Attendees: Mrs. Connie Kepert, Mr. Kris Kahl, Mrs. Erma Gluck, Mrs. Brenda Pusnowski, Mr. Paul Rogalle, Mr. Ira Brickman, and Mr. P.H.
Meeting Called to Order 7:50 pm
Correspondence: From LA - Letters of support for the following projects: Coram Car Wash, Regal Nail Care, Coram O.K. Properties, (Coram Pond Plaza), William Kelly Landscaping.
Letters of opposition for the following projects: North Shore Homefinders, (Land Division Old Middle Country Road), Sandy Hills subdivision, (CR 21 Middle Island, and Map of Gladysz Frams, (Overton Preserve)
To LA From Subi Chakraborti PE, Regional Director of the DOT stating how responsive the DOT has been to this community. Unfortunately the definition of responsive used was they met with us and than rejected all of our recommendations.
The Lions Roar-May was given out.
Erma and Connie stated that they went to town office to discuss the progress of the master plan.
Progress on master plan.
a. Inventory - still being inputted into data base - progress extremely slow
b. Status of $100,000 dedicated to follow up for Coram/Middle Island corridor
c. Meeting with Jim Tullo addressed following master plan needs:
1. Accounting
a. When appropriated? Two years ago
b. What has been expended? Nothing.
c. What are the Townıs plans for these funds? None
2. Recommendations:
a. Priority items
1. Land Use and Zoning
a. The town plans to adopt the J-6 code in August 2004
b. At the meeting with Councilman Tullo he stated that certain areas of the town will be designated J-6
c. Connie then recommended to the town that they should develop a GEIS(Generic Environmental Impact Study) The GEIS would develop a plan so every builder does not have to file and EIS.
2. Included in GEIS -
a. Description of environmental setting
b Identification of potential environmental impacts
c. Identification of components of project - residential, office, commercial
d. Mitigation measures
e. Alternative development scenarios
f. Identification of permits and approvals required
g Description of need
3. Architectural Design Survey
a. Creation of Visual Code for MCRRP -
1. The success of an Architectural Design Survey depends on Community involvement
2. Community reach out should involve:
a. Web site
b. Mailings - Councilman Tullo will take care of the mailing - Money for this mailing will not come out of $100,000 fund.
c. Large community meeting(s)
4. The need for a transportation study along Rt. 25 was discussed.
a. Projected Traffic generation
b. Accident records
c. Transportation Alternatives
d. Public Transportation
e. Roadway design
1. Intersection treatments
2. # of lanes -
3. Traffic calming features
4. Interconnected roadways
6. Public facilities
a. Effect on Schools
b. Police
c. Fire Services
7. At meeting with the Councilman We agreed town should immediately concentrate on the following:
a. Economic analysis
b. Environmental studies,
c. Transportation studies,
d. Impact on public facilities.
8. Jimıs office will get back to us next week as to plan of action.
III. Middle Country Road Update:
1. Funding to Widen Middle Country Road from CR 83 to Coram Mt. Sinai Rd. was cut from Transportation Budget.
2. However because of lack of support from DOT no funding was added for redesign of intersection or traffic calming measures.
3. We have requested that the TOB not meet with the DOT without Community presence. The design of MCR is crucial to the success of the vision, and the visioning process is a grassroots effort which must include the community to be successful.
3. Meeting scheduled with Congressman Bishop and reps of DOT.
a. Mr. Rogalle then re-enforced that we need slow speeds and alternate routes along Route 25
IV. Eckerd Pharmacy Update:
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Eckerdıs proposed location is crucial to the communityıs vision.
Eckerd had been meeting with the TOB for a number of months without community input. The design moved the building closer to the street but did not include the crucial second story and was architecturally unacceptable.
In an initial meeting with Eckerd their objections to second story were twofold:
1. They would need more parking
2. They might not be recognizable as an Eckerd
3. ADL III developed an alternative design which included a second story, and broke up massive building.
4. Additional meeting with John Genovese and ADL III was held at which Mr. Genovese objected to design, but finally relented to study the cost of a limited second story.
Mr. Parvis told Connie that he has found a new tenant, Meat Farms, for the area of the Eckerd shopping center.
Connie also told Mr. Parvis that an ³pitched² roof is necessary.
Connie also spoke with the owner of the K-Mart shopping center and the parcels just west of it. Mr. Breslin stated that he is willing to build a mixed use center according the MCRRP standards. He also stated that the future of K-Mart may be limited.
