At the March 19 Town of Oyster Bay meeting, a public hearing was held regarding the possibility of a senior housing facility to be constructed on Hempstead Turnpike in Farmingdale. Wayne Paul Corp, the applicant, came before the town board to request a zoning change. The property, located just over 720 feet east of Dolphin Drive, is currently zoned "NB" (Neighborhood Business) and the applicants asked the town to consider changing to "RSC-25," Multi-Family Senior Citizen Residence, formerly known as "S-2," so they could construct a 62-unit cooperative housing facility for senior citizens. The applicant is also requesting modification of restrictive covenants which limit the use of the property to the operation of a senior citizen residence home.

The facility, a condominium-style two story structure which would stand approximately 27 feet high, would have staff present 24 hours of the day, with three shifts throughout all seven days of the week. Visiting hours would be held in the evenings. Each apartment would have two bathrooms, one of which would be handicap accessible. In addition, each unit would have its own washer/dryer. Central air conditioning and heating would also be among the amenities.

At the meeting, a representative for Wayne Paul Corp. admitted to the town board that the site does present some challenges, as there is heavy traffic coming from the Hempstead Turnpike side, and residential homes toward the back. In addition, there is a 24-hour diner behind the property.

The representative told the town board that a meeting was held at the Farmingdale Library with some of the residents who would be affected by the facility's existence, and noted that the developer is prepared to act upon the constructive comments that were received.

"While no developer can deal with the fact that some people simply just don't want anything built in their backyard, this developer is sensitive to constructive criticism," he said. "We are prepared to deal with it."

Members of the town board showed concern that there is only one entrance to the facility, the main entrance in the front. Councilman Anthony Macagnone asked the developers what the residents would do in the event of an emergency. The developers said they would look into adding additional entrances and exits.

In their plans, the developers showed that there would be 78 parking spaces available to residents, including eight handicap spaces.

The cost of living in the facility is still a matter of negotiation, the developer pointed out, and would be determined once the site plans are complete.

To help buffer the site from the surrounding homes, the developer would plant evergreens so greenery would be present at the site year-round. They have plans drawn up for 140 trees and over 450 shrubs and bushes.

Residents who live behind the property expressed their concerns at the meeting, although they said that they would be happy to see something done with the property, adding that a senior housing facility would be better than other options.

One resident, whose home is directly behind the property, told the town board that his main concern is his family's privacy. He noted that a building that is 27 feet high would have windows that stare down into his backyard.

Other residents who live closest to the property expressed a variety of concerns, including privacy, the highest priority, and pest control.

"The people we are most concerned about are those who are most impacted," Supervisor John Venditto said to the residents who live closest to the property. "We want to work with you."

The supervisor added that town officials will keep in contact with those residents who have contacted them with their concerns about the property.

Concerned Citizens Association of Farmingdale President Mike Grello said that the upzoning is certainly a positive thing to bring into the community, but felt some adjustments need to be made to the plans. One concern Grello mentioned was one of the facility's unit's proximity to the diner.

"Seniors will have their windows open in the summer," he said. "They'll be sucking in fumes from the diner."

Grello suggested that the one unit closest to the diner be removed from the plans, and perhaps a patio area could be set up for the seniors to have a place outside to gather and sit down in nice weather. In addition, he noted that the trash receptacles were a far distance from some of the units, showing concern for seniors having to walk such a far distance to access the compactor.

While no residents present at the meeting seemed completely opposed to the idea, they did all agree on one thing: some of the plans need to be adjusted. Any residents who were not able to attend the meeting still have time to contact members of the town board about their feelings about the plans. The board is currently in discussion regarding the facility and a decision is expected to come in upcoming weeks.