Born 1963 in HS. Grew up there, and watched it all deteriorate through the 70's and 80's. I can't understand what is with you anti development, anti Avalon Bay'ers. When I saw the tract of land on a map, I thought, why would anyone oppose the building of solid middle/upper class housing there? Other than the armory (still there?) and an office building on the east end of that road, there's nothing back there. Land that could be generating taxable income.
Now a private developer takes the initiative and here come the NIMBYers. How people cut off their nose to spite their face is beyond me. Oh and please, don't start with the whole aquafer thing or some other "green" line of bs.

The Avalon Bay development in Huntington Station MUST be approved and move forward. The scare tactics of the fanactical NIMBYs must be exposed as what they are - outright lies. The truth is that not only will the Avalon Bay community upgrade the area and bring in more taxes to the Town (not cost the Town) - but it will provide much needed up-scale housing, especially for the young professionals, teachers, bank tellers, nurses, policemen, firemen and other respectable citizens who will qualify for the "work force" housing component of the development. Long Island cannot survive and prosper without more developments of this type...transit oriented developments with an "affordable" component. The residents of Long Island must understand that if they want to see lower taxes, there needs to be density permitted in select locations; and if they don't want to see their children leave Long Island, there must be nice places where they can afford (and want) to live. High taxes, lack of transportation and the brain drain are three problems which must be resolved. The proposed Avalon Bay project is part of the solution. I am a Huntington Town resident and am 100% in favor of this project.

You Say Yes people are laughable. I would not even dignify any of your rantings with a answer or comment!! Silly, silly people you still don't get it!

Lauren~ It's hysterical! So here we have YIMBY people, well not really....it's more like "Yes In My Neighbors Yard" people, calling people who don't want this, who live here, and taxes will subsidize this. "nimbys". I had no idea what a NIMBYS was till I was called one! For the record, I have never paid dues nor wore a button as a nimby so, guess what? I am going on record saying I am not a NIMBY, I am a smart, tax paying homeowner who lives in 11746 and my vote counts more than anyone with a vested interest in this project, who lives OUTSIDE of 11746 and does not pay taxes here. The MTA is not currently signing a legal document to want to purcahse this parcel of land so whoever is bringing of the MTA is just being distracting and is uninformed of the MTA being BROKE!....either or. I don't want Avalon Bay and I live here. If you can't say you live in a house, in 11746 and are not working for or volunterring for someone who is receiving any amount of "community benefits" from this project? You don't get a vote.

I would like to see Avalon Bay build this in Cold Spring Harbor near their train station and let the kids go to Cold Spring Harbor schools where they have the $$ and space to fit them.. Put affordable housing in that town. Rockville Center was not happy that Avalon Bay built there either. I heard Avalon Bay had to sue Rockville Center to get it built there. Its not GREEN BS to worry about the Traffic, Pollution, Crime thats why they do environmental impact reports . PS most of my friends are cops, firemen, postal workers and respectable citizens and none of them would think of moving into Avalon Bay in HS.

or Llyod Harbor......talk about space to spare and a school district that has room. They want to rent to college grads and seniors, but you have to make $86,000.00 per year to qualify for the "affordable housing component" so $2000.00-$3,000.00 (on average) per month!!! Who makes that kind of $ to live in a glorified hotel room? Invest that money in a house you can gain equity in instead. And seniors!!!! what senior do you know that gets $86,000.00-$140,000.00 (depending on room, model and bells and whistles) from SOCIAL SECURITY???

Jen Lloyd Harbor is the Cold Spring Harbor school district.Where are they renting? $86,000 is affordable housing to them ! Ha Ha . There are plenty of seniors that have that kind of $$ when they retire. These are the respectable people that wont be moving into Avalon Bay in HS.

I love how Avalon Bay is targeting college grads!!! The average grad makes $40K per year (so they do not qualify to move into AB) and is $20K in debt.......yes you could join forces with another grad and double up but since neither of you qualify? Buy a house together, build equity, invest in your future instead of Avalon Bays future.

What senior citzen do you know making $86K - $140K per year? Is that what Social security pays out now?

Kim
We dont need for you to ENLIGHTEN us and inform us on what revitalization does. We get it . We understand . We disagree.

I know that area. It cannot support something like Avalon Bay. First of all, the traffic would be a nightmare. To think that all those people who buy or rent in there will take the train to the City for work is a joke. Most will drive to their job, which leaves two ways to get out of the development; Park Avenue, right by the RR tracks - already a massively congested area - or Lenox Road, which during rush hour is also very congested. The traffic would also affect Pulaski and Depot and eventually the side roads as people try to find faster ways around the traffic. Secondly, it is just too big a project. If they cut it in half, then maybe the surrounding taxpayers would think about the project again in a new light.

And to all those folks complaining about NIMBYISM, you have no right to say anything unless this is in YOUR back yard.

Could someone please confirm the actual size of the backyards at Highview that the previous posters is referring to? Also highview backs up to the opposite side of the street were the proposed avalon bay site is. Huntington Country Farms has more of a claim it IS in their back yard and seems they are at EVERY anti Avalon Bay meeting possible. It is NOT in Highviews backyard, they don't even have backyards. You can barly fit a small grill on the cement slab each person gets.

I understand she lives in Highview and the backyard is a 3X3 slab of cement???

Last time I visited Highview I didn't really see "backyards" at all.

I do however have a real backyard and a HOUSE with EQUITY. I also mow my own grass in my yard......I do not form a community in the apartment complex I live it and they take care of all that stuff for me. I grown tomatos, and peppers and I actually eat them!

I do not want this project, in no, way, shape or form. I do NOT support the big fat circle now being called an "overlay district" that most poeple know as the re-zoning.

Oh Kim-so PC and such canned responses!! First of all, do you see how many rentals are available around Huntington these days?? Second, do you really think anybody wants to raise a family in that area anymore? I would vote a big NO!! Are you aware of the crisis HS is in? We had to close a school Kim. We need to clean up this mess before we even think about any new projects like AB. Don't give me the BS about how AB will "revitalize" HS. We all know the track record there!!

