Dear Neighbors,

It has come to my attention that some Locust Valley residents have misconceptions regarding the current study of Buckram Road. This report is intended to empower all of those residents who have an interest on the issue and to correct some false conclusions, which have circulated. I would like to note that the rumors and mistaken conclusions, which have been discussed and printed during the past months, were not done so maliciously, but rather, resulted from a lack of knowledge about the study and the role civic leaders are playing. I am confident the following memo detailing current and past events will better inform you.

THE FACTS
· No "Historic District" or "Architectural Review" has been formerly proposed. These are just two (2) of many considerations (including zoning changes and updated tree removal ordinances just to name a few) that have yet to be considered, following the completion of the Town's Study of the area.

· The Locust Valley Civic Association and the Locust Valley Historical Society have made a commitment to aid the Town in their efforts to collect data relating to the history and individual and insure homeowner input relating to the designated area. (see attachment # 3)

· Of the approximately 40 homes/buildings along Buckram/Oyster Bay Road from railroad trestle to railroad trestle:

o 4 homes are designated TOB Landmarks
o 1 home (just east of R.R. trestle) is also a TOB Landmark
o Approximately 18 contain significant history or architecture worthy of consideration for TOB Landmark designation

· In the entire Town of Oyster Bay there is not one Town Protected Historic District. One only needs to drive as far as Roslyn to view such a District.

HISTORY / TIMELINE
Since June of 1997, several Locust Valley residents have been meeting on a regular basis to discuss community concerns and speak with a unified voice with the mission of preserving the great quality of life in this community. Since 1997, The Locust Valley Civic Association has been instrumental in Community Safety, Traffic Safety, Developmental Planning, TOB Environmental Legislation, and the Creation of The United Civic Associations of North Oyster Bay. Most importantly, the Association serves as a liaison to County Government, The Town of Oyster Bay and or neighboring Incorporated Villages.

Over the course of the last six years The Locust Valley Civic Association has worked closely with The Town of Oyster Bay and various sub-division applicants resulting in mutually beneficial building plans in our community. The addition of ten (10) new building lots along Buckram/Oyster Bay Road during the last two years raised awareness of deteriorating conditions in this area of town (see attachment #1).

A summer, 2001 study of Buckram/Oyster Bay Road resulted in an inquiry to The Town of Oyster Bay Historic Commission by the Locust Valley Civic Association regarding the possibility of creating a Town of Oyster Bay "Historic District". After reviewing Town Law concerning a "Historic District", the effort was promptly terminated due to the restrictions, which would be unfairly borne by homeowners in the designated area. The Locust Valley Civic Association appreciated that the answer to the growing concerns on Buckram/Oyster Bay Road lay somewhere other than the creation of a "Historic District".

On March 5th of 2002, The Town of Oyster, having been made aware of the community concerns, The Civic Association's efforts and the past history of the area, imposed a moratorium on the issuance of building permits, site plans, special use and subdivision approvals. The intention was and remains to study Buckram Road's potential future development sites and devise a suitable plan to preserve its attractive and historic character.
(see attachment #1).

Since January, 2002, The Locust Valley Civic Association has hosted three public informational meetings at the Locust Valley Library meeting room, sent a certified mailing to every property owner in the area of study, and walked home to home within the designated area on two separate occasions. We are committed to hearing the opinions from all interested, but more importantly, we seek the comments from those most affected (the property owners in the designated area of study) by any potential resolution by our Town Board. (see attachment #3)

THE RUMORS
· Some have commented that the Town Moratorium was urged as precursor to the creation of a Historic District and architectural review. This is untrue. In fact, the moratorium imposed by the Town of Oyster Bay followed an extensive review of the effects of a potential Historic District under TOB Historic Law, as it currently exists. The results of this study clearly point in one of two directions:

o 1) Under the current TOB Historic Law, the creation of a Historic District is not feasible based upon the unique composition of Buckram Road (homes both old and new, homes with and without significant History).

o 2) The only way a Historic District could address the unique composition of Buckram Road is if a The TOB Historic Laws were updated to address the many concerns of the effected homeowners within the district. One example is the creation of separate standards for properties within the designated based upon varying age, construction design and historical significance, which current TOB Historic District Laws do not address.

· Locust Valley Residents have commented, "Why now, it appears that all the damage has already been done". This is untrue. An initial study conducted by Frederick P. Clark Associates, TOB consultants, has designated 19 potential additional building lots along Buckram Road. In addition, these 19 lots do not include the 10 lots, which have already been approved by the various agencies during the last few years
(7 additional lots at Country Inn Site and 3 additional lots at the Baldwin Ave
corner).

