Residents, builders spar over Yaphank plan
More than 40 speakers attend project's first public hearing
1 comments below
For nearly five years, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy has been working toward his goal of declaring county-owned land in Yaphank surplus property in an effort to construct a large-scale destination center with an affordable housing component.
Those plans, now dubbed Legacy Village, were finally the subject of a public hearing Tuesday, as local residents and members of the building community aired their conflicting opinions before legislators charged with determining if the 250 acres south of exit 67 off the Long Island Expressway should be declared surplus.
Speaking for nearly an hour before the public had its turn, Levy aides stressed Tuesday that the plan's main focus is to solve the "brain drain," by bringing 1,000 new affordable housing units to the community, along with an industrial center designed to create jobs for local residents.
"Our children who were born here are finding it more difficult to remain here," said deputy county executive Chris Kent, who presented the plans along with planning director Thomas Isles.
Supporters of the project Tuesday included labor and building officials who said the plan will create 1,000 construction jobs and 3,000 badly needed permanent jobs.
"The value of Legacy Village is a half-billion dollars," said John Guadagna of IBEW Local 25, who estimated the project could have a stronger impact on the local economy than the federal stimulus package.
"We have affordable housing here, due to all the foreclosures," said South Yaphank Civic Association president Johan McConnell.
"I must have heard the words affordable housing 70 times so far today," said fellow Yaphank resident John Palasek. "This is not just about affordable housing."
The plan also calls for a 5,500-seat arena and outdoor stadium, 90-room hotel, retail stores, four restaurants, 70 rental apartments and 50,000 square feet of office space.
The county first acquired a piece of the more than 900 acres it now owns between Horseblock Road and Sills Road with the purchase of the county farm in 1870, Mr. Isles said. Most of the land was purchased in the 1960s and 1970s, he added.
Mr. Isles and Mr. Kent tried to debunk theories that the lands, being near the Carmans River and the Long Island Pine Barrens Region, are environmentally sensitive. Mr. Kent said that with a nearby town landfill, Grucci industrial property and the Caithness Power Plant, the property is more a candidate for development than for preservation.
"This is a developed area," he said. "This is not pristine land."
Several legislators spoke out with concern for the Longwood School District, expressing disappointment that with the way the proposal is drawn up, all of the housing falls within the district, which could increase enrollment and raise taxes, while the industrial and recreational components fall within the boundaries of the South Country School District.
Despite those concerns, Mr. Kent maintained that the project would be tax positive for both school districts, promising that the county executive would even look into ways the districts could share any tax benefits.
"I hope you are correct, but I doubt it," said Legis. Thomas Barraga (R-West Islip). "If this is built, this is not going to work out for the Longwood School District. Take my word for it.
"You better deal with the school district now, not later," he added.
Daniel Tomaszewski, vice president of the Longwood Board of Education, said he believes Mr. Levy has not done enough to reach out to the district.
"We have the resources to provide information that is critical for consideration by county planners, but it has not been sought since very early on in the project," he said.
Mr. Kent called the plans presented to the Legislature Tuesday "very conceptual." He said a formal proposal wouldn't be available until further along in the process, when the Town of Brookhaven Planning Board would have to approve a site plan. Brookhaven's Town Board would also need to approve a change of zone on the parcel before construction could begin.
Mr. Kent even went so far Tuesday as to say "there is no proposal, just a concept," a comment that irked at least one legislator.
"You say there's no proposal; I wonder what this is," said Legis. Kate Browning (WF-Shirley), whose district includes the county-owned land.
The public hearing was left open Tuesday. The discussion is expected to resume Dec. 1, according to a release from the Legislature's press office.
Suffolk's Council on Environmental Quality is expected to discuss the project at a meeting Dec. 9, Mr. Kent said.
Legis. Bill Lindsay (D-Holbrook), presiding officer of the Legislature, said he would not call for a vote on declaring the land surplus until after the county executive negotiates a sale with the developers.
gparpan@northshoresun.com
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1 comments found
: 11/20/2009
WE DON"T WANT LEGACY VILLAGE
Here are two words for you, Mr. Levy,
HOMESTEAD VILLAGE.
An "affordable development" that was built with the built with the "best of intentions" that ended up being the worst thing that ever happened to the Gordon Heights Community.
Today, you can buy homes in Shirley, Mastic, Mastic Beach for under $ 150,000 with taxes less than $ 4000.00
Mr. Levy, We are already have affordable homes for our younger generation to purchase.
.
