Senior Housing Proposed at Hicksville Site

Hicksville residents voiced some concerns Tuesday about a plan that would allow a 390-unit senior housing complex to be built on the site of an asphalt plant.

The complex was the subject of a public hearing at Tuesday's Oyster Bay Town Board meeting. Developer Cantiague Commons, LLC, requested a zone change from Light Industrial to Planned Unit Development/Residence-30 (PUD/R-30) for the 15-acre plot along West John Street and Engle Street currently occupied by Twin County Recycling Corp.  The proposed housing complex would be restricted to buyers age 55 or older and would feature a community center, pool, and underground parking. 

Cantiague Commons would be responsible for environmental assessment and site cleanup as a stipulation of the grant, according to Supervisor John Venditto. The town has approved zone changes for other projects on the site over the years, though he thinks this project in particular “opens up the door to more suitable development in the overall area.” 

Town consultant Hal Mayer later added that the development will be a co-op, not a condo like many other similar developments in Long Island, because New York State real property law gives senior co-ops beneficial tax treatment, making the project affordable to buyers.

Joel Berse, President of the Northwest Civic Association of Hicksville, addressed the town board, saying that the plant has been a source of pollution, debris, and truck traffic and he would be happy to see it go, but is concerned about the proposed development’s high occupant density and height of its two tallest buildings.  

“We would like to see them lowered to a common height as the others which are one story lower,” he said. 

Hicksville resident Gregory Weiss said he was concerned about added traffic from the development.  Cantiague Commons Attorney Anthony Cincotta responded that results from a traffic impact study show that traffic volume will not change after the development is occupied. He said the substantial increase in county tax revenue will not be undercut by an added burden to the community’s school system since the complex will not allow children under the age of 18. 

The town has 90 days to deliberate on the request.  If approved, the plant will cease operations on Dec. 31, 2011 and, depending on the level of cleanup required, construction would begin the following year. 

A special new district was also proposed at the meeting to cover what Mayer calls the “unique challenges” facing the Old Harbor Green Community in Massapequa. 

The community is currently split between R1-7 and R1-10 One-Family Residence Districts.  If created, the R1-10/OHG zone would merge the community under one district allowing them to maintain the open feel of “modest homes” on larger plots. 

Mayer said that this zone would be applicable only to the Old Harbor Green Community due to its unique requirements and established history within the community, if granted.