Brentwood development plans: good and bad

The Heartland Town Square redevelopment in Brentwood is just the type of economic boost that Long Island needs to stop the exodus of not only the young, but so many others who are getting tired of our auto-centric lifestyle ["$4B grand plan," News, March 30].

For years we have read of other significant projects that have been touted, only to become mired in the various processes needed for approval. This development seems to be well-planned and thought out, with many amenities that should gently push people into healthier lifestyles.

There will be less need to use, or even own a car, and more pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure than anything we have seen before on Long Island. We hope to to see more bicycle and pedestrian paths built all over the region, and certainly connect to Heartland and our wonderful public parks and beaches.

While we personally hope a few more acres on the northern periphery of Heartland's second phase can be set aside for open space and recreational uses, there should be no reason that the first phase is not permitted to advance to the construction stage. That land was previously developed, and just building more single-family homes on it would be a lost opportunity to make changes for the greater good.

Denis Byrne

Belle Terre

Editor's note: The writer represents the advocacy organization Long Island Greenways and Healthy Trails.
 

Not all is as it appears to be in Brentwood and its surrounding neighborhoods regarding the Heartland Town Square application to build an urban-like high-density project at the old Pilgrim State Hospital.

Newsday should stop promoting an impression that this project is palatable with the community when the community hasn't been given enough education about the factual details. Important questions about the soon-to-be presented plan, which at last public disclosure contained rental units on top of more retail and office space, need serious public scrutiny.

With one building up to 220 feet tall, to make anything less than a complete effort to ensure that the residents of Islip and our neighboring towns are fully aware of the serious impact on our quality of life would be wrong. Islip Town has failed to promote community awareness in the Spanish-speaking neighborhoods most impacted.

The town is on the record with significant concerns, including the additional number of cars.

As a resident and public planner, I join with many of my neighbors in calling for an immediate education effort commensurate with the enormity of this project before any further official action occurs.

Tom O'Hara

Brentwood

Editor's note: The writer is a candidate for Islip Town supervisor.
 

Has developer Gerald Wolkoff, Islip Town, or the Long Island Rail Road considered the impact of thousands of new commuters using "free shuttle buses to the nearby Deer Park Long Island Rail Road station," when this largest project in Long Island history is built?

I have been riding the LIRR on the Ronkonkoma branch for almost 20 years, and I can tell you that many trains at rush hour are already overcrowded. I find their projections entirely too optimistic as far as the potential congestion.

Brian Robinson

Hauppauge