Developer, architect of 3 Suffolk complexes ordered to modify units after alleged Fair Housing Act violations found

The developer and architect of three Suffolk County housing complexes have been ordered to modify units and pay $40,000 in compensation because their designs discriminated against individuals with disabilities, Department of Justice officials said Monday.

The consent judgment means Sayville Development Group must follow a comprehensive plan to remedy violations at the three complexes, including "substantial specific retrofits," and compensate four aggrieved parties, said Kelly T. Currie, acting U.S. Attorney General for the Eastern District of New York.

The three complexes -- Sayville Commons Apartments in Sayville, Broadway Knolls Apartments in Holbrook and Oak Creek Commons Condominiums in Oakdale -- were developed by Paul Aniboli and designed by Stephen Fellman, officials said.

Hundreds of alleged violations of the Fair Housing Act were discovered at the three complexes, including lack of wheelchair accessible routes between dwelling units and common areas; excessively steep cross slopes and running slopes on such accessible routes; kitchen sinks and ranges that were inaccessible; outlets and thermostats that were too high or too low; and door thresholds that were too high, officials said.

"This settlement will ensure that the apartments in these complexes are accessible to the people living there, so they can fully use and enjoy their homes," Currie said.

Of the $40,000, Long Island Housing Services is to get $10,000.

The nonprofit's investigation led to the suit, a civil penalty and a retrofit fund to be used for certain modifications, officials said.