Proposed Facility Reduces Size, Still Draws Criticism

Tuesday night’s meeting focused on the proposed 101-unit assisted living facility on Lakeland Avenue.

The facility would be located on the parcel of land south of the Johnson and Lakeland intersection that currently houses , , an abandoned Victorian house and the woods behind both properties. 

Details of the original plans shown to the community and Town of Islip last year have been revised to reflect proposed suggestions for the space. 

“When we first started, we were proposing a 140-units building,” said Scott Burman, who represents The Engel Burman Group, the real estate development company interested in the property. “We’ve substantially reduced the size of the building, we were also able to take 20,000 feet of the building below grade. It’s going to create a courtyard affect to reduce the building’s height.”

The structure would cost close to $40 million to build and could be ready to break ground within nine months. Estimated construction time would take between 12 months to 14 months, according to Burman. 

The facility would offer studio, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments equipped with kitchenettes, but 30 percent of the building would be common area including sun rooms, a visiting children’s arcade, full dining service and cinema room.   

Joseph Street resident Michael McEnerney voiced his concerns about the proposal.

“They first presented to the community as a whole at . At that point in time the community at large was vehemently against the project, the size and scope of what they wanted to build,” said McEnerney, explaining residents gathered 1,000 petition signatures against the proposal.

Other questions fielded by Burman included job creation, medical services and possible strains on local ambulance services. According to Burman the facility would create jobs, include its own nursing staff and employ a private ambulance service for patients in need. Local emergency services would only be needed in certain cases, such as if a patient has a stroke.   

The Nassau County-based Engle Burman Group just completed their seventh assisted living facility on Long island. Residents who live in assisted living usually come from within a five to 10 mile radius said Burman, explaining this could be a benefit for Sayville residents looking to care for elderly family members. 

The facility would contain about 80 parking spots and one entrance and exit that would be located off Lakeland Avenue. According to Burman daily field trips would bring residents into Downtown Sayville to shop in local businesses. 

“I think there’s certain attributes that could be beneficial to Downtown Sayville, but we certainly want to consider resident’s concerns,” said chamber president Richard Trpicovsky. The chamber is taking no position for or against the proposal at this time.

The proposal must receive a recommendation from the Town of Islip Planning Board before it is brought before the town board. A public hearing would be held to re-zone the property. 

News & Notes:

• State Senator Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) did not attend the meeting as planned to update members on the repeal of the MTA tax affecting local business owners.
• Other meeting agenda items included an update on Summerfest, which will be held August 5, 6, and 7 and usually draws up to 100,000 people to town throughout the weekend. presented the chamber with a donation of $2,500 to help plan this year’s annual event.  
• Also coming to Sayville this summer is Battle of the Bay boat races that has previously been held in Patchogue. The event, which in the past has brought close to 20,000 people to Patchogue over one weekend, will close off parts of Downtown Sayville on Friday, August 26 as racers display their boats for the public to view. The races will begin at the East Islip Marina on Saturday.
• Other meeting topics included announcements regarding the Margaritaville concert that will take place on August 19 and new fall classes at offered by Small Businesses Professional Group.