Developer's Yaphank plan might entice BNL

It's a downsized mega-development for a downsized era.

After the poor economy tanked plans first pitched in 2006 for an 800,000-square-foot mall near the intersection of William Floyd Parkway and the Long Island Expressway, Yonkers-based developer AVR is now proposing a more modest mixed-use development.

The Meadows at Yaphank, on the site of the former Parr Meadows horse track, would feature 220 town house units, 486 condo units and 144 rental apartment units.

But the proposed development's distinctive feature might be its 550,000 square feet of proposed office, industrial and flexible commercial space -- to entice nearby Brookhaven National Lab, according to Brookhaven Town supervisor Mark Lesko.

"They expect to have a close relationship with Brookhaven National Lab in terms of providing housing and retail and office space," Lesko said.

Mike Bebon, deputy director of operations at BNL, said the developer first approached the lab seeking ideas for green technology.

The outreach was timely, since the lab is also "looking at opportunities to lease office space in the surrounding community," Bebon said, so it is monitoring the progress of the development.

The Meadows at Yaphank would also have 327,500 square feet of retail space and 5,000 square feet of restaurant space.

"This is a mixed-use community intended to be a sustainable development," said Brian Ferruggiari, director of public affairs for AVR. "It will generate more tax revenues, especially for the Longwood school district. More than 2,600 permanent jobs will be created when it is completed."

The town will hold a public hearing Tuesday on AVR's draft generic environmental impact statement.

Richard Amper, executive director of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society environmental group, said he'll be looking over the proposal carefully.

"Neither the Pine Barrens [Society] nor the town has had a chance to evaluate the project yet so our board will be looking at the draft environmental statement," Amper said. "It is a big project, and its biggest liability is its proximity to the Carmans River, which is in the midst of a huge preservation effort of its own."

Still, Lesko sounded a cautious note of optimism about the project. "It could be precisely the type of large smart project that the community would be receptive to that could be tax positive for the school district, and provides that much-needed next-generation housing and a fun place to recreate," Lesko said. "But we're going to take a good hard look at it."