At Pine Lake in Middle Island, the town has put hay and Gabison (rocks with wire mesh around them) to prevent the pollution.
Mr. Rogalle said that a raised sidewalk and parking area may me established.
The town and state met together and have established a ³kick off² date for the Artist Lake Project to be May 31, 2004.
V. Sewage Treatment:
Updated Guideline - & Designs provided by ADL III provides us with a estimated numbers of Residential units, and sq. footage of Retail.
Suffolk County Planning Director Tom Isles , V Minea, Health Dept. and representatives from SCP, and Sewage Treatment.
Key Element: Sewage Treatment
A. Needs:
1. Determine size of property needed - 4 acres
2. Determine size of plant needed: Calculate gallons of treatment needed by determining number of residential units and square feet of commercial space planned
3. Determine volume/treatment level
All determined using draft numbers
4. Find location for plant.
Meeting adjourned 9:00 pm
Minutes submitted by Kris Kohl
Minutes from Middle Country Road Renaissance Project 4/15
Correspondence: From LA - Memo & petition to: Senator LaValle, and Assemblywoman Acampora concerning proposed widening in Coram in front of Davis House.
To LA From Assemblywoman Acampora, stating her concern over lack of communication from DOT.
Progress on master plan.
Inventory - Town is still not finished with its inventory of land use along the corridor.
Status of $100,000 dedicated to follow up for Coram/Middle Island corridor.
Priorities identified by Alex Latham & Eric Alexander include:
1. Hire a retail/economic consultant.
2. Analyze the housing market.
3. Continue with design development of streetscape, and architectural styles.
Other Suggested Priorities:
1. Architectural Design Survey - development of visual code
2. Large Community outreach effort
3. In depth intersection design development - Rt. 112 - Rt. 25. - Rt. 21 and Rt. 25.
4. Coordinate increased density into centers with TDR Program and preservation of OS.
Action Needed: Write to Town: Supervisor LaValle and Councilman Tullo. Tell them we need to access the $100,000 dedicated to the MCRRP for priority items.
Middle Country Road Update:
1. Funding to Widen Middle Country Road from CR 83 to Coram Mt. Sinai Rd. was cut from Transportation Budget.
2. However because of lack of support from DOT no funding was added for redesign of intersection or traffic calming measures.
Action Needed: Write to Senator LaValle, Assemblywoman Acampora, Assemblywoman Eddington - Congressman Bishop. Tell them you are tired of the DOT not cooperating with the community. Tell them that you want funding to hire our own Traffic engineers, to redesign Middle Country Road.
Eckerd Pharmacy Update:
Linda P. presented Eckerdıs site plan and elevations at our February meeting.
Our response:
Their proposed location is crucial to the communityıs vision, and we wanted them go to a second story and work on architecture.
Their objections to second story were two fold:
1. They would need more parking
2. They might not be recognizable as an Eckerd
In response the LA has again reached out to ADL III.
Alex is working on a Eckerd Design which includes a second story, and breaks up massive building.
6. Sewage Treatment:
Updated Guideline - & Designs provided by ADL III provides us with a estimated numbers of Residential units, and sq. footage of Retail.
Suffolk County Planning Director Tom Isles was contacted and Tom is setting up meeting with key Suffolk County Officials.
Key Element: Sewage Treatment:
A. Needs:
1. Determine size of property needed
2. Determine size of plant needed: Calculate gallons of treatment needed by determining number of residential units and square feet of commercial space planned
3. Determine volume/treatment level
4. Find location for plant.
B. Action Steps:
1. Estimate numbers of res/com units projected
2. Give #s back to Suffolk Co. Health Dept.
C. Opportunity: Sub regional Study:
1. Comprehensive Water Management Plan - to study how to protect drinking water in Suffolk County. - Environmental ramifications to development
2. Set aside 10 pilot projects, one for each town.
3. RFP - proposals - will go out in January
D. Needed amendments to law mandate developers to hook up to central plant
Action Needed: Contact Town Officials and underscore that the planned study area should along Rt. 25.
Committee Reports
Discussed:
Correspondence: From LA - Letter to: Supervisor Cardinale, congressman Tim Bishop, Senator Ken LaValle, Assemblywoman Pat Acampora, Legislator Mike Caracciolo, Legislator Dan Losquadro, Councilman Jim Tullo concerning EPCAL
Letter to Councilman Jim Tullo concerning $100,000 dedication to conduct a master plan for the Coram Middle Island Corridor.