What don't you get about NO N O No No No. Get it ? Do you know how to spell it? We don't want it, the traffic , the pollution , the nightmare. Build it somewhere else sweetie pie.

Madeline - Can I use your line "sweetie Pie" and "what don't you get about NO NO NO".
this entire Avalon is just nuts nuts and nuts.
over to you Jane.

The reason I wrote No N O No is because I feel like this conversation is talking to your children. When you tell them no and they keep on asking , and demanding, explaining, and trying to wear you down so you finally give in and say yes. Guess what ? The answer will still be No. We have a right to our opinion too without YOU trying to wear us down with all your explanations of why its so good. Like we are children and we dont get it. I would like to have a survey done door to door on this issue. With all the FACTS that Avalon Bay gives and all the FACTS that the NIMBY people have. I am very confident that the "Y" people will certainly be shocked to see that the " NO people will win by a landslide" Vivienne where do you want to use my quotes?

Madeline I only want to use your quotes in a personal conversations - I just really liked your line: Build it somewhere else sweetie pie - much nicer than some of the other words that come to mind dealing with these bullies.

The MTA is a great idea. If they are going to build it should at least be a 32 track so that the MTA will not have to expand in a few years. Someone told me that the MTA would be paying a lot of tax money and then we could rebuild our schools.

Johnny P~ Feel free to e-mail me at JWeirdly@yahoo.com and join the people in Huntington Station WHO HAVE A BACKYARD and don't want this in it....we are pushing back, and hard!

This is an excellent blog and an opportunity for all of Huntington to weigh in on an important local issue.

The taxpayers of the town of Huntington certainly should not have to subsidize this development. Avalon Bay wouldn't be doing this development if they didn't expect to make a significant return on their investment. If Avalon Bay will cost the town in terms of traffic, utility use, school impact or any other municipal service, then they should be taxed appropriately to pay for those costs. This taxation can be in the form on upfront impact fees or normal real estate taxes.

The argument that Avalon Bay will bring gangs and crime to Huntington Station and will cause more shootings such as the one that resulted in the closing of Jack Abrams School seems a little over the top to me. Show me another community with qualifying incomes similar to Avalon Bay that has become a magnet for drugs and gangs. Let's be serious, Avalon Bay will have a huge investment in this community and they aren't going to let it turn into the nation's first "high-rent, crime-filled, crack-house-ridden, neighborhood."

So many people have longed for the redevelopment and revitalization of Huntington Station-- to see it return to the way it was in the 1960's. This is a real chance to do just that. By working together, the private sector, our town government and the people of Huntington, can make a real and lasting improvement to our town.

The Town's Horizon 2020 update acknowledged the critical housing issues with respect to affordability and the increasing demand for diverse housing types to serve a changing population (page 9-3). The changing population decrease in average persons 3.96 to 2.96; 25% increase of 65 years or older and decrease of 25-29 year age group greatest decrease of young professionals.

Avalon Huntington Station will provide much needed housing for our young professionals and empty nesters. This Transit Oriented Development will promote a healthier economy, community, promote walking, and biking, increase economic stimulus to our local businesses and much more!

Email or write Your Town of Huntington Board in support of the Avalon Huntington Station project today! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Huntington-New-York/107745065915449?v=stream&ref=ts#!/photo.php?pid=5023531&fbid=421380588239&op=1&o=global&view=global&subj=130093707022596&id=682873239

Not in Huntington Station. There are plenty of rentals available in Huntington. We need to clean up the mess before we add more!!

Toni-have you been to HS?? Nobody is walking anywhere. Especially after dark. Any young professional paying what AB wants would be better off living in NYC.

Email and write you elected officials that work for US the residents of Huntington not for Massapequa where Toni lives. Say NO to AB in HS!!!
Leave HS alone. Don't destroy Huntington with your Queensification!!!!

A demographic analysis of the community was performed by Saratoga Associates to evaluate the number of households, median household income and income classifications within 5 miles of Huntington Station. The analysis determined there are over 164,563 residents and 54,668 households within five miles of Huntington Station. For those households within this 5-mile radius, the average household income is $143,254 and the median income is $101,664. A total of 20,789 households, within the 5-mile radius have incomes below 80 percent of the HUD Adjusted Median Income of $97,100 for Suffolk County.

AvalonBay Communities, Inc, has 1,621 units in six communities on Long Island. Residents are primarily college graduates, young professionals, young couples and empty nesters. Key demographics are as follows:
43 percent under age 35
21 percent over age 55
41 percent lived in the same town as where built
73 percent come from the same county
82 percent of residents work in Long Island
22 percent work in the same town where they live

The Town of Huntington has identified such redevelopment and revitalization efforts as part of its' Horizons 2020 Update wherein stating that "the LIRR station provides a significant opportunity to promote transit-oriented development as a revitalization strategy (page 10-10).

FYI to readers of this comment section: Ms Reidel is a paid contract employee by Avlaon Bay Communties and lives full time in Massaapequa something or other - either Massapequa or Massapequa Park. So welcome to a free ad from Avalon...

pathetic to still be posting on "old news" page 3???

I DO NOT SUPPORT THE HSTOD OR AVALON BAY!!!

I would appreciate no longer getting e-mail updates on an article so old it's like going back to read the classified for 3 weeks ago.

Page 3, laughable.
Someone must be getting paid to do that.

Itchy Itchy Itchy.
Back to you Jane.

FYI, I am a contracted staff by Avalon Bay Communities and the role is to share educational information that is fact driven and research backed. I do not live in Massapequa nor have for over 20 years. There is a wealth of educational information to share with the public as information on transit oriented developments that have thrived and turned communities around. In fact, one community built, in Huntington Station, was considered a "transit oriented development" because it was built near the LIRR HS. The TOD terminology was not around at the time, but the development was built and offered an affordable housing component. Today, the term is used for specific properties that fit the TOD demographics.

Building Avalon Bay is going to put alot more people into an area where there already is "alot more people". Solving Huntington Stations's woes by having more people come and live is only going to severly aggravate our problems. What about traffic? It is going to be insane - especially during rush hours! Park Avenue going over the train tracks - forget it! What about crime? More housing does not reduce crime. Why did they take away the police annex in HS? It seems that people believe there is a housing shortage for young people. Many people who are for this development (who do not live near the train) think that young people (their kids ) are going to live there. They might, but not forever. It is not going to be a place to lay down roots. The apartments will be attractive for transient people (like a train station). Remember that home prices are really coming down. It is a buyer's market and there is a surplus of homes for sale. Why build now?

