Letter to the Editor: Expansion of the LIE Rest Stop in Dix Hills

Dear Neighbors,

In a continuing effort to keep you informed about important issues in our community, I am writing to share with you that Governor Andrew Cuomo has unilaterally determined that our community is planned to be the location of a 9,000 square foot Welcome Center for Long Island’s East End wineries. The Governor has determined that the rest stop located at Exit 52 on the LIE should be expanded to include the Welcome Center and over 200 additional parking spaces for cars and tour buses. This is in direct contradiction to the earlier decision to place the Welcome Center in Yaphank, in conjunction with improvements to the Suffolk County Farm.

Upon learning of this proposal, I contacted state elected officials in Albany and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and demanded that clearing for the project be halted immediately. As a result of strong opposition and a united effort from myself, Senator John Flanagan, Assemblyman Andrew Raia, Supervisor Frank Petrone and Councilwoman Susan Berland, clearing for the project has been stopped. Our discussions with the Governor’s office and state DOT officials continue.

As you know, I have joined with our community and other local leaders over the years to defeat past attempts to place a rest stop facility at this location. This decision is particularly egregious not only because of the impact that it will have on our community, but because absolutely no notice was given to local elected officials or community members prior to commencement of work at this location. No environmental studies or traffic studies were done and no determination of the impact of additional traffic on air quality, noise and light pollution or water quality was undertaken. This is outrageous and absolutely unacceptable.

[Below] is my letter sent to the Governor expressing my strong opposition to this project and calling upon him to return to the original plan and place the Welcome Center in Yaphank. I ask that you contact the Governor’s office at (518) 474-8390 and voice your strong opposition, as well.

If you wish to receive updates regarding this important issue, please e-mail my office at steve.stern@suffolkcountyny.gov so that I can keep you informed of all developments. If you have any questions or if I can be of further assistance to you, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Steve Stern

______________________

August 19, 2015

The Honorable Andrew Cuomo

NYS State Capitol Building

Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Cuomo:

As Suffolk County Legislator for the 16th Legislative District, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the major construction project for a rest stop-Welcome Center facility on the eastbound Long Island Expressway (LIE) Service Road, between Exits 51 and 52. Quite frankly, this is a battle that I, other local elected officials and most importantly, community residents, had thought resolved. To suddenly be faced with bulldozers tearing down trees and signage for a Welcome Center for wineries 20 exits east of their homes, has residents alarmed and justifiably concerned about the impact this proposed facility will have on their quality of life.

This new facility, which would consist of a 9,000 square foot building and parking for more than 200 additional cars and buses, backs up to a residential community and is close to schools, churches, parks and recreational playing fields used by our children. This will have a negative impact on already poor air quality and our children’s health and safety. Removal of trees and idling vehicles will raise noise levels, which are already unacceptably high and light from the center will intrude into residents’ homes. There is no legitimate reason to impose these hardships on our community for a facility aimed at attractions more than 40 miles to the east.

Unlike Upstate New York, where exits on the Thruway are many miles apart and access to dining and fuel are limited, exits on the Long Island Expressway are close together and services are readily accessible. There simply is no need for a rest stop at this location.

The initiative to draw visitors to Long Island Wine Country and promote the “Taste of NY” program is well-intended and if properly placed, will have a beneficial impact on our local economy. The original plan was to place the Welcome Center in Yaphank, as part of improvements to the Suffolk County Farm, which is a natural gateway to the East End and makes sense from a geographic and tourism perspective. I urge you to work with the New York State Department of Transportation to construct this facility at a location that will both effectively promote the goals of attracting tourists and economic development and simultaneously protect the quality of life for Huntington residents.

I look forward to working with you to meet these shared goals.

Sincerely,

Steve Stern

Images via Legislator Steve Stern