Huntington Town board likely to reject Avalon Bay plan

The Huntington Station Avalon Bay development - a project once heralded by local leaders and developers as a transit-oriented housing option for people of varying incomes and ages - appears likely to be rejected by the town board.

Three members of Huntington's five-member town board - which is scheduled to vote Tuesday on the $100-million, 490-unit project - now say they intend to vote against the development. All three cited concerns from Huntington residents that the project is too large and will burden local roads, hospitals and schools.

Avalon Bay, a nationwide developer, plans to build the 26.6-acre project a half mile from the Huntington train station.

Town board member Mark Cuthbertson, the latest board member to express reservations about the project, said Wednesday that he intends to vote no. Mark Mayoka also pledged to vote against Avalon Bay, and Susan Berland said on Tuesday she will oppose the proposal.

Avalon Bay is "a very reputable national builder and if there's an appropriate project in Huntington Station . . . we're certainly not going to shut the door," Cuthbertson said, adding that public protest "played a role" in his decision.

Avalon Bay officials did not return phone calls seeking comment. Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone, who has supported the project, declined to comment through a spokesman. A spokesman for board member Glenda Jackson said Jackson is undecided.

The housing development is tied to a planned transit-oriented development district, which is also up for approval Tuesday. Some residents - and the Huntington school district - have spoken out against the transit district concept, which would allow denser development on parcels of 10 acres or more within one-half mile of the Huntington train station.

The lack of support for Avalon Bay could mean the transit district is also in jeopardy, said Mayoka. He said he plans to propose the creation of a citizens' advisory committee to evaluate the transit district.

Berland encouraged Avalon Bay to submit a scaled-back project. A development with less than 400 units could find support, she said.

"It's not that the community is opposed to Avalon. I believe that the community is opposed to Avalon at 490 units," she said.

Avalon Bay first proposed the development in 2008. Speakers supported the project at a March town meeting, but opposition to the project grew in the following months.

"There's been so much public outcry over this project," said resident Matt Harris. "It's big."