North Hempstead to Update Master Plan for First Time in 30 Years

Town Supervisor Jenifer DeSena announces comprehensive planning effort to guide future development and preserve neighborhoods.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Town of North Hempstead will begin updating its comprehensive master plan for the first time in more than three decades, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jenifer DeSena announced. The plan, last updated in 1989, will guide long-term decisions on land use, infrastructure and community growth. Officials plan to issue a request for proposals for consultants to assist with the update, which DeSena said will coordinate planning across departments while protecting the suburban character residents expect.

Why it matters

North Hempstead's last comprehensive master plan was created in 1989, so this update will be crucial in shaping the town's future development and preserving the suburban character that residents value. The plan will guide decisions on issues like land use, infrastructure, and community growth over the coming decades.

The details

The comprehensive planning effort was one of several initiatives DeSena highlighted during her annual State of the Town address. She said the update will coordinate planning across town departments while protecting the suburban character residents expect. The town is also balancing long-term investment with continued tax relief as it prepares for the nation's 250th anniversary in July.

  • The Town of North Hempstead last updated its comprehensive master plan in 1989.
  • North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jenifer DeSena announced the plan update during her annual State of the Town address on March 9, 2026.

The players

Jenifer DeSena

The North Hempstead Town Supervisor who announced the comprehensive master plan update.

Sean McCarthy

The Democratic supervisor candidate who criticized the format of the State of the Town address for not allowing residents to ask questions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our residents expect us to protect the quality of life that makes North Hempstead special.”

— Jenifer DeSena, North Hempstead Town Supervisor (longislandpress.com)

“I really wish the supervisor had taken questions from the floor. It's one of the only opportunities residents get to ask their supervisor and their elected government face-to-face questions, and they expect a response. For the second year in a row, they weren't able to do that.”

— Sean McCarthy, Democratic supervisor candidate (longislandpress.com)

What’s next

Officials plan to issue a request for proposals for consultants to assist with the master plan update.

The takeaway

This comprehensive master plan update is a crucial step for North Hempstead to guide the town's future development and preserve the suburban character that residents value, after the previous plan was last updated over 30 years ago in 1989.