Controversial Plan to Rebuild Historic LI Country Club Nears Approval After a Decade of Delays

For nearly a decade, the contentious battle over the redevelopment of a former upscale Long Island country club has captured the attention of local officials and residents alike. Now, after years of legal wrangling and revised proposals, the project appears closer than ever to moving forward.

The 117-acre property, once home to the Woodmere Country Club in Hempstead, Nassau County, has been at the center of an ongoing dispute between New Jersey developers Robert Weiss and Efrem Gerszberg and several surrounding towns. Originally, the developers sought to construct close to 300 single-family homes on the site, but shifting priorities and community feedback have led them to propose a more modest alternative: a luxury senior-living facility.

Last week, representatives for Weiss and Gerszberg appeared before the Hempstead Town Board to request a rezoning of a 34-acre portion of the land. Their hope is to begin construction on what they describe as a more community-sensitive development that would include open space preservation and address local infrastructure concerns.

Woodsburgh Mayor Jake Harman, whose village lies within the town of Hempstead, voiced cautious optimism during the hearing. “In nearly a decade, we’ve seen several proposals — many of which didn’t align with the surrounding community,” he said. “This one preserves a significant amount of landscaped open space and meets the needs of our aging population.”

The current plan comes as part of a broader effort to resolve a costly legal conflict involving ten lawsuits—eight in state court and two in federal court—between the developers and the villages of Woodsburgh, Lawrence, and Woodmere. These legal battles have drained public resources, saddling taxpayers with hefty legal fees.

Weiss and Gerszberg acquired the property in 2017 with initial plans to shutter the club by 2021 and convert it into residential housing. The pandemic accelerated the closure in 2020, leaving the site vacant and further intensifying the debate over its future.

Back in 2016, the year before the purchase, the town placed a moratorium on new development at the location to prevent large-scale construction. That ban was later overturned in court as unconstitutional. In response, town officials created a new zoning category—the Coastal Conservation District—which restricted development to just 59 single-family homes while preserving 83 acres, including the nine-hole golf course and original clubhouse.

Unsurprisingly, the developers challenged this designation in court. Now, after years of contention, their latest proposal offers a compromise: a smaller, senior-focused development that includes a significant portion of preserved land.

Under the current plan, the 34-acre northern section of the property—entirely within the village of Hempstead—would host over-55 condominium units across two buildings connected by a private clubhouse. Meanwhile, 50 acres would be set aside as preserved open space, and an additional five acres would become a public park.

Jack Martins, the developers’ attorney, argued that even under the existing zoning rules, the area could see up to 59 large homes along with new roads and infrastructure demands. He described the revised plan as a superior alternative. “It offers a better outcome for traffic, parking, environmental impact, and the community as a whole,” Martins told the board.

While some local leaders like Harman have expressed support, not everyone is convinced. Woodmere resident Steven Fuchs voiced concerns about increased traffic and the potential transformation of neighborhood character. “While the development looks beautiful, I live there—and the road simply can’t handle 160 units and over 300 cars,” he said.

Still, momentum seems to be building. Lawrence Mayor-elect Shlomo Nahmias, once skeptical of the project, called the proposal “a good deal” that reflects community concerns. “There might be some small tweaks needed, but for the most part, people are receptive,” he added. “At the end of the day, it’s up to the town of Hempstead.”

As of now, the Hempstead Town Board has not scheduled a vote on the rezoning request, but all signs point to a decision being closer than ever.