Sayville residents worked up over South Bay Village housing plan

There is no question that our region lacks diversity in housing, either by type or price point. Our housing challenges represent Long Island’s greatest planning failure.

However, the proposed South Bay Village project in Sayville breaks with past planning precedent in troubling ways [“Promise of housing seems lost on Sayville,” Opinion, July 24].

Any large-scale residential proposal for the former Island Hills golf property runs directly counter to the recommendations of a 2009 joint planning study that was authored by Suffolk County and Brookhaven and Islip towns.

That study specifically identified the Island Hills site as appropriate for a mix of light single-family development and open-space preservation, and it called for continuing its as-of-right zoning for such uses.

Plenty of other suitable locations are available for the productive development of apartments that would have less environmental impact while allowing for better transit access. Just look at the recent progress of the various villages or the hamlet of Hicksville to see this theory of transit-oriented development in action.

In Sayville, planners from multiple levels of government gave their firm assessment nearly two decades ago. To date, I have not seen any compelling reason why those recommendations are no longer relevant.

— Richard Murdocco, Commack

The writer is an adjunct professor of planning at Stony Brook University.

It is true that those of us who have been living on Long Island for years are wary of change to our communities. With open space at a premium, we will generally oppose losing what remains, and with reason.

Regarding the area’s ecosystem, as Newsday recently reported, west end communities on Long Island are considerably hotter than those with greener spaces to the east. Residents have been asked to cut back on water usage. We routinely read about strained power grids, snarled traffic, and degradation of our air and water quality.

Yes, we need more affordable housing. Then again, how affordable will the new housing at South Bay Village really be? The zoning change requested would permit 890 units, some as high as three stories. As the column says, “Perhaps there’s room to revise those numbers downward.” That would be a good start.

Before our town officials agree to change long-standing zoning restrictions, we all need to consider what this will mean for the future quality of life and character not only of Sayville, but of every community on Long Island.

— Tim Huss, Islip

When Randi F. Marshall, referring to developer Gregg Rechler, wrote that “what became truly clear . . . was the residents refused to believe him,” I could identify.

Fifteen years ago, I didn’t believe anything Rechler said, either. In my hometown of Hampton Bays, Rechler’s company initially intended to raze “our” dilapidated but beloved Canoe Place Inn to build a new extended-stay exclusive hotel. Like-minded residents and I instantly regarded him as some kind of profit-crazed, corporate bad guy.

But then we started to talk to the man. We communicated our preferred future for the old Inn and gave his ideas our open minds and best listening. A trust and respect developed for each other. Within those parameters, we worked to co-create a vision for the property that, since realized, is a truly remarkable regional asset.

I understand some Sayville residents are “entrenched” in their anti-development, anti-Rechler position. We were once that way, too.

And we could not be happier that we moved away from that kind of contention, choosing conversation and collaboration instead.

May something like our Rechler shift occur for the benefit of Sayville’s folks, as well.

— Richard Casabianca, Hampton Bays

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but if you want the truth, go to the source — the residents of Sayville.

As a 39-year resident of Sayville, I take issue with an outsider writing about what is right for our community. If you don’t live here, you don’t know us. We do not need any more rentals. We do not want high-density housing.

We need open space or only single-family homes.

— Mark Andres, Sayville

I offer a sampling of several omissions in the column. This mega complex will be situated on Lakeland Avenue, a two-lane road built in the 1800s that is already choked with traffic and a street I live on. Within a one-mile stretch of the proposed complex are five apartment and townhouse developments. Developer Gregg Rechler can currently build 98 new homes there without a zoning change. This would then create a total of about 500 apartments and townhouses in that stretch.

During the Islip Town Planning Board meeting, a board member stated that traffic and congestion were the No. 1 issue. With 890 proposed housing units, at least 1,400 new vehicles would likely be added to the area. When asked by the board about its effect on the Oakdale Merge, which could be the worst traffic chokepoint on Long Island, Rechler’s traffic consultant said he hadn’t even studied it. In fact, no one from Rechler Equity Partners will concede negative effects on area traffic.

— Jeff Fass, Sayville