Proposed Fast Food Rezoning Sparks Opposition In Sayville

SAYVILLE, NY — A group of Sayville and West Sayville residents are vocally opposing a proposed zone change for the site of a former Chase bank on the corner of Montauk Highway and Atlantic Ave. The location was approved for a rezoning to Business Zone 1 with variances to allow a coffee shop but now the developer, J. Nazzaro Partnership, LP wants to rezone to a Zone 3, which allows fast food drive-thru restaurants. The change would allow a Starbucks to have a drive-thru but leaves open the possibility for a fast food chain on the site in the future, which has some residents concerned.

A group of those residents opposed to fast food chains coming to this part of West Sayville have organized an online petition and Facebook group called West Sayville/Sayville Petition Against Fast Food Business Re-Zoning. The residents cite concerns over over-commercialization of the downtown Montauk Highway area of Sayville and limited road infrastucture. Several fast food chains are currently located on Sunrise Highway, an area with historically more commercial zoning.

The Town of Islip will be holding a planning board meeting on June 24 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom conference where this rezoning is on the docket.