The people who Avalon Bay will attract include the seniors and young professionals who otherwise would be forced to leave Huntington because of the lack of appropriate housing for them.

Again, if there are demonstrated traffic impacts or other municipal impacts, the developer should be required to pay the impact fees to address this issue.

More middle class and senior housing does decrease crime by putting more responsible eyes and ears in the community to alert the police when there is a problem.

Yes, home prices are falling, which is why rental demand is so strong. Who would buy when prices are still falling? But even at today's lower prices, homeownership in Huntington is out of reach of most young individuals and families. Seniors often will seek apartments over homeownership in order to cut back on home maintenance responsibilities. Avalon Bay has done its homework. This community will prosper and, along with it, Huntington Station.

Good points, Scott. More eyes and ears means more people being the eyes and ears of the community. Studies have shown that the dynamics of homestyle living is changing as empty nesters are downsizing to more community resort style living, young professionals, singles and single parents want the view and amenities and not the work of keeping up with a house and the property.

Kathryn, very good points. And, to address a few here in relation to why build now? Please see the the overview of Transit Orient Development and Why Now? which was created by a not-for-profit 5013C called Reconnecting America...you can view by going to http://avalonhuntingtonstation.com/news.html. It will answer many of the points you cover above. Also, keep in mind the type of residents Avalon Bay does attract are young professionals, college grads, empty nesters, single parents and couples without kids who have a good credit rating. The property indicated for change of zone is the 26 acres property owned by the Bonivita family. A TOD requirement is that the developer also include beautification enhancements to other areas in the surrounding area as well. TOD is a terminology promoting a healthier style of living through walking, biking, etc...reduce use of cars and traffic. Building near a transit station is ideal to meet this goal.

Kim, I did some research and found that their are task forces and us marshalls that do go into community areas and saturate the area to clean up the gangs and crime...not sure who or how as yet this is done. Maybe you can inquire?

FYI to Huntington Patch readers - Toni Riedel and Kim D'Ambrosio both are employeed by Avlaon either as a contract employee or working for a supplier for Avalon Bay Communities. It is so silly of them to "pretend to communicate with each other in this comment section" plus it is insulting to our intelligence.

As a public forum, this is the best platform for communicating with anyone as readers within the Huntington area can see all communications.

Even though I see the points being made for Avalon Bay are positive, I am still not convinced about the traffic and crime issues. The nice affordable housing development across from the train station (I forget its name) did nothing to deter the crime (actually it increased). If these issues are not resolved, no one is going to want to live around the train station, and the homes around the station will depreciate. It could gradually become a depressed area. I think that is why people who live there are very nervous. It could be a calamitous experiment with no guarantees.

Kim,
I did not mean that Highview increased the crime. I only meant that it did not deter the crime from increasing. Anyway, I just found out that Avalon Bay would like to make large 'donations' to various groups within the Huntington Staion community, especially the Friends of the Huntington Train Station. That is a bribe, and it sucks. I am not communicating here anymore.

Kathryn, join the meeting tomorrow night and share your concerns with the AB folks and others present. Bring a list of concerns to be discussed so you feel comfortable.

I am wondering if all the people who have asked for more affordable housing in Huntington (the reason stated for needing Avalon) have attended these meetings to speak up for Avalon saying they are waiting to move in there. Avalon says most who move in are local residents already. I personally do not know one single senior, single, or young couple who would pay $2000 a month to live there. A young couple I know has lived in an affordable legal apartment in a single family home (in 11746 zip) for three years at a cost far below $2000 monthly. They are the type of people who are expected to move into Avalon but they say they would never have rented there. Huntington Station probably has the most affordable rentals, condos, and homes anywhere in Huntington Township. Let's put some affordable housing in other areas where there is none. Huntington Station has plenty. Whatever happened to the affordable housing that was supposed to be built in East Northport?
Also, with the TOD, I am worried that, in a few years, the industrial buildings (which pay taxes and do not add children to the school district) on Broadway, Railroad St, Park Ave, and NYA will be replaced with high density affordable housing because of the rezoning. I think Avalon will build a lovely community, and as an almost Senior, I would like to buy into such a community. But not next to the train tracks. And not to rent for $2000 a month which I could not afford even though we make a very good salary.

Greg, please take a look at the TOH Horizons 2020 Comprehensive Update. It shares information from TOH residents through meetings, surveys, website inputs on what community residents believe are important issues and providing a diverse housing stock for all income levels is one along with raising the bar on the quality of housing being built. The information is very information and shows what the short term and long term goals are for the TOH revitalization plan including the Huntington Station area. Please go to the Say Yes to Avalon Huntington Station Facebook page and see the photos and video of the proposed development. It will give you an insight of the visual impact both exterior and interior...the landscaping of the development is full of greenery, flowers and more.! Please consider joining the Say Yes page and writing your TOH Board in support of the development. Join the September 21st Town Hall meeting at 6pm arrival time as well.

NO! TO AB
The people pushing for this project should wake up and realize we in HS don't want it. There is no way the crime will be cleaned up in the next couple of years, Kim. We have been trying for 20 years that I know of and it has only gotten worse. Down zone in your own back yard ladies and gentlemen. I sure don't want any more over crowded roads, parks, schools, hospitals, etc.
There are plenty of homes to be bought now in HS. Let us see some people with $2000 a month come in and by a home instead and clean up the neighborhood that way. We are a suburban town and want to keep it that way. Sorry if you put all your eggs in one basket during these trying times, it doesn't make it right to dump in my back yard.

I keep reading Kim and other supporters of Avalon talk about how a rental property like Avalon Bay will allow young people to stay here in Huntington. $2000 a month is not affordable nor is it going to allow those young invidiuals to save money to invest in a home. $2000 a month for a rental property is ABSURD!!! No young adult coming out of college would be able to afford this kind of rent. Even if it is $1600 or $1500, that is still not going to be feasible. There are enough rental properties in the area that are much much cheaper than that.

