The Nassau Coliseum redevelopment took the next step Thursday as Nassau Executive Tom Suozzi and the Lighthouse Development Group inked a deal to move forward with the project.

Suozzi and the developers signed a "Memorandum of Understanding," which allows the group to apply for zoning approvals from the Town of Hempstead. The Lighthouse group, headed by Islanders owner Charles Wang, needs approvals for Coliseum redevelopment, office space, shopping, parking and next generation housing units. Suozzi says questions about traffic impact, heights of buildings and square footage will be answered at the local level during the Town of Hempstead planning process.

Critics of the project say applying for permits before the county Legislature knows the plan is presumptuous. Minority Leader Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) says the plan is deficient and questions must be answered before he would consider supporting it.