North Hills, New York

Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement North Hills is a village in the Town of North Hempstead in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 5,464 at the time of the 2020 census.

History

The glacial action that formed much of Long Island deposited Shelter Rock in what is now North Hills approximately 11,000 years ago.<ref name=":81">Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name=":81" />

During the 19th Century, one of the largest farms in the area was owned by Isaac Underhill Willets.<ref name="aronson">Aronson, Harvey, ed. Home Town Long Island. (Newsday, 1999). Template:ISBN.</ref>

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.<ref name=":81" /> 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.<ref name=":81" />

File:Duck Pond Drive, Estates II Subdivision, North Hills, Long Island, New York A.jpg

Duck Pond Drive in the Estates II subdivision – an example of a gated condominium 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.<ref name=":8">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":9">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The plan was to downzone and rezone for multiple uses, including for condominiums and cluster residences, a shopping center, and commercial and office buildings.<ref name=":9" /> Additionally, the rezoning would allow for buildings to be constructed as high as Template:Convert.<ref name=":9" />

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.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The master plan was rejected by the Nassau County Planning Commission twice – first in 1970 and then again in 1980 after revisions were made.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Then, after several more modifications were made, it was approved in March 1980.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On May 16, 1983, North Hills dedicated Lowell H. Kane Park.<ref name=":6">Template:Cite web</ref> The park, which is owned and operated by North Hills, is named after Lowell H. Kane – a former mayor of North Hills.<ref name=":6" />

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.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":4">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> After much dispute in and out of court, the case eventually dissolved, leaving the club in the hands of its members.<ref name=":0" />

Geography

File:North-hills-ny-map.gif

U.S. Census map of North Hills.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of Template:Convert, all land.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref>

The Long Island Expressway (Interstate 495) and the Northern State Parkway travel through North Hills.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

Template:US Census population As of the census of 2000, there were 4,301 people, 1,808 households, and 1,424 families residing in the village.<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 1,907 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Nassau County representation

North Hills is located in Nassau County's 10th Legislative district, which as of March 2022 is represented in the Nassau County Legislature by Mazi Melesa Pilip (R–Great Neck).<ref name=":5" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

New York State representation

New York State Assembly

North Hills is located in the New York State Assembly's 16th State Assembly district, which as of September 2024 is represented by Gina L. Sillitti (D–Manorhaven).<ref name=":5" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

New York State Senate

North Hills is located in the New York State Senate's 7th State Senate district, which as of September 2024 is represented by Jack M. Martins (R–Old Westbury).<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":14">Template:Cite web</ref>

Federal representation

United States Congress

North Hills is located in New York's 3rd congressional district, which as of September 2024 is represented in the United States Congress by Tom Suozzi (D–Glen Cove).<ref name=":5" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

United States Senate

Like the rest of New York, North Hills is represented in the United States Senate by Charles Schumer (D) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Politics

In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the majority of North Hills voters voted for Hillary Clinton (D).<ref name=":53">Template:Cite web</ref>

Parks and recreation

File:Christopher Morley Park Clock Tower, North Hills, Long Island, New York July 22, 2021.jpg

Christopher Morley Park on July 22, 2021.

Christopher Morley Park – A Nassau County-owned park located at the northeastern corner of North Hills.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref>
Lowell H. Kane Park – A park owned and operated by North Hills exclusively for village residents and their guests.<ref name=":6" />

Education

Schools

Public

North Hills is split among four public school districts. Depending on where in North Hills they reside, students attending public schools go to the Great Neck Union Free School District, the Herricks Union Free School District, the Manhasset Union Free School District, or the Roslyn Union Free School District.<ref name=":5" />

Additionally, the Manhasset UFSD's Shelter Rock Elementary School is located within the village.<ref name=":5" />

Private

File:Buckley Country Day School Entrance, North Hills, Long Island, New York September 18, 2021.jpg

An entrance to Buckley Day School in 2021.

The Buckley Country Day School is located within North Hills.<ref name=":5" />

Library districts

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.<ref name=":5" />

Infrastructure

Transportation

Road

Two limited-access highways, the Long Island Expressway (Interstate 495) and the Northern State Parkway, travel through and serve the village; the historic Long Island Motor Parkway used to pass through North Hills, as well.<ref name=":5" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other major roads which travel through North Hills include I.U. Willets Road (CR D24), Searingtown Road (CR 101), and Shelter Rock Road (CR 8).<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":10">Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Shelter Rock Road, North Hills, Long Island, New York September 18, 2021.jpg

Shelter Rock Road, looking north from Links Drive, on September 18, 2021.

Road layout

The road layout in North Hills is varied.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":10" /> Certain areas primarily feature cul-de-sacs, whereas other areas (especially the gated developments) feature many unpredictable, meandering roads.<ref name=":10" />

The village does not own any of the streets within its corporate limits, thus meaning they are not maintained through the village.<ref name=":10" /> The majority of streets within North Hills are privately-owned and maintained. Other streets are maintained and owned by Nassau County, the Town of North Hempstead, or New York State.<ref name=":10" />

Rail

No rail lines pass through North Hills.<ref name=":5" /> The nearest Long Island Rail Road stations to the village are Manhasset on the Port Washington Branch and Roslyn on the Oyster Bay Branch.<ref name=":5" />

Bus

The n25 and n26 bus routes run through a small section of the southwestern portion of the village.<ref name=":11">Template:Cite web</ref> These two bus routes are operated by Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE).<ref name=":11" />

North Hills Village Shuttle

File:Village of North Hills Shuttle Bus on Northern Boulevard, Manhasset, NY August 23, 2023.jpg

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.<ref name=":12">Template:Cite web</ref> The shuttle runs weekdays and a village-issued permit is required for transport.<ref name=":12" />

Utilities

Natural gas

National Grid USA provides natural gas to homes and businesses that are hooked up to natural gas lines in North Hills.<ref name=":38">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Power

PSEG Long Island provides power to all homes and businesses within North Hills.<ref name=":38" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sewage

The majority of North Hills is sewered.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":13">Template:Cite web</ref> The areas which are sewered are connected to and located with the Nassau County Sewage District, which handles and treats the village's sanitary waste.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":13" />

The remainder of the village relies on cesspools and septic systems.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":13" /> The unsewered areas in North Hills are primarily located along the panhandle extending towards Manhasset.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":13" />

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.<ref name=":5" /> Of these 4 water districts, the Manhasset–Lakeville Water District serves the majority of the village.<ref name=":5" />