Developer Seeks Zoning Change To Build Rental Units On Bayview

East Islip, NY — Concerned East Islip residents are planning to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, January 30th held by rental developer Greenview Properties to voice concerns over a proposed rental unit on Bayview Avenue. The meeting will be held at The American Legion, 3 Bayview Avenue, from 7 p.m until 9 p.m. The Bay Shore-based company owns and operates several senior rental housing units in Islip, East Islip and Oakdale.

A tentative date for the zoning review has been set for March, but local resident Kelly Carson Roenelt has already started voicing concerns about the proposed development, which would affect two residential home properties at 7 and 9 Bayview Avenue.

"The traffic will be unbearable, they won’t stop there if they can get this done, and this is a family residential street," Roenelt, who lives on Bayview Avenue, said. In a letter to Town of Islip Councilmembers she mentions several points of concern, including what she calls the incompatibility of the proposed property with the existing historic single home properties, and quality of life issues.

Traffic and pedestrian issues at the affected corner of Bayview Avenue and Main Street are also a major concern, according to Roenelt.

The intersection "does not function well and is a high-risk intersection for pedestrians with heavy traffic flow. This intersection is a walking and biking route for neighborhood children to the Brookwood Hall Park where fireworks and carnivals are enjoyed, not to mention the booming ice cream shop, Ralph's Famous Italian Ices. The significant increase in traffic flow at this intersection that will result from this rezoning is a notable risk to our children and other pedestrians."

According to the Town planning board office, homes within 200 feet of the properties will received mailed notifications of the zoning change. A letter signed by Greenview Properties President Larry C. Gargano invites nearby residents to Thursday's meeting so the company can "share our concepts, answer questions and receive productive community feedback."

What do you think of the proposed rental units on Bayview Avenue and the traffic issues on the intersection of Bayview and Main Street?