were keeping it within 20 feet of my fence line, and they’re going to put some greenery there," he said. "I have no objection."

Others are concerned about the project's effect on traffic.

“This is the way I commute every day, and I think it will impact that," one Oceanside resident said.

The developer initially proposed building more homes on the property but has scaled the project back over the last 2 1/2 years to address community concerns.

The developer said he hopes to have site plans done in the next seven months and another 30-45 days after that to secure building permits with construction beginning possibly before the end of this year.

"Could be this year we break ground," developer Nick Girardi said.