Lindenhurst OKs site plan for Village Green

Lindenhurst's Village Green project took a step forward Monday when the village board approved site plans for the commercial portion of the massive development.

Charlie Hickcox, development director with Oliver McMillan, said now that site plans are in place, the firm can solidify lease agreements with 10 retailers.

Hickcox would not say Monday who the prospective tenants were, but he confirmed none of the anchor stores planned for the project have been secured.

Lindenhurst Village Green will be built on 200 acres just north of Grand Avenue, along Route 45 by San Diego-based Oliver McMillan.

The project will accommodate up to 600,000 square feet of retail, including three anchor stores, which village officials hope will create a downtown feel for the small bedroom community.

Plans also call for an unspecified number of residential units, which will be developed once the commercial component is in place.

Site approval came after a lengthy discussion between village board members and Luigi DeAngelis, a former village plan commission member and owner of One Park Place Ventures in Lindenhurst, who asked the board to postpone approval.

DeAngelis wants to open a hotel, indoor tennis club and live performance venue on the Village Green property. He currently owns about 20 acres abutting the Village Green. Because most of it is unbuildable wetlands, DeAngelis needs a portion of the Village Green property to complete his project.

"What the village is considering at this moment is a proposal by one developer," he said. "I have been working diligently over the last year to build up a due diligence package for the project I'm promoting. If one were to take the time to look into this package I've assembled, they would see this is a good thing for the village."

DeAngelis told the board Monday he has been working with Oliver McMillan and land owners Tim O'Leary and Rick Swanson since March 2007 and is close to a deal.

"The economic impact of the project I'm proposing is on scale with the retail component (Oliver McMillan) has composed," he said. "I just need a little bit more time to flush out the site."

Hickcox, however, repeatedly said his firm is not in negotiations with DeAngelis.

"We are not going to change the site plan, and we do not have discussions going on with Mr. DeAngelis," Hickcox said.

Trustees complemented DeAngelis on his vision but voted unanimously to approve Oliver McMillan's site plans.

"I think you bring some very creative ideas that could be very attractive and complementary," said Trustee Timothy Wayne. "But the part that is missing for me is a compelling reason to hold up the site plan for this project."