Proposed Nesconset facility garners gripes

An assisted living company is seeking to build a three-story, 186-bed facility near homes in Nesconset, raising concerns among neighbors.

Amber Court Assisted Living Communities, which operates four locations in Westbury, New York City and New Jersey, has proposed a 90,000-square-foot building on Lake Avenue, said Anthony Guardino, a Uniondale attorney representing Amber Court.

The Smithtown Town Board is expected to hold a special hearing at its meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. to consider granting a special exception use for the proposal. The property is zoned light industrial.

Robin Marks, Amber Court's Long Island regional director, said the living center is "designed to be affordable" because Medicaid can be accepted for those who qualify. "People don't really need more than their government entitlement to enjoy a first-rate, first-class assisted living experience," she said.

But several residents said in interviews the building would be too tall for the area.

"There are no three-story buildings in Nesconset anywhere," said Erik Russell, whose backyard would face the project. "If they squeeze this building back there, what's next?"

Russell also said he was concerned about privacy, citing "ninety-one windows piercing into the back of my home. It's going to be so intrusive beyond belief."

Resident Gene Ahrens said, "I wish they would scale it down a little." He added that he hoped he wouldn't hear noise from air conditioning units while on his patio.

Ahrens and others said they were concerned about additional traffic from the development. Smithtown Supervisor Patrick R. Vecchio has received postcards signed by opponents who call the proposal a "visual eyesore." The postcards say the facility will cause flooding in the neighborhood and create "unsafe road conditions for all residents of Smithtown."

"This is a town, not a city," the postcards say.

Amber Court is also requesting a variance from the town's zoning board to increase the maximum height of the building to 49 feet. The building code allows 35 feet. Guardino said the building would have a basement and a sunken courtyard with a swimming pool and gardens. "What will be visible will be a building that is three stories," he said.

A zoning hearing was held March 8 on the height variance and a request to have only one truck loading bay rather than the three required by zoning. A decision has not been made.

With Carl MacGowan