Progress on master plan.
a. Town of Brookhaven is moving slowly on inventory .
b. Time Frame: Population Projections, Future commercial, residential needs
c. We questioned the status of $100,000 dedicated to follow up for Coram/Middle Island corridor. Linda Petersen reported that the Town found the money in its Planning and Engineering budget. We need to meet with the Town to discuss how those funds will be spent.
Most of our meeting was devoted to a Design Development report concerning the Middle Island Center - Alex Latham provided an update on the Middle Island Center. For detailed information see Overview and Update on this web site.
Report: DSS - status of legal action both the Town and the County have asked for additional time to prepare their cases.
Pending Applications: Applicant for proposed car wash presented his site plan and received comments from all those attending meeting.
Linda Petersen showed MCRRP the Eckerd site plan for the northeast side of CR 21 and Middle Country Road. There have been many comments for revision of that plan and we care currently working with Alex Latham on an alternate plan.
Discussed:
1. Progress on master plan.
2. Status of J-6 - codes being reviewed by ABCO and LIBI.
3. Report given on status of Key Element: Sewage Treatment: Meeting with Suffolk Co. Health Dept. and Suffolk Co. Planning: Sewage Treatment
Need to determine size of property needed for plant and size of plant needed: Calculate gallons of treatment needed by determining number of residential units and square feet of commercial space planned Finally, we need to find location for plant.
Action Steps identified included:
1. Estimate numbers of res/com units projected
2. Give #s back to Suffolk Co. Health Dept.
The group also discussed the fact that Suffolk County intends on conducting 10 sub regional studies dedicated to how to protect drinking water in Suffolk County, and the ramifications of development. RFP - proposals were to go out in January
We discussed needed amendments to law mandate developers to hook up to central plant
4. Following discussion group agreed to the following guidelines for between centers
1. Not looking for increases in density between the centers
2. We do not wish to impair the ability of centers to attract commercial uses, therefore, commercial uses other than neighborhood stores should be located within centers not outside of them.
3. Any increase in density within the corridor, but outside of centers, should be tied to the purchase of land, or the purchase of development rights from land identified as worthy of acquisition.
4. Site plans should strive to create compact, pedestrian oriented neighborhoods which contain a mix of housing options.
5. Any development between the centers should enhance our goals of creating interactive community centers, and reducing congestion on Middle Country Road.
5. Report: on the status of legal action DSS
6. Discussion: Key Element: Plans for Rt. 25 and Rt. 112. The Town & the DOT
Meeting to be scheduled by Tim Bishopıs office.
7. Key Element: Kogal Site: Presentation: The Vision developed during the Charrette process is a framework upon which we must build. In order for our vision to become a reality planners must take that vision and describe the streetscapes, etc. in more detail. In order to move that process along, the Longwood Alliance brought in Traffic Engineer Rick Hall , and architect Alex Latham to add details to the visions developed by the community in the Middle Island Center.
8. Group discussed and agreed that the process of asking the TOB to send out Request for expressions of interest to developers who have past experience developing Town Centers seemed advantageous.
9. UA Theater Property - Report from TOB
10 . It was stated that additional grants are being submitted for future funding:
11. Discussion of street trees and their functions was postponed.
Several members of the Renaissance Project met with employees of the Town Planning and Environmental Protection Depratments to discuss plans for improving Artist Lake Park In Middle Island. The NYS Department of Transportation has earmarked the park for renovations that would limit storm water runoff from Route 25 into the lake. Although Town and NYS DEC officials were involved in creating the site plan, no one from from the middle Island community had been involved prior to this meeting.
The site plan was reviewed and a list of changes and concerns was compiled. Jeff Kasner, Director of the Town's Environmental Protection Dept., stated he would present the list to the DOT and let the Renaissance Project know that agency's response.
Improvements to the park are slated to begin Spring, 2004. In addition to mimizing storm water run-off by using a fixed gravel system in the parking area, the improvements include a new sitting area and trees.
The Community Information Task Force is organizing distribution of the Renaissance Project's brochures describing the general visions for development in Coram and Middle Island.
Volunteers will be placing brochures, in holders, in up to six locations each and monitoring those locations to periodically refill the holders. We still need four people to complete the minimum number required to begin.
Anyone interested in volunteering to help, please contact Ira Brickman at 345-0589.
