A judge’s decision cleared the final obstacle for construction to begin on Country Pointe at Plainview.
Nassau County Supreme Court Justice George R. Peck dismissed a case brought by a group of Old Bethpage residents that sought to overturn an approved zoning and site plan application for the project amid environmental concerns. Not ready to deliver a written decision, Peck delivered an oral ruling in favor of Jericho-based developer Beechwood Organization and the Town of Oyster Bay.
Plaintiffs were surprised by the judge’s decision not to pursue a new environmental review for the project, given that Supervisor John Venditto said in an interview with the Syosset-Jericho Tribune, “I don’t think the current environmental study is sufficient.”
Michael Dubb, founding principal of the Beechwood Organization, said his company has heard from thousands of residents from the Town of Oyster Bay who say the project will help them remain near family and friends in the town.
“[They] tell us this project will help them continue to live, work and play in Plainview-Old Bethpage,” he said. “Our vision is to enhance the quality of life for residents of all ages and the community at large. We’re creating new homes, new retail facilities and committing to recreational open space that all generations can enjoy. In turn, for years to come, this will create new jobs, commerce and tax revenue.”
The lawsuit, levied against the town, Beechwood POB LLC and Plainview Properties LLC, by Old Bethpage residents Glenn and Bridget Denton, Kathleen Duval and Francis and Fay Scally, alleged that the town and the developer violated the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) in the rush to approve the plan for a 750-unit housing and multiple retail store development at Round Swamp and Old Country roads.
The town-approved plan would bring 750 homes consisting of 528 market-rate age-restricted homes, 90 Golden Age units and 132 market-rate homes that will not be age restricted. In addition, the development calls for some office space, a 25,000-square-foot clubhouse and 118,450-square-feet of retail development featuring a 71,400 square-foot ShopRite, which will be relocated from its current location in the Morton Village Shopping Center, along with open space and walking trails.
“We are giving new life to this underused 143-acre site,” said Dubb. “Most of the structures on it are abandoned and deteriorated. What we build here will be in harmony with the surrounding community and respectful of open space. Beechwood anticipates that site work and sales will begin in the first half of 2016.”
Concerned residents say they are not through fighting and are planning for a public meeting at the Plainview-Old Bethpage library in the near future. Interested community members can check the Facebook page “Protect POB” for the date and time of the library meeting.
