As with other villages in the Roslyn area, the Village of Roslyn Estates has attempted to maintain the residential nature of its neighborhoods through a series of amendments to local zoning codes.

In November, the village's board of trustees approved several such amendments, including those pertaining to the size of residential structures. On the matter of building heights, the BOT approved an amendment that stated that no multi-story building shall exceed 30 feet in height.

The BOT also took action on one-story buildings. It approved an amendment declaring that, "No one-story building, or one-story portion of a multi-story building shall exceed 21 feet in height." Accessory structures to such buildings cannot exceed 15 feet in height, the BOT ruled. In addition, all roofs of residential buildings must have a minimum slope of 30 degrees.

In addition, the BOT approved amendments dealing with front yards of residential structures. All front yards of homes in Roslyn Estates must take up space covering at least 30 yards from the street line "at any point." Or as the amendment states: "There shall be a front yard of such depth that no part of a building or other structure erected on such lot shall be closer than 30 feet to the street line at any point."

At their Nov. 29 meeting, the Roslyn Estates BOT approved amendments to local laws pertaining to legal fees and fences along Mineola Avenue and Old Northern Boulevard. Such fences, the BOT ruled, must not exceed ten feet in height and must be constructed of metal, wood, or stone, or "other masonry." The purpose of the amendment was to ensure that certain aesthetic and safety conditions are met when constructing such a fence.

In September, the BOT approved amendments similar to the ones passed at the November meeting. Such amendments have been approved in an effort to keep "bulky" housing from being constructed in Roslyn Estates.

Amendments approved last fall, defines floor areas in commercial buildings as containing "mixed uses," including several floors of any building, but not including attic space that provides for headroom of less than seven feet or cellar space that is used for utility installations or for storage.

Floor areas for residential buildings are now defined as "all habitable floors of the principal dwelling and of all accessory buildings." That would include attic space, basements, attached and detached garages, and roofed porches.

Similarly, the village defines a Game Court as "any outdoor surface in excess of 100 square feet, including formed ice....which is designed....for the playing of basketball, hockey, or any other game or games." The new definition would not include tennis courts, swimming pools, or driveways.

The village's building inspector is charged with determining any discrepancies in the new definitions, especially the sizes of attics and basements.