Public hearing held on proposal to build apartments in Port Jefferson Station
There are more vacant storefronts than filled ones at Jefferson Plaza in Port Jefferson Station. A developer is hoping to change that.
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Dozens of community members gave remarks during a Brookhaven Town Council meeting Thursday night over a proposal to bring a mixed-use development to Port Jefferson Station.
Almost 40 people spoke about the proposal to redevelop Jefferson Plaza in Port Jefferson Station. The proposal includes 280 apartments, retail spaces, restaurants and more.
Most community members don't completely oppose the project. Many told News 12 they feel the developers, Staller Associates, haven't addressed the community's concerns in the proposal.
Paul Sagliocca is part of the organization The Friends of Lincoln Avenue. He has major concerns about how the new development would affect traffic in the area.
"We know about the traffic cause we've been working on it for years,” he said. “It's just going to add so much more traffic to the backroads of this neighborhood."
During their address to council, developers say they want the area to be rezoned as a commercial redevelopment district, which they say their proposal meets the requirements of.
Councilman Jonathan Kornreich said he feels the code is meant to help the entire area and this proposal feels like a fortress. He went on to say he feels the proposal restricts growth to the specific area as opposed to spreading into the community
Attorneys for the developers told councilmembers they’ve been in communication with various community groups for months about the proposal and development process.
As the council considers all the testimony given, Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association President Ira Costell says he and other community members just want one thing.
"Let's take a really good look at this, and determine if this level of density, which is quite intense on a ten-acre parcel, can be done in a better fashion that we can accept and digest as a community. And work with the developer,” he said.
Many people did express their support for the plans as well, saying it shows a committed investment in the community.
