Proposed Senior Living Development Becomes Plan For 16 Cottages

EAST ISLIP, NY — After a contentious community battle in East Islip, a proposed senior rental development plan has been modified into a plan for 16 for-sale cottages on Bayview Avenue. The developer, Greenview Properties, was originally seeking a zoning change to build 29 55-and-over rental units.

Kelly Carson Roenelt lives nearby and is one of the organizers of the Citizens Against Bayview Ave Apartments, a community group that formed last winter to oppose the zoning change due to concerns about traffic and overcrowding in the residential neighborhood.

She told Patch that the developer "was not expecting the, as he put it, 'fear' and blowback from the community. He listened to what our arguments would be and went back to the drawing board."

The new proposal is for 16 homes to be built on the lots at 7 and 9 Bayview Avenue. 9 Bayview is a historic home that would be donated to the East Islip Historical Society. The for-sale homes would be nestled into the properties in the style of a "pocket neighbhorhood," by an architect who specializes in that style of development. The homes would be for 55-and-over residents, have 28 parking spots, and the design preserves some of the large oak trees on the property.

In a letter to the 1,7000 members of the Facebook group East islip and Islips against Greenview Properties on Main and Bayview, the Citizens group told its supporters they would support this new plan instead of continuing to fight for an uncertain alternative outcome.

"After much thought and deliberation, this coalition has come to the conclusion that this is as far as we can take this fight with the current circumstances. In order to continue, we would need to raise another $25,000 that would give us no guarantees to a win. In fact, we believe it would be a losing battle that borders on irresponsible with times this tough."

"As an informal group of volunteers, we have spent time meeting with potential professionals to hire, meeting with other professionals who also have pursued opposition to a change of zone plan, the community, and each other. We have spearheaded fundraising. We have listened and spoken loudly in opposition to the original plan of two-story rental apartments. The compromise offered by the builder is significantly different than his original proposition."

The town of Islip planning board will review the proposal Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

According to Dana Rehm Ehlich, a member of the Save Bayview coalition who saw the plans and proposal first-hand, "There will be homeowner association fees and 55-and-over regulations. 9 Bayview will have its exterior and roof replaced and deeded to The East Islip Historical Society. There will be a 25-foot buffer from adjoining properties. The cottages will have porches and architecture will be a Craftsman style. The asking price will be about $500,000."

Although Roenelt would prefer not to see any increased development on the two home lots, she feels that this compromise represents progress.

"As a realist, I do consider it a small victory. It's come a long way. I still do not believe that any increase in traffic at the intersection should be allowed given how dangerous it already is, but perhaps the town will agree to make some changes to make it safer."