Eastport development plans draw concern

A pharmacy, bank and office space development proposed for Eastport would damage the local quality of life, opponents say. But the project's supporters say it could be a financial boon for the small hamlet.

The Commons at Eastport would rise on 4.4 acres at the northwest corner of Montauk Highway and Union Avenue, representatives of developer Northwind Group of Hauppauge said at last week's Brookhaven Town Board meeting.

The Commons would feature New England-style architecture for a pharmacy and a bank with drive-throughs, and office space. The plan calls for a village green with landscaping, benches and a clock tower, and preservation of some of the natural growth on the site.

The town held a public hearing on Northwind's application for a change of zoning from the parcel's current residential and business designation to a higher level of business zoning to accommodate the development.

An unoccupied two-story home sits there now, and a King Kullen shopping center is nearby.

The Commons would be pedestrian-friendly for shoppers who walk from Main Street, according to the developer. Northwind is also building a local condo development, Eastport Meadows.

Some residents of Union Avenue worried that their quiet street would be clogged by traffic from the project.

"Union Avenue is residential. It should remain residential," said Joan Kuech Bobier, whose home borders the site.

As an example of threats to a community filled with green spaces, Bobier described recently finding a box turtle meandering across Union Avenue. "This proposal will destroy the ecology of the area," she said.

Another resident wondered whether the project could be completed, let alone flourish in the difficult economy.

"It does have potential benefits for the community," said Jim Gleason of the East Moriches Property Owners Association. "But the project raises uncertainty. The economy is bad."

The $5 million development would yield 27 full-time construction jobs and 90 full-time operational jobs, as well as $90,000 in annual tax revenue, two-thirds of that to the local school district, the developer said.

Andrea Milano, president of the local chamber of commerce, praised the infusion of tax money into the Eastport-South Manor school district. "The chamber feels this would revitalize Main Street and Eastport," she said.

Councilman Dan Panico, who represents Eastport, praised Northwind owner Jim Tsunis' cooperation with the community but said he wanted weight restrictions for Union Avenue traffic and other traffic-calming measures included.

"I haven't made my determination yet and I'm still in discussions," Panico said after the board meeting.

The town board will accept written comments on the zoning change application until next Tuesday.

The Commons at Eastport, on 4.38 acres, would feature:

PHARMACY: 14,673 square feet

OFFICE SPACE: 14,000 square feet

BANK: 3,800 square feet

VILLAGE GREEN: 18,000 square feet

PARKING SPACES: 203 (65 of which would be built only if needed)

Source: Northwind Group and Councilman Dan Panico