Community Raises Concerns About Plans For Eastport King Kullen Plaza

EASTPORT, NY — Plans for the King Kullen shopping plaza in Eastport have some residents raising concerns about traffic, maintaining the community character of the area, and what a potential new eatery at the site could mean.

Brookhaven Town Councilman Dan Panico said the new owner of the property intends to submit a new site plan application to the town planning department for review.

"This would not be a matter before the town board for any change of zone, because the property is already commercially zoned J2," he said.

The proposal would be reviewed by the planning board and then, there would be a public hearing before that board, Panico said.

"It is far too early to say when that might occur because the applicant and his representatives need to get their plans and all required papers into the planning department," Panico said. "That public hearing will have to be advertised and would be many months away from now."

According to the Long Island Press, in April, a retail center owner and real estate investment trust based in Florida made a deal for Regency Centers Corp to purchase four Long Island shopping centers for $130 million, including the Eastport center, as well as Wading River Commons, which is also anchored by King Kullen.

After meeting with the new owners, Panico said a lot of the comments and concerns made by residents online were reiterated to the owner and his team.

"He purchased the property and wants to beautify the center," Panico said. "He is amenable to adding additional trees, replacing all of the lighting, redoing the entire parking lotand all of the curbing, etc. He also mentioned adding electric charging stations as a possibility and is interested in hearing what people have to say."

Panico said the owner was notified that after the application is received and complete, a referral to the town’s historic district advisory committee will be made by the town. Additionally, Panico said the voices of local chambers, civic organizations, and fire departments would need to be heard.

"Regarding the additional building, they seem to have interest in a medical tenant and restaurant that isn’t fast food or a drive thru," Panico said.

Panico reminded that the information given to the public so far was just a quick summary of what is still a proposal.

"I will update once there is more pertinent information in the months to come," Panico said.