In March, 2003, with only a few days notice, the Renaissance Project learned that the Town Planning Board would consider a site plan for construction of a new 52,912 square foot building, with a 390-car parking lot, to house the Suffolk County Department of Social Services (DSS) and Health Center in Coram. The location was a wholly wooded site located at the southwest corner of Middle Country Road and Homestead Drive. The property is owned by Coram Equities, LLC, which is now constructing a building in exchange for a 30-year lease.

Despite community objections as to the size, sprawling nature, and environmental impact of the proposed facility, the Planning Board approved the site plan in April. 03. The Town Council proved unwilling to counter that decision.

The Longwood Alliance, and local community residents were forced to file an Article 78 proceeding in May of last year under the State Environmental Quality Review Act or SEQRA. The Alliance's suit stressed that the Planning Board failed to take the required ³hard look— at the project. We also stressed that the issuance of a negative declaration, (the Planning Board claimed that the building of the DSS/Heath Center would have no impact on the environment), was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and therefore, in violation of Article 8 of the NY Environmental Conservation Law. Here's why: First, the site is located in or substantially contiguous to a Critical Environmental Area. Secondly, hazardous or toxic substances will be stored or generated at the site, and thirdly, an onsite sanitary system and drainage system will be installed, none of which information had been stated in the applicantıs original Environmental Assessment Form or EAF.

Both the Town and developer Coram Equities attempted to use their financial and legal muscle to convince the court not to decide the Article 78 on its merits. That is, they attempted to get the case dismissed on the issue of standing. Claiming that the Longwood Alliance and adjacent neighbors had no right to sue. The Court disagreed and declined to dismiss the case. We were forced to go back to court during the last week of June due to a premature issuance of a building permit by the Town of Brookhaven. The granting of the building permit allowed the applicant to clear the property, prior to the court issuing its decision. The clearing was concealed behind a buffer of trees left by the developer. We were able to stop the bulldozers temporally. Unfortunately, the stop work order was lifted prior to the court issuing its final decision in the case, thereby, allowing the property to be completely decimated.

In the end, although the Town of Brookhaven did not give the application to build a 52,912 sq. ft. DSS/Health Center the hard look it required under SEQRA, the courtıs finding allowed the building of a one and a quarter acre center in an area which the community slated for less intensive development.

We continue to believe that the Town flaunted environmental law, and that the County totally disregarded the vision of an entire community. The location of this intensive facility, is simply, bad planning and the continuation of the haphazard development that currently characterizes Middle Country Road in Coram. However, the Board of the Alliance determined that it could not expend any more resources to appeal the decision of the court.

We remain extremely disappointed in the decision, which will impact negatively not only on our community, but on the clients of this huge warehouse type facility. We are also disappointed in Suffolk Country which seeks to save money by centralizing services which should be located in smaller, convenient store front facilities. Finally, we are disappointed with the Town of Brookhaven for approving this large sprawling facility.

In the end this setback will not deter us from our goal of improving the quality of life of all Longwood residents. We continue to work against sprawl, and for the building of interactive, pedestrian oriented community centers, and for a safe effective main street.