Proposed Bayport 55+, Affordable Community Raises Concerns at Civic Meeting

As with the Serota property, re-zoning and environmental concerns are once again driving the decision of whether or not the Bayport Civic Association chooses to support an area project.

A presentation on a proposed 55+ community in Bayport at a recent Bayport Civic Association encouraged feedback from residents, but caused concern among members with regard to zoning.

A representative from the Hauppauge-based developing company, The Northwind Group, spoke at the meeting about a townhouse project that has been years in the making.

Jim Tsunis, a managing member of Northwind, spoke on the proposal, explaining the details of the project and requesting feedback from the community.

The proposed "Bayport Meadows" community will be located on Church Street in Bayport next to the Wenner Bread factory and opposite a 17-home community on the west side of the street. The proposal includes 150 townhomes, 30 of which will be made affordable. The average cost of a home in the community will be in the $400,000 range and will be restricted to residents 55 and older.

“This would be the biggest development that Bayport’s seen in decades,” said BCA President Bob Draffin.

However, the land is currently zoned for industrial purposes. In an attempt to re-zone the site as residential, Tsunis will present his plan for the third time to the Islip Town Planning Board on Thursday, July 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Draffin said he greatly appreciated Tsunis’ interest in feedback from the community and the BCA, but still has a few concerns.

One concern is a domino effect in terms of rezoning. Draffin said if this site is rezoned, other developers will use it as precedent to rezone their land out of industrial as well, such as the .

Draffin said it could potentially "start a build-up of the undeveloped land in town." Though not ill-intentioned, this re-zoning and development could start a domino effect that could eventually rid the area of potential sites for industrial development, a strong component of local economy.

Another concern is the community’s close proximity to Sans Souci County Park, a nature preserve on the outskirts of town. “We’re concerned about what the sewage disposal is going to be for the site,” Draffin said.

Tsunis rebutted the idea that sewage runoff would be damaging. He said it would be diverted to a treatment plant north of Sunrise Highway as to ensure the preservation of the park and surrounding land.

Draffin said the treatment plant would be a good step, but he would still like to see that verified.

Though the BCA has concerns, Tsunis said he has worked with the residents most directly affected by the project, which is the 17-home development across the street from the site. He said they voiced their support for the project and welcomed the new addition to the community.

“I haven’t heard any negative comments about the rezoning of this property,” Tsunis said.

Tsunis also said he thinks the 55+ community would be an asset to the area because its residents have “disposable income” and can stimulate the local economy.

Even if the public hearing with the Islip Town Planning Board goes well on Thursday, Tsunis said construction will not start for another two to three years because there are many permits required to begin building.

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