OP-ED: Vociferous public opposition to Cornerstone

There has been much discussion about the proposed Cornerstone apartment complex on Mulford Street in various news outlets and discussion platforms online, such as the Patchogue Nextdoor app, Greater Patchogue, Facebook, the LI Advance, and Patchogue Patch. There has also been significant public outcry against the project in village planning board meetings. A couple of things have become clear as one reads these discussions and letters to the village:

1. The planning board was completely right in its report to the trustees when it said that there is tremendous “vociferous public opposition” to the proposed Cornerstone project.
2. There is an overwhelming feeling of sorrow in the neighborhood that a project like this could possibly be allowed to move forward, completely changing the character of where we live, negatively affecting the environment, and increasing traffic congestion.

Although the developer claims that the citizens of the village are being listened to, one of the biggest—if not the biggest—public concern has been disregarded. This concern pertains to the magnitude of this proposal, especially considering the surrounding neighborhood. The developer is still proposing a 50- unit four-to-five-story apartment building that is over 50 feet tall, and which would necessitate demolition of a beautiful bungalow to make space for “banked parking.” (It should also be noted that the Village of Patchogue does not legally recognize banked parking as counting as parking spaces.) Such proposed banked parking effectively increases the size of the project, rather than reduces it.

The size of the proposal must be reduced to decrease the number of rental units, thereby reducing the size of the building, which would help to alleviate concerns regarding building height and the need for parking variances. The current zoning does not allow for this project in its current proposed form and a special permit should not be issued in order for Cornerstone to proceed.

It is clear that the village is greatly concerned by a potential lawsuit from the developer if they are denied their request for a special permit, variances, and zoning changes. Please remember that these requests are not rights. A typical village homeowner would never be granted permission to build up four stories on their house, or a variance to park 15 cars on their lawn. A developer of a giant apartment block should not be granted these changes or variances, either.

Thank you,

David Bowman Patchogue, N.Y.