The letter, "Historic District Dividing Roslyn Heights" (Roslyn News, Nov. 12) was distressing to read. At the meeting on Nov. 5 before the Town of North Hempstead Historic Commission, the chairman, Dr. George Williams, made it clear that anyone in Roslyn Heights who wanted to apply for historic status for their house or area could do so.

The idea for a historic district arose when a builder asked for a variance for the Ellenoff property at 191 Elm Street in order to tear down the house and put up two modern homes. Neighbors got together to have the house declared "historic" and the variance was denied.

From this, for protection of the surrounding area, these neighbors researched the possibility of forming a historic district. The area chosen was based on a town map in which the present site had been cited as a potential historic district.

The intent was not to divide Heights but rather, if the Historic Commission and the town approved the present application, to expand the district into other areas so that there was the greatest possible protection and stability afforded all of Heights.

I sympathize with the author of the letter, Ms. Woods, if she lives west of Mineola Avenue; she must be heartbroken to see what has happened in her lovely community. I would urge Ms. Woods to work with her neighbors and the Historic Commission to develop a historic district in her area. Several of us plan to expand in our own in the future because the proposed district is not inclusive and was not intended to be; it was a start.

Ilse Govoni