The 9.25 acres of property located at 555 Jericho Turnpike have been a controversial topic for many years. Local residents have been fighting to landmark the property and the structures on it for over five years.

The structures on the property are the Ketcham/Underhill house (C. 1800), the Underhill house to the south of the property (built in 1890) and the barn (C. 1800).

Two applications were originally sent to the Town of Oyster Bay in an attempt to landmark the property- one application included the structures on the property, the house and barn, and the other application included the land.

After the town voted to accept both applications approximately two years ago, Sam Mitchell, the owner of the property at that time, filed an article 78 which challenges the designation of the barn as a landmark. Although at that time, everyone involved wanted the house landmarked, the Nassau County Supreme Court overturned not only the designation of the barn, but the designation of the house as well.

"That was never anyone's intention," said Wayne Edwards, attorney for David Maron, current owner of the property. "We all wanted the house designated a landmark - Sam Mitchell, my client David Maron who bought it from Sam Mitchell and the local residents."

According to Edwards, he and his client asked the town to designate the house as a landmark. The hearing was included on the Jan. 21 agenda for the town board hearing as a formality to landmark the Ketcham/Underhill Farmhouse, the house closest to Jericho Turnpike.

"The process is complete and it is basically re-confirmed as a landmark," said Edwards.

What happens with the rest of the property is up to the current owner. According to Edwards, his client plans to build 30 single-family residences on the property, including the one landmarked house. The barn will be sold or torn down.

The land is currently zoned for residential housing so no special use permit will be needed. Maron is currently going through site plan review with the Town of Oyster Bay and the sub-division process with Nassau County.