Lawrence residents say proposed developments will create more traffic

Angry residents in Lawrence sounded off Tuesday against proposed developments they say will create more traffic headaches for people in the area.

News 12 Staff

Aug 17, 2022, 2:59 AM

Updated 783 days ago

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Angry residents in Lawrence sounded off Tuesday against proposed developments they say will create more traffic headaches for people in the area.
There was a big turnout at the Lawrence County and Yacht Club to talk about their frustration when it comes to what they call "severe overdevelopment."
"I'm not saying people can't come here - that's not what I'm saying - I'm saying, we are not a city, we are not New York City," says Judi Bernstine.
Some of the projects Bernstine and other residents are angry about include a development at Lawrence Woodmere Academy slated to bring in several new single-family homes and an Amazon warehouse on the Nassau County and Queens border.
They are worried these developments will create congested roads and become a safety issue.
"If we have all these cars coming in, how does a fireman get through, how does a fireman get to the fire station," Bernstein says. "How about the doctor, how about an ambulance, how about anybody, I mean it's really hard to get around the neighborhood."
Bernstein says the projects were approved with very little input from those who have lived in the area for years.
Some Five Town residents, however, like Mitch Michaeli say development is inevitable and the public forum should be focused on infrastructure and what it will take to accommodate the projects.
"What we should be fighting for is updated infrastructure, everybody needs growth bottom line, growth is good for everybody, overgrowth is not good for everybody, but you need growth," says Michaeli. "Because if you price too high, nobody moves here and places die out, but with that you need roads, more ways to get out."
There will be another meeting about the issue in the town of Hempstead on Sept. 20.