Also, Kim, you keep speaking of "creative ways" to reduce the traffic...can you enlighten us? What creative ways? How can you say we can clear up these minor issues over the next few years? If they were minor issues, they would have been taken care of already!!!!!

Say Not to Avalon Bay!!!!!!! Can't wait for the SEptember 7th meeting at Town Hall! I'll be there...along with many many of my friends who live in Huntington Station.

So you think that 2 young people would rather share a 1 bedroom apartment, be in a horribly high crime area with terrible traffic than find a more affordable option just because of a pool & being close to the train? Delusional...

Amanda-they are DELUSIONAL!! Pack em and stack em. They prob support "Agenda 21" too!!

My advice to everyone is to stop engaging in conversation with the YES people.

What is on the table is a proposed community development encompassing rentals and ownership for mix of all income levels, especially the 25% workforce and affordable, that is going to be built near the transit station. Economically their are benefits to the town and school district among other surrounding groups and areas, the tax increase revenue is a huge plus, jobs will be created by the project and the revitalization and so on. Looking at the facts and seeing if the town and community overall benefits from the revitalization plans and the Avalon Bay project are the key points.

Bayshore is one suburb that has been revitalized to be a booming area and safer to live as well. Businesses are owning, people are enjoying dining and many more activities. Safety was a true issue and is now a safer and business is doing great.

Toni - the reports posted on the Huntington Housing Coalition site ( and promoted by Avalon Bay ) written by Pearl Kramer says that 60% of multifaimily dwellings in Suffolk County are tax positive. It also clearly says that 40% are tax negative. I really do not think those are numbers to brag about. Nor is it factual for you to say the tax revenue is a huge plus since there is a 40% chance this project will be tax negative. Funny how Avalon Bay accuses others of spreading mis-information.

Anna, let's share this with more of an authoritative person on tax pluses and negatives which is not something in my area of expertise.

Now will that authoritative person also be a contract employee of Avalon Bay ? I have met you at the Avalon meetings , Toni, and have seen how you go to them when you don't know an answer to a question. No need to share it with anyone. It is right on page 6 of the report posted on the Huntington Township Coalition titled Multifamily Housing on Long Island - Impact on School Aged Children by Pearl Kramer, the link is also available from your own Say Yes to Avalon facebook page. It's a lot of pages that say multifamily housing has less impact than most school districts think. But, and this is a big B -U -T, page 6 clearly says of the 159 developments looked at in Suffolk County, 40% are tax negative. So what is it? Did those posting this report think we were not going to read it? Did they think we were going to hear " almost 2/3 positive " and not see that it is also almost 1/2 negative? Or do the people posting these reports not actually read them, themselves? If Frank Petrone stood in front of Huntington tax payers and said we are considering a project that studies in Suffolk County show has a 40% chance of being tax negative, what do you think those tax payers would say? Let's see how the "authoritative person" spins this. I am all ears.

Pearl Kamer's research data states the following on pages 7 & 8
Clearly multifamily housing generates far fewer school age children per residential dwelling unit than suburban housing in general.
Equally significant, MFH is not necessarily a tax negative for the school district. Approximately two thirds of MFH complexes analyzed in this study were actually tax positive.
Socioeconomic factors, principally income levels, have a bearing on the ratio of school age children per dwelling unit in MFH.
She, also, adds that due to the relative scarcity of MF rentals, condos and coops, Long Island housing mix no longer meets the needs of its residential population, which contain proportionately singles, young couples w/o kids, and senior empty nesters. 25-44 year olds have declined 828,000 2000 to 683,000 2008 or 18%. Young workers form the backbone of the LI future economy. Loss of their skills could impede the LI recovery of the economy

The discussion of appropriate taxation for Avalon Bay is very relevant and many good points have been made. Please note that families living in single family homes with more than one child in public school is probably tax "negative" too. Nonetheless, I agree that Avalon Bay must pay its fair share.

Clearly not, Pearl Kamer shares good information pertaining to the multifamily housing issue and she is an expert in this area. Community members need to read all the information shared in that study. Good data from expert research and analysis. Consumer and community members would find her information of great interest.

Yes Toni - my point exactly. On page 7& 8 she says approximately 2/3rds are tax positive. On page 6, the actual number for Suffolk County is 60% positive, 40 % negative. Saying MFH clearly generates less children is her interpretation of the facts but the facts are 60/40- actually, the facts are 96 developments were tax positive and 63 developments were tax negative ( page 15) . If someone who was against MFH paid her for this report, it would most likely say clearly MFH is almost 1/2 tax negative. As for her comments on why young people leave LI, yes she blames it on scarcity of MFH. But, she offers no proof of that anywhere in the report. Nowhere did she show evidence that she has tracked down those who have left to find out why. So, again, we are reading assumptions that are being portrayed as if they were fact. Maybe all those people left because they could not afford high property taxes and bought homes ( not MFH ) in parts of the country where taxes were more reasonable. Also, the study says type of development and # of units provide same results. They have eliminated age restricted developments, but nowhere did they do a study of only those developments with large #s of 3 bedroom units. For clearly, looking at the Avalon #s alone, those with few or no 3 bedrooms have fewer children and those with some or many have a lot. No evidence of the benefits you say.

Pearl Kamer shares good research on multifamily housing trends, socioeconomics focusing on income levels. The data shows the 25-44 year olds declining due to lack of affordable housing which Avalon Bay has supported in two of their current communities with Huntington Station being a third and at 25%. The study looked at a number of multifamily housing in both Nassau and Suffolk...not just Avalon.

Kamer, also, states what other studies nationally share that population demographics have changed and a need for a different housing stock is needed that is what the TOH through their research and Avalon is meeting that need.

