The glacial action that formed much of Long Island deposited Shelter Rock in what is now North Hills approximately 11,000 years ago.[2] The Matinecock had a village in the area. Farming developed in North Hills in the middle part of the 17th century. Around this time a long fence was built along the road later known as Northern Boulevard, to the north of North Hills. The lands of the Cow Neck Peninsula enclosed by the fence (present day Manhasset and Port Washington) were used for grazing.[2]
During the 19th Century, one of the largest farms in the area was owned by Isaac Underhill Willets.[3]
The village was incorporated in 1929 as a tax haven to prevent the Town of North Hempstead (seated in nearby Manhasset) from raising taxes on the property, as well as to gain and maintain home rule powers.[2] The name North Hills was chosen due to how the village is located in the northern part of Nassau County and because the terrain is very hilly in the area.[2]
Duck Pond Drive in the Estates II subdivision, which is an example of a gatedcondominium development allowed under the 20th Century rezoning plans.
In the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, North Hills proposed rezoning and downzoning large portions of the village as part of a master plan.[4][5][6] The plan was to downzone and rezone for multiple uses, including for condominiums and cluster residences, a shopping center, and commercial and office buildings.[5] Additionally, the rezoning would allow for buildings to be constructed as high as 85 feet (26 m).[5]
The plan was extremely controversial as the downzoning of large estates included the estates of some village officials and their families, and it was believed that the officials were looking to downzone their properties for their own, personal benefit; it was also pointed out that the plans would have a severe, negative impact on neighboring communities, and that the village's planning board was bypassed when drafting the plan.[4][5][7][8] This caused the Village Board of adjacent Roslyn Estates to send telegrams to Governor Hugh Carey and Attorney General Louis Lefkowitz in 1977, asking them to investigate the matter, citing "possible impeachable offenses" from the officials in North Hills.[9]
The master plan was rejected by the Nassau County Planning Commission twice – first in 1970 and then again in 1980 after revisions were made.[10][11][12] Then, after several more modifications were made, it was approved in March 1980.[13][14]
On May 16, 1983, North Hills dedicated Lowell H. Kane Park.[15] The park, which is owned and operated by North Hills, is named after Lowell H. Kane, the former Mayor of North Hills.[15]
Deepdale Country Club controversy
As the general housing situation of the village of North Hills is private, gated community style living, there is little communal activity.[16] In the 2000s, after being ranked as one of the wealthiest communities in the United States, the Mayor of North Hills decided that acquiring the Deepdale Golf Club through eminent domain for the exclusive use of residents would make the village a better place, and that it would raise home values.[16][17][18][19] Deepdale, which is located on the grounds of the former estate of Joseph P. Grace, served the village with legal papers, claiming that they were abusing government power by trying to close a country club for residents only.[16][17][18][19] After much dispute in and out of court, the case eventually dissolved, leaving the club in the hands of its members.[16]
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,301 people, 1,808 households, and 1,424 families residing in the village.[23] The population density was 1,542.5 inhabitants per square mile (595.6/km2). There were 1,907 housing units at an average density of 683.9 per square mile (264.1/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 81.42% White, 0.91% African American, 15.83% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 1.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.
There were 1,808 households, out of which 19.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.5% were married couples living together, 3.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.66.
In the village, the population was spread out, with 14.5% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 17.2% from 25 to 44, 36.9% from 45 to 64, and 27.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $149,122, and the median income for a family was $184,223. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $60,789 for females. The per capita income for the village was $100,093. About 3.4% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Village government
As of June 2021, the Mayor of North Hills is Marvin Natiss, the Deputy Mayor of North Hills is Dennis Sgambati, and the Village Trustees of North Hills are Elliott Arnold, Gail Cohen, and Phyllis Lentini.[24]
Representation in higher government
Town representation
North Hills is located in the Town of North Hempstead's 4th council district, which as of March 2022 is represented on the North Hempstead Town Council by Veronica Lurvey (D–Great Neck).[25] However, a small corner of the village is located in the 5th council district, which as of March 2022 is represented on the North Hempstead Town Council by David A. Adhami (R–Great Neck).[26][27]
North Hills is split between four library districts. The Great Neck Library District serves the portions of North Hills zoned for the Great Neck UFSD, the Manhasset Library District served the areas zoned for the Manhasset UFSD, Roslyn's library district (the Bryant Library) serves the areas zoned for the Roslyn UFSD, and the Shelter Rock Library District serves the areas zoned for the Herricks UFSD.[21]
Shelter Rock Road, looking north from Links Drive, on September 18, 2021.
Road layout
The road layout in North Hills is varied.[21][38] Certain areas primarily feature cul-de-sacs, whereas other areas (especially the gated developments) feature many unpredictable, meandering roads.[38]
The village does not own any of the streets within the village, thus meaning they are not maintained through the village.[38] The majority of streets within North Hills are privately-owned and maintained. Other streets are maintained and owned by Nassau County or New York State.[38]
A Village Hall-bound Village of North Hills Shuttle bus in 2023.
The Village of North Hills also operates a free commuter shuttle between Village Hall and the Manhasset LIRR station for village residents; a designated shuttle parking lot is located at Village Hall.[40] The shuttle runs weekdays and a village-issued permit is required for transport.[40]
The remainder of North Hills relies on cesspools and septic systems.[21][45] The unsewered areas in North Hills are primarily located along the panhandle extending towards Manhasset.[21][45]
Water
North Hills is located within the boundaries of the Albertson Water District, the Garden City Park Water District, the Manhasset–Lakeville Water District, and the Roslyn Water District.[21] Of these 4 water districts, the Manhasset–Lakeville Water District serves the majority of the village.[21]
^ abLazarus, J. Louis (December 5, 1976). "The Battle of North Hills: Two views of proposed zoning changes that would bring offices, commercial buildings and condominiums to North Hills Change Is Inevitable...". The New York Times – via ProQuest.
^ abcdKaplan, Marjorie; Unger, Michael (November 6, 1976). "Cry of Self-interest In North Hills Plan: North Hills Neighbors Cry Foul". Newsday – via ProQuest.
^Kaye, David (June 21, 1969). "Residents Attack North Hills Plan". Newsday – via ProQuest.
^Gilgoff, Henry; Unger, Mike (June 17, 1970). "North Hills Plan Excluded Planners". Newsday – via ProQuest.
^Morgan, Jerry (December 5, 1976). "Master Plan for Disaster in North Hills". Newsday – via ProQuest.
^Mitchell, Alison (October 17, 1977). "Roslyn Estates at War With North Hills Mayor". Newsday – via ProQuest.
^Unger, Michael D. (November 11, 1970). "County Kills North Hills Downzoning". Newsday – via ProQuest.
^Long, Irving (March 7, 1980). "North Hills Plan Rejected". Newsday – via ProQuest.
^Long, Irving (October 30, 1979). "North Hills Aims to Stay 'Rural'". Newsday – via ProQuest.
^"North Hills Plan Is Revised". Newsday. February 7, 1980 – via ProQuest.
^Long, Irving (March 14, 1980). "North Hills Zoning Plan OKd". Newsday – via ProQuest.
^ ab"L. I. ESTATES GET MANY NEW HOMES: Well-Known Tracts on North Shore Are Being Cut Up for Residences YEAR'S TRADING WAS BRISK H. A. Rogers, Broker, Reviews Sales and Notes Improvements Under Way Brown Estate Purchased Wheatley Hills Activity". The New York Times. February 6, 1938 – via ProQuest.
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