Sandy Hills development at stalemate
Project will be tweaked by engineers before final environmental statement
7 comments below
MIDDLE ISLAND--Planners are tweaking the Sandy Hills development, a mixed-use proposal for the east side of Rocky Point Road in Middle Island under consideration by Brookhaven Town for a required zone change.
Sandy Hills LLC developer Frank Weber is seeking approval before the town to construct a 135-unit housing complex on a 39.8-acre parcel of land, one of three properties that are key components of the town's land-use plan. The Sandy Hills project employs plans for the concept of smart growth, a walkable village-type setting that includes work-force housing, retail, office space and some recreational uses.
Fourth District Councilwoman Connie Kepert said the project is still locked into the review process, noting that the applicant for the project must still submit revisions to the final environmental impact statement. Once the revisions are submitted, the planning department will ask questions that must be answered by the applicant, she said.
"They are moving along in the review process," she said.
Engineers for the project, Nelson, Pope and Voorhies of Melville, are considering increasing the amount of area preserved so that it "meets the standards of the Pine Barrens Commission," she said. They are also "looking at moving the housing units farther south, closer to the intersection of Rocky Point Road and Middle Country Road," she added. After the planning department reviews the applicant's revisions, she said, they will then have to answer questions based on their application.
The town's land-use plan also includes suggestions for Sandy Hills' neighbors -- the Sam Glass property across the street, which is slated for the 66-unit Middle Island Town Home project, and the former Kogel property, which is located to the south on Middle Country Road. The plan also takes into consideration the former Kmart and surrounding property, which is owned by Wilbur Breslin. Preliminary plans for the property include a Main Street vista with extensive landscaping, an infinity pool, fountains, a waterfront restaurant overlooking Artist Lake, retail space and ball fields. The developer expects to make regular visits to civic meetings to get input from the community.
"Even if Connie Kepert was able to cobble enough votes to put [the project] through," he said, "I think the commission would do the same as they did with Tallgrass."
Though she would not disagree with a cumulative review of development on the Carmans River watershed, Ms. Kepert explained, the hydrological area is about 1,000 feet from the proposed development area.
"I don't think that the Pine Barrens Commission has any intention of looking at this proposal because [the project] is going to meet all of its requirements," she said.
Ms. Kepert took exception with Mr. Amper's assessment that the development was too close to Middle Country Road, by calling the intersection the traditional crossroads of Middle Island.
"We are trying to get people out of their cars," she said.
Mr. Alexander also argued for the development's use of smart-growth principals, questioning why 40 to 60 single-family homes featuring cesspools would be better than one sewage treatment plant servicing the Sandy Hills development.
"[Mr. Amper] is just off base," he added.
Second District Councilwoman Jane Bonner would not say whether she planned to vote in favor of the project or not, pointing out there were "a number of legitimate environmental concerns" that were aired during the public hearing on the matter several months ago. Ms. Bonner expressed concern about the Carmans River Watershed, comparing it to the South Shore's sensitive Forge River, which has become polluted from poor planning and overdevelopment.
"It is important we don't make the same mistakes," she said.
peggy@northshoresun.com
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7 comments found
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We don"t need more Houses!!!!!!!!!!! : 8/9/2011
stop Developing are Island
this Bull crap
O but were preserving 2 acres?
o Gives a Crap your still Building 60 somthing Codos
withc we don"t need
