AvalonBay proposal has foes and fans

The proposed AvalonBay Communities project in Huntington does not have the support of taxpaying homeowners ["Battle lines still stand," News, May 17]. The construction of high-density rental housing represents the urbanization and destruction of the suburban neighborhood in which we homeowners have invested the bulk of our earnings.

Huntington already has a very large number of legal and illegal apartments and rented houses. Most of Huntington's problems of crime, overcrowding and blight stem from the large transient population that moves through these rental units. As a general rule, people who own their homes have a stake in the community and have a vested interest in improving it. Renters do not share this connection with the community.

Our schools, roads and infrastructure are already overcrowded and strained.

Robert James, Huntington Station
 

There are sound public policy reasons to question the AvalonBay project in Huntington Station. The proponents claim the project provides affordable housing for empty-nesters or entry-level residents. However, the prevalence of three-bedroom units contradicts that objective. Extra bedrooms mean the potential for many more school-aged children for a school district under financial stress and a limited infrastructure.

Declining home prices are doing a far more efficient job of providing affordable housing in Huntington Station, where homes are listed for sale and rental for values below most of the units set forth in the current proposal.

Some who question the project (and not its stated goals) believe that if the party registration of the town board members were reversed, Newsday, as well as those responsible for oversight review, may have given the project greater scrutiny.

Absent that opportunity, many people may fairly wonder whether our elected officials were endeavoring to advance a valid public policy or whether they have an ulterior motivation.

Robert A. Lifson, Huntington
 

I can't help notice the negative energy and fear focused on AvalonBay's proposed development of (mostly) rental housing in Huntington Station. Has anyone noticed that quality housing is needed for our young folks who are in an exodus from Long Island? Have these (negative) folks ever visited an AvalonBay development, which are clean, well landscaped, well kept, well designed and inviting to our young professionals?

It's tough being the pioneer. Perhaps once the development gets broken in, this will be the first of many successes. When others see the success of this endeavor, they may choose to jump in.

Jeffrey Schwartzberg, Lake Success

Editor's note: The writer is a senior director with commercial real estate brokerage Colliers International.