Chamber Urges Lobbying Lawmakers on Islip Pines Traffic Concern

The Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce is urging store owners and local residents to email local lawmakers in an effort to set up a meeting with state transportation officials regarding traffic concerns related to the proposed 136-acre Islip Pines project.

”We have been having some difficulty with getting our state representatives to support out efforts in terms of the concerns we have regarding the serious traffic issues in the vicinity of the Islip Pines/Serota Property,” writes Chamber President Bill Etts in the email.

The three lawmakers being lobbied are Senator Lee Zeldin, Assemblyman Al Graf and Assemblyman Andrew Garbarino.

“We are therefore asking that you call the offices of the three state representatives listed below and ask when are they going to help us and represent a large contingent of chambers and civic organizations that have grave concerns regarding the 400,000 square feet of retail space that is slated to be built on this property,” he writes, adding it’s time to   “call these State Legislators and make them accountable for the voters that they represent.

The email includes a letter sent to Zeldin from the South Shore Civic Alliance about the proposed Serota project.

The project is opposed by local chambers and civic organizations due to the amount of retail space. The parcel is located at the northeast corner of Sunrise Highway and Veterans Memorial Highway.

“We have serious concerns regarding the traffic in existence on this 1.7 mile section of Sunrise Highway especially since the Sunrise Highway Corridor Study specifically recommends against any further retail development along the above mentioned section of roadway," states the letter written by Patrick Mitchell, chairperson of the Alliance.

Original plans called for 400,000 square feet of retail space, 1.3 million square feet of industrial space on 70 acres, which would include a 200-room hotel, and 250 residential one and two-bedroom apartments on 13 acres. The plan now includes 350 units and reduces the retail use by 80,000 square feet.