Concerned Residents Pack Meeting About Proposed Rental Units

East Islip, NY — Dozens of concerned local residents attended an informational meeting on Thursday night at the American Legion in East Islip, where developer Larry Gargano fielded questions about a proposed zoning change allowing him to turn two single family homes into senior rental units. The small room was standing room only as residents spilled out into the hallway to express concerns, sign a petition and ask Gargano questions.

A notification was sent from Greenview Properties to homes within 200 feet of the properties in question, 7 and 9 Bayview Avenue, but local residents disseminated the letter through social media and organized Facebook groups and online petition to protest the rezoning. The zoning change would be from Residential A, single-family homes, to Residential C, allowing Greenview Properties to construct up to 29 55-and-over rental units on the property.

Many in the crowd were angry, and a host of concerns were raised by residents who spoke out at the informal meeting, including issues of traffic, safety, strain on emergency and civil services, the character of the residential neighborhood and even the legitimacy of the rezoning approval process. Residents questioned the impact of added traffic on families who walk and bike in the area as well as the heavy use Bayview Avenue sees for visitors to the marina and sports fields at the end of the street.

Residents who live on and near Bayview repeatedly stressed how taxed the intersection of Bayview Avenue and Main Street is, with one resident explaining "We can't get out of our block. We are trapped not even during rush hour."

Other residents how the traffic study was done, questioning if it examined the affect on the residential streets surrounding the proposed development as well as on Main Street. Concerns about emergency services needed for a senior community were also raised, as well as the 59-car parking lot proposed with the rental unit.

The planning board hearing to discuss the issue has not yet been set.