Anna, good points shared. Property taxes are high yes. Keep in mind Avalon Bay has a very good track record nationally and on Long Island with waiting lists of people who want to live there. The HS development will be the first on Long Island to offer ownership. Let's not assume the 40% change of a worse tax situation is going to be Avalon. The Avalon Huntington Station advantage will be an increase in tax revenue as stated in the Get the Facts about Avalon Huntington Station. Avalon agreed to a $1.5 million mitigation payment to the school district in addition to the projected property tax payments of over $2,000,000 annually. The demographic population has changed and is changing the town is moving with that change in paradigm to meet the new housing demand. The benefits of Avalon are clearly documented for people to see the outline of what they will bring to the community.

Villages West and Country Farms are two examples of multifamily and compact developments that are successful and people live happily. I do not state it, studies both locally and nationally share the demographic population changing. The annual tax revenue about 65% goes directly to the school district yearly. The research shows about possibly 88 to 100 kids for this development. Remember the demographic resident young professionals, couples no kids and empty nesters with good credit as well. The BOE and town would now more about how they will be using the revenues than any other person.

ENOUGH!!! Maybe we should build where u live Toni!!! SD3 can NOT take 1 more kid let alone 80 or 100!! WE THE PEOPLE that live here don't want it!!!! Does that matter at all????BOE is seriously rethinking supporting this cuz it was totally different when they gave their support GO AWAY!!!!
Young professionals don't want to pay high rent in a crime ridden part of town. Please don't respond. I am done and not receiving these delusional updates anymore!!!!

Kim, I happy to hear you think it is an important exchange. But my conclusions are very different than yours. I do not want Avalon Bay and most people I know do not . Toni, even your #'s above ( Avalon's #s ) don't make sense. Avalon says this will be a TOD because it is near a train, yet the #'s you posted say 82% of its residents work on LI and 22% work in the town they live. So who is taking the train? None of Avalon's claims make sense. They are a big company that has embarked on a marketing campaign. They shove smart growth concepts and brain drain fears down our throats so they can build. Vision LI, sponsored by many businesses but not tax payers, promotes it right along with them. It is like the old Dannon yogurt ads where they said live cultures will help you live longer because some researcher found a bunch of 100 year old Russians who ate yogurt. Yes, the studies were there and Dannon capitalized on it. But were they true? I know both of you believe what you are saying. But some of us will actually pay the price when this albatross is built. Affordable housing can be done on a smaller scale that is not such a threat as this humongous down zone. We all can be happy. If Avalon won't play that way, then we probably don't want them anyway.

Ana - I agree with you 100%. What is distressing is that Toni Reidel is not truthful in any of her comments. She is employed by Avalon Bay as a contract employee to use her "skills" as a social media expert (?) to sway us to Avalon. Should Avalon be built based upon their track record in our towns we will be directly subsidizing them via increased school taxes. Even the Melville Avalon housing project caused that school district to float a $20 million dollar bond. The statistics by Avalon showing a low number of children is complete fabrication. This coming Tuesday @ 2pm the Town of Huntington will have the last public hearing prior to their voting on this housing project on September 21, 2010 @ 6 pm. Could you contact these elected officials and inform them of your opinion. In closing, I have to say "over to you - Jane" - as usually Kim D"Ambrosio will jump in with her drivel.

Huntington Station resident Kim D'Ambrosio
5:40pm on Friday, August 20, 2010
JohnnyP,
I do live in HS and strongly support the Avalon project. The MTA also wants that same piece of land for a 16 track railyard. How would you feel about that as an alternative?

Hi Kim

Just to respond to your post, i would be 100% on board with a rail yard at this location. There are several reasons why this would be advantageous over the proposed Avalon Bay development.
1. Last time I checked rail yards don't have residents. i.e no increase in traffic congestion.
2. If there were a rail yard then at least there would be an MTA Police presence in the area.
3. Rail Yards wont become slum apartments down the road. (Winoka Apartments)
However there is no real reason to debate this "Rail Yard" as anyone who watches the news knows the MTA cant even afford to keep trains and busses going let alone purchase extra land to build a rail yard!

Kim the problem people are having is that this project WILL destroy the way of life so many of us have come to love. The Station has its problems, but at the end of the day its still a nice place to live. Us homeowners have vested interests in our homes, and yes we do get upset when an outside company comes in and tells us how great its going to be. Well I am here to say its not going to be so great and that we "Stationites" are not going to sit idly by any more and watch our homes be destroyed. Say NO to Avalon.

If anyone wants a "SAY NO TO AVALON AND DOWN ZONING" -- please send me a message!

Yes, Avalon built in Melville. The water had to be brought in from South Huntington Water District as insufficient water in Melville for this housing project. A pipe had to be dug under the Northern State Parkway to bring water to the housing development. The school district had to float a $20 million dollar bond. Dr. Kramer's report states that the school district also is in the negative due to low projections of school age children from Avalon. Because of low projections regarding students - the balance of the district tax payers received an increase in School Taxes. Smoke and Mirrors. As to the State of Connecticut - Avalon "guided" their State Assembly in creating the laws regarding "Smart Growth". How helpful to them. If anyone wants a "SAY NO TO AVALON" sign for their lawn please send me a message. We how have 800+/- on lawns around the town. And we just had to place a 3rd order for additional 400.

You must have not been driving around the neighborhood. I've seen them on Lenox, Park, Pulaski, East Rogues, near the mall, in the village and on many of the side streets. It's very exciting to know that there is a lot of support to Say NO to Avalon! That is evident by the mood of every person I talk to about this. We will see on September 7th just how many people disagree with this!

There are quite a few signs where I live too. Good job - they do get your attention.

Kim-you are out of your mind!!! Again this has nothing to do with Dem/Rep/Tea party. There are ppl from ALL parties opposing AB. It's you small minded liberals hat have ruined this country and are trying to destroy Huntington with your Socialist BS!! Get a clue and a job!!!
We wants what is right for the people that actually live in Huntington and pay taxes. Enough already

FYI to the pro-avalon people. On September 7, 2010 approximately 1,900 signatures will be submitted against Avalon the the down zoning of Huntington Station to allow apartment rental buildings. I have been told that over 790 letters have been sent to TOH opposing massive housing projects. You are can FOIL these and verify the addresses and signatures. Final point, unlike the Avalon "YES PEOPLE" all the signatures were collected by concerned unpaid residents. Huntington Station home and land owners are being harassed in their own homes by people that are paid $12.00 per hour to collect "YIMBY" signatures - the paid signature collectors have stated that they live in Glen Cove, Amityville, Brooklyn and Mineola. Enough, this is all nuts. Over to you Jane.

