Dix Hills Residents Push Back On 55-And-Over Housing Proposal
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The site plan of the proposed 55-and-over community at 652 Deer Park Ave. in Dix Hills. Site Plan Courtesy of Weber Law Group
By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com
A group of Dix Hills residents have taken a stance against a developer’s plan to build 46 townhouses and 40 condominiums across nine acres along Deer Park Avenue.
At the Nov. 9 town board meeting, 13 residents spoke out against the 55-and-over housing proposal, which requires board approval for a zone change.
Several speakers referenced the town’s Horizons 2020 comprehensive plan, “It clearly says that the Deer Park corridor is always going to be zoned R-40. You just can’t change that,” said Edward Gould, of Dix Hills. “I’m appealing to you as a resident that loves living here to please uphold the promises you put in this comprehensive plan.”
Applicant DeLalio Sod Farms, which operates one of the four properties the development is proposed for, is asking the town board to approve an R-40 Residential District to R-3M Garden Apartment Special District zone change for four parcels. The biggest parcel is DeLalio Sod Farms at 652 Deer Park Ave., which is just south of Half Hollow Hills Road.
Attorney for the applicant Garrett Gray, of Melville-based Weber Law Group, detailed the plan at the public hearing last Thursday. He added that a cover letter with information about the proposed zoning change and his contact information was sent to neighbors of the property, but noted that he only received one response.
A lone speaker in favor of the proposal, Jean Simeone, compared it to the Stone Ridge Estates down the road in Dix Hills where she lives. Simeone said, “The Stone Ridge Estates enhanced Deer Park Avenue. It didn’t disturb anybody’s property value.”
Dix Hills resident and member of the North Dix Hills Civic Association Lisa Bloomstein spoke against what she said is overdevelopment in neighborhoods across town.
“We’re asking you, we’re pleading with you, we’re imploring you to listen to us,” Bloomstein said to the town board.
Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone said the same group of people opposed senior living developments that were previously proposed for properties along Deer Park Avenue.
“It’s the same community and the same people; I just don’t think they want anything built on Deer Park Avenue except one-family homes,” Petrone said. “And people don’t want to move into one-family homes on Deer Park Avenue.”
The town board could act on the proposed zone change as soon as its Dec. 13 meeting.