· Some concern has been expressed with regard to the precedent the Town Board could make by declaring Buckram Road part of a Historic District. While I don't have an answer to this, it does raise additional questions. They are: Should every street and community in Oyster Bay be held to the same standard? Does any area display unquestionable Character and History worthy of additional protection? If the protection of a specifically designated area in Oyster Bay is not a good idea (because than every other community in Oyster Bay will want it), than why do we have specific guidelines in our Town Law to do just that?

· Some residents have expressed a concern that The Locust Valley Civic Association is promoting a plan that it feels most appropriate to solve the community's potential future problems. This is untrue. The LVCA has no authority to implement any of the various strategies previously mentioned. Only our elected Representatives in Oyster Bay have the lawful power to implement any laws affecting the land use of our residents. The LVCA continues to act in one capacity with regard to the TOB Study of Buckram Road; the gathering of data and community input to better inform our Elected Officials when the time comes for them to decide a course of action.

INTERESTED PARTIES
The following Organizations/individuals/officials have expressed a desire to contribute to the study and ultimate implementations along Buckram Road:

· Locust Valley Civic Association, (516) 877-8211
P.O. Box 274, Locust Valley, NY 11560
(see attachment #2)

· Locust Valley Historical Society, (516) 671-1837)
170 Buckram Road
Locust Valley, NY 11560

· Town of Oyster Bay, Office of the Supervisor (516) 624-6350
Att: Josephine Macchia, Assistant to the Supervisor
54 Audrey Avenue
Oyster Bay, NY 11771

· Frederick P. Clark Associates, Inc. (914) 967-6540 (516 364-4544
350 Theodore Fremd Avenue
Rye, NY 10580

· Locust Valley Water District, (516) 671-1783
· Locust Valley Fire Department (516) 676-0560
· Locust Valley Library (516) 671-1837

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can join the Locust Valley Civic Association (see attachment # 2). If you live in Locust Valley or a neighboring community, I encourage you to contact one of the Parties listed above if you have an opinion to be heard. Included in this publication you will find a Downtown Buckram Survey, which I hope you will complete and return. (see attachment # 3).

CONCLUSION
John Adams was undeniably the real force, which influenced the second Continental Congress to draft and sign our historic Declaration of Independence in 1776. Most Americans learned of the two opposing parties during the birth our Nation, those seeking independence and those loyal to Britain. John Adams reported that the real threat to our independence was not the delegates who were loyal to Britain, but rather the Pacifists who refused to sign on to either side because both sides promised a battle to support their cause. Today, in same way, the greatest enemy to good planning is not the different perspectives of our contrasting ideologies, but rather, "APATHY"! You can agree with community efforts, or disagree, but please do not sit idly by as decisions on the future of your community are made.

Sincerely,

Paul Annunziato, Chairman
Committee To Study Buckram Road
Locust Valley Civic Association

Legislative Intent (Section 2):
The Town Board of the Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York is concerned with respect to the potential future development and possible redevelopment of properties located generally along Buckram Road, extending from Edgewood Place on the West to Bayville Road on the East, in the Locust Valley area, which development or redevelopment may impact the presently attractive residential and, in some cases, possibly historic character of said area. It is, therefore, the Town Board's intent to have a study prepared of current and potential future development in this area based upon current zoning and other applicable controls. This moratorium is determined to be necessary in order to prevent the granting of building permits and other regulatory approvals until such study has been completed and its recommendations, if any, have been carefully considered, and if determined appropriate, put into effect.

Effective Date (Section 6):
Shall remain in full force and effect for a period of six (6) months from its effective date. NOTES: Public Hearing, January 22, 2002
Adopted Resolution, March 5, 2002
Effective Date, March 21, 2002

Name:_____________________ Address:_____________________________________
Phone (H):__________________ Phone (W):___________________________________

Year 2002 Annual Dues
Suggested Annual Dues Per Household: $20
Annual Donation: _________________
Please make your checks payable to: Locust Valley Civic Association

Mail your checks to:

PLEASE NOTE: The scheduled $20 per household provides the needed revenue to offset all necessary administrative cost involved in maintaining correspondence, advertising, Post Office Box, stationary, and other miscellaneous items. We rely on individual donations to continue our efforts, which contribute to maintaining the best quality of like in our great community.