Ms Wong,

Unfortunately AvalonBay has been linked with many long standing problems facing Huntington Station: lack of adequate police protection; gang violence; substandard housing; and now the closing of the Jack Abrams School. This has caused understandable fear and anger among HS residents which, I am sure, is driving some to sign anti-Avalon petitions and letters. But our newly-formed "Coalition to Support AvalonBay at Huntington Station" now has 26 Huntington stakeholder organizations and religious congregations who have a long-standing commitment to the vitality of HS and Huntington. They represent thousands of Huntington residents and there message is being calmly but clearly directed at the Town Board members: Do not turn your back on millions of dollars that AB will bring to HS and Huntington. This is an unprecedented opportunity for the economic revitalization of HS and for much-needed affordable housing for young people and empty nesters who are leaving our town. The Board members need to rise above the clamor and do what is right for all of us in Huntington, especially HS.

Richard Koubek, President
Huntington township Housing Coalition

Mr. Koubek,

I believe that many of us have presented sane, logical arguments against Avalon Bay and the TOD. For you to boil those arguments down to us blaming Avalon for all the hot issues of the moment is shameful and poor representation of your coalition. Readers should go to your site at huntingtonhousingcoalition.org and read your priorities, including reducing frontage for accessory apartments and allowing even more apts over stores . You also say address effects on schools, yet you promote Millenium Hills as a success but never mention that the number of children from this development ended up being more than triple the projection. I believe you mean well, but it is clear that you see over-building and high density as the answer to all that is wrong with the world. Please don't insult my intelligence by calling my points clamor. They are very well thought out conclusions after reading much of the research and even many of your own discussions to the Suffolk Planning Committe.

Kim,
To answer your last point first - the point I made of Avalon selling buidings was to show how they are known to operate - all over the country - in economic cycles. They sell when a building is deemed to be less profitable and let's not pretend to not understand the manner in which the next owner will bring it back to profitability. This project is simply too large to take that risk. And we don't "need" to offer multifamily housing, although some like yourself "want" to. I think I have already explained how the "need" part is a brilliant marketing scheme presented by the very same entities that will benefit the most by our acceptance of "their" truths. Their goal is to change the very face of LI by increasing density wherever they can and lie to us to get that done. For goodnes sake, just look at the Heartland Project most of these groups support. 9,300 rental units at the Sagtikos Parkway by the LIE? Will that also fill a need for current LIers who don't want to own? Really- 9,300 of them? No - it will expand our population to meet the financial needs of the entities involved and at the same time take away from us a quality of life we are fighting hard to preserve.

One more thing to consider. Cannon USA is building right here in our township. They did not demand affordable housing in order to attract employees. They knew there are enough people who live here to fill their needs. They demanded tax incentives. Once they got them, they built. The businesses that are demanding affordable and multifamily housing for their survival need to take a look at their own business model to see why they are not as profitable as they would like to be. Entities like the MTA and our own town council need to look at their own policies and overblown budgets to fix their mistakes. Growth on LI is possible without increasing density. It will require efforts to bring down costs to those who already live here by bringing down taxes and freeing up money that can be spent in the community. That, Kim, is a free market concept - not mandated affordable housing linked with market rate and created by a governemnt playing around with zoning.

Mr Koubek or Kim: How do you feel about TOD's being used at the other three train stations in the Town?

Mr. Koubek,

Thank you for your response. My issue is that Mr. Anthony Aloisio, Planning Director, for the Town of Huntington, sent a correspondence to the suffolk County Planning Commission on August 20th essentially stating that the Town has no intention of implementing TOD's at the other stations. The main concern was the issue of sewering. I feel that sewering should not be a factor that impedes such re-zoning. Aloisio knows full well that in order to connect to the Huntington STP that the installation of a pump station and force main could be used to connect to said district. Additionally Aloisio knows that the Matinecock development is proposing on-site treatment. My feel, as you are aware, is against this TOD concept BUT if it good for HS then it should apply to the other stations. This may be something that you want to take up with Aloisio and boss Petrone.

Wow - holy cow! So, Mr. Koubek - are you telling us that we can safely tell all our Greenlawn and Cold Spring Harbor neighbors that you will also support a TOD in their train station and their school district too? You just said at "each Huntington LIRR station.". You, Mr. Koubek, need to stand up LOUDER so that every person that lives in this area is exactly clear about where you stand. Like I said before, and like your website clearly states, there is not an empty spot of land on this Island that you will not support overbuilding. I am so glad to have your words in print, and they have been printed. Huntington and Huntington Station have always been the whipping post. But now we have the printed words to bring to Cold Spring Harbor and Lloyd Harbor. You have woken the sleeping dragon, thank you Dan for bringing that out.

OMG - I am giddy. We can now bring proof to a community that has just voted in lights out so they can see the night sky better that the Huntingtron Housing Coalition will also support a TOD at their train station - this is HUGE!

Anna,

Transit Oriented Developments is a cutting edge, Smart Growth developments concept intended to reduce automobile use, preserve open space and encourage walkable communities near workplaces or public transportation. This is why the Suffolk county Planning Commission recommended them at each Huntington train station, if practical (i.e., if there is land, sewage, etc.) Spread the word, but try not to stir up to much fear, anger and hysteria when you do.

Richard Koubek, President
Huntington township Housing Coalition

Mr. Koubek,

With all due respect I would like to differ with the above post. You state that the concept of smart growth is to reduce automobile use, preserve open space and encourage walkable communities near workplaces, public transportation, etc. However I will keep this specific to the Huntington Station TOD. This project will increase automobiles and there usage on our roadways.(app. 1000 more cars ). The site as is produces zero cars. This parcel is the last, or certainly the last significant piece of open space HS has. Now clearly something ultimately will happen to this property as it is in the hands of a private landowner, however the proposed high density development in reality makes no effort to preserve a good chunk of open space on this parcel. A project with significantly less density would be able to achieve a valuable mix of proper density to open space ratios. Thirdly I would say approximately 90 percent of this parcel falls outside the 1/2 mile radius of the proposed TOD, thus by definition this project does not really fall into the TOD concept. A matter of fact the eastern portion of this property is about 8/10 to 9/10 of a mile from the train station proper. Just some things to consider.

Mr. Koubek:

Bit pressed for time right now but I would encourage everyone to read the new POV on the Village Tattler regarding Avalon and the number of children generated. Interesting read. 2 to 3 cars X 109 is 327 as opposed to 1000. Will try to address this more later. Thanks. LIRR issue has been discussed to death and in my humble opinion-debunked.

You are not worthy of a response Kim.

Anna, back to the numbers posted earlier. The demographics stats are for all of the Avalon properties on Long Island. The HStation development is the first type TOD for Long Island. Because this development will be located near the LIRR, it will allow less automobiles, especially during peak hours, due to the walkability or such to the train station by residents. TOD is the wave of the future as is Smart Growth meeting the needs of the changing dynamics. Interesting, the property itself is considered a high density area as is the surrounding area. Lots are put into 3 categories low density, medium and high...the acreage is the breakdown.

The focus of Avalon Huntington Station is to build a high quality community development that will blend in with the surrounding area and offer a new mix of housing stock for the changing population. The changing dynamics of the population is real and it meets the town's goal of providing this mix housing stock.

Toni - what you are saying here is pay attention to the stats when I tell you to, but ignore them when I tell you to as well.As for everything else you are saying, it sounds like a bad Avalon Bay info-mercial. Really, Avalon needs to add some personality into their contract employees responses. I would have expected more from this company. Now, both you and Mr. Koubek are using buzz words like wave of the future and cutting edge. Did Avalon send a memo? The focus of Avalon Huntington Station is to make a profit, nothing else. And Mr. Koubek, we are not spreading fear anger and frustration. We are spreading truth. It would be absolutely maddening how you reduce your opponents points to drivel by making such a statement - but we all know that is exactly what you are trying to do. I think it is reflecting poorly on you.

36 children are the total number ever expected to attend School District #3 from the original approval for this Bonavita parcel. The Town of Huntington Board approved a condominium cluster. Another interesting fact was the TOH Planning Board reduced the mandated affordable housing mandated from 20% to 10% for this original development. For further information read the Appendix M re Avalon on TOH website. Also, this TOD is nonsense - as 82% of the residents will be using cars to travel to work per Matt Whalan of Avalon Bay. This is all about MONEY. Tuesday, September 7th at 2pm is the final Town of Huntington Board before the TOH Board votes on September 21, 2010 - that Board meeting has been moved up to 6 pm start time.

Anna, Transit Oriented Development and Smart Growth are not buzz words, but the wave of the future which Long Island is just joining others nationally. Go to the AvalonHuntingtonStation.com website and throughout you will find sound research, by other organizations, and answers to many concerns, statements, and more that have been shared with the residents and published to everyone to see. Avalon is a nationally recognized organization and respected for the type of development and level of quality built.

The AvalonHuntingtonStation site has major information missing -such as the real number of children that will be attending the housing project. No maintenance costs are given should you want to purchase these units. Maintenance costs are extremely important as well as the cost of the unit in deciding can you afford to purchase. FYI to all the number of students attending the original approved proposal approved was only 36 students - not the 109 students that Avalon people have been stating. Go to TOH Website and go to library (left side opening page) scroll down to Planning - Appendix M has this informatino.

I can understand the frustration and even anger of those who feel that their community could be hurt by this development. Many valid points have been made about traffic impact. The school impact arguments don't wash with me since the Huntington School Board hasn't risen in opposition to Avalon Bay. The crime arguments also don't wash with me. I simply don't see how a $100 million middle-class housing development will cause more crime.

The traffic arguments seem much more valid to me and merit a detailed response from the Town in the form of a detailed traffic study that is directed by the Town but paid for by Avalon Bay.

I pray that our Town Council is sifting through these many exchanges to find the truth on all sides of this issue so that they may make the decisions that will help make Huntington a better place to live for all of us for decades to come.

A side note on the Abrams School closing. Because Huntington SD has been subject to court-enforced desegregation busing, children in affluent Huntington Bay were being bused to Abram School. How much of the turmoil about the shooting was Huntington Bay families seizing an opportunity to close down an excellent school facility so that their kids could avoid being bussed?

I find the comments by Mr. Koubek and Mr. Brown disingenuous. The last housing that was built for the community of Huntington Station was Highview (corner of Railroad & NY Avenue). The question is now many actual residents that lived in HS received a house? The answer is NONE. The bar was created so high that the existing residents could not qualify. As to Avalon and low income housing out of 490 units only 26 are low income. Shame on you Mr. Brown - when logic doesn't work play the race card! Again, Shame on you. And in closing, I am an EIMBY - ENOUGH IN MY BACKYARD. Full disclosure - do not live in HS but am in school district #3 and am a EIMBY
Ana all your points are excellent.

Avalon does not offer low-income housing or Section 8, it's been shared and documented in every article, website and more.

Ms. Wong. Who is talking about race? Parents in Huntington Bay preferred for their kids to go to nearby Flower Hill over being schlepped to Abrams school and seized an opportunity to make that happen. It is sad for Huntington SD since Abrams is a fine school facility and this only complicates the challenges faced by the Huntington SD administration and board.

To Kim D'Ambrosio, Toni Reidel, Scott Brown - I was going to reply but decided why waste my time. I unlike you three I am not employed by Avalon Bay Communities, as an employee or a contract employee nor do I work for a supplier to Avalon Bay nor do I work for an employee of the Town of Huntington such as Joan Cergol. Nor do I anticipate receiving a "donation" from AB.
So, in closing - have a nice day. Over to you Jane or John.

Ms. Wong. I am not employed by the Town or Avalon Bay and I certainly to not anticipate receiving any "donations." My only motivation is helping our Town Board make the best decision possible for our Town and its future.

I think it would be very sad if our Town Board couldn't find a way to constructively and productively channel $100 million of new capital to Huntington Station during this economic downturn.

JohnnyP,

Here is the DEFINITION OF DEMOCRACY from my google search....
Well Kim I am glad you have mastered the art of Google. Congrats. What I said was that you are watching Democracy at its best. There is dialog and discussions going on and that the people that oppose Avalon have the SAME rights as the people that are for it. I assure you that I do not need leassons from you on what constitutes a democracy. But once again you go on the attack. Well if you want to take that course than fine. I just find it funny that a person who currently lives in low income housing ...I mean "Affordable" housing is the champion for the developent. Just like Avalon isnt calling it a down zoning its what they like to call "Change" . Its all semantics. You speak of a right the people have to affordable housing, how about the RIGHTS of the people who currently live here. Dont the people who have mortgages have a say in what their town does to their neighborhoods! Yes, yes they do. So stop with all the avalon talking points. No one on here is ever going to switch their points of view to favor avalon; especially when Avalon is hiring people to go around asking for signatures. Yeah some proponents you guys have. Avalon cant even find anyone passionate enough from HS to "volunteer' there time. They have to HIRE people from Glen Cove to go around door to door. If Avalon is so good for the community I would think there would be an army out there champoining the development. Where are they?

Kim

I applaud you for your determination , however I sinserly doubt this project will ever get the go ahead now that the community has awoken. For far too long the residents of Huntington Station have been told that these developments will be beneficial to the community but time after time they have been complete and udder falures. The people of the community have had enough. No longer will we be the part of town that gets the joy of housing all the low income facilities. I have been out in my neighborhood talking with my neighbors and friends, and I would be hard pressed to name just one person who supports this project. Make no doubt about it, the residents of Huntington Station are going to be heard, its up to the Town to decide if they want to listen. I would think it foolish not to listen to the concerns of the people, but then again what do I know. I guess the people with the financial interest in the project are the only ones who matter. All us opposition are just right wingers who hate democrats, right Kim.

If you cant afford to live in Huntington then dont live here. There are lots of other places to live. Living in a nice area should be a privledge not a right.

Yes having the opportunity to live in a nice area is a priveledge and with the changing of populations, it is even more critical to offer a mix housing stock...some folks may want SFH while others chose not to and prefer to live in a community development with amenities in different price ranges. This is about a high quality development coming to HS which will add value both economically and socioecenomics. Avalon Communities have shown to add value to communities not the other way around. All the stats are on the avalon huntington station website and anyone may visit or call Chris Capece with any questions regarding information "heard" through other sources. Avalon Bay Communities is a highly recognized organization with integrity and social responsibility.

This is about a development proposed for a current vacant piece of land that will bring in more economic advantages to the community than it has in years and bring quality residents with good credit as well. There are good benefits for this project to the town, school and community as a whole. Listening to a number of community members, it is the fear of the unknown that seems to be driving so much of the controversy.

Johnny P - I look forward to seeing you at Town Hall today at 2 pm or on 9/21 6pm. Your points are excellent. That has been kept hidden from the residents in Huntington Station is that the original development for this Bonavita property was for 109 cluster condo style homes that their study showed only 36 children would be attending School District #3. All new developments in Huntington have to have 20% of the homes for "affordable housing" or some such buzz word of the week. This owner was given an exception from the TOH Planning Board and only had to give 10% for "affordable".This information is on the TOH website. If you have interesting in reading go to library, scroll down to Planning and the study is "Appendix M" under Avalon. Another interesting fact is that while they use buzz word "Transit, etc". It is stated by the Avalon VP Matt Whelan -that 88% of the residents will be using cars to travel to jobs on Long Island. The destruction of Huntington Station came from the government. I feel as if I am living in ancient times in Troy and a horse has been given to us a gift.

JohnnyP - The Town of Huntington Board Meeting, etc is on for today starting at 2pm. It is not uncommon for people to be told othewise when they call up. In fact, in the past a typed note was on the entrance to Town Hall saying "no meeting re Avalon" and people left. The word game is this: Avalon is not on the Agenda for today. Yet, people can speak and must speak at the public portion if they are against it. What the TOH tricksters do is say: " See no one said they didn't want Avalon and this rezoning and all the people that spoke were in favor of this. " The public record where people can speak for 3 minute maximum is important - this is recorded by a stenographer.

Johnny P, yes fear of the unknown due to changes that is what a number of the conversations entailed at the last Open House with community members. Johnny, I did not organize the signature strategy nor can answer that for you...I can try to find out if you like. Also, it is not for us to tell people to go to another state for wanting to live in a community. Noone said that to those living in Country Farms, Highview or other communities. I hear you loud and clear and do thank you for sharing your input; you have every right to share your voice. Those wishing to live in this new development may chose to do so as well and live in a lovely complex as you do in your home. Communities coming together are the focus, may be different, but working together to make a better community.

Toni -
The root of the issue is that they are requiring a complete rezoning of an area to meet the needs of a corporation not the people. The zones are there for a reason and people bought their homes based on those zoning regulations. I am all about intelligent dialog and debate, however all I hear from the proponents are name calling and out right lies. Take for example today’s town hall meeting. I had to listen to proponents label the opposition as liars and tea partiers with absolutely no evidence. They said that people are intentionally going around and spreading lies. I am a bit appalled by such a general accusation. Now I am not ignorant, people on both sides are worked up and adamant about there points of view. Sometimes information can take on a sort of telephone effect. Its up to everyone to research the project and make an educated decision. Labeling all who appose it as liars and tea partiers is a bit over the top and does not help your cause. I am not saying Avalon Bay is saying these things but certain coalitions and groups are. You say that there was no opposition to the above development when in fact there was; it just wasn’t as vocal as it is now for the proposed development. I’m sorry if your company is getting the grunt of the frustration, but the fact of the matter is we already have Country Farms, Highview, Whitman Village all located within this very tiny section of Huntington Station.

Johnny P - I was at the TOH Board meeting this afternoon - what a wonderful turnout. So much pressure on the Mom's having to leave to pick up their children from the school buses. Anyway - it was interesting the way all the YIMYS left at the same time. Curious - do you think a bus was waiting for them outside. If you looked at the back of the agenda a list of letters sent by various residents Yes to Avalon and No to Avalon. Counted the NO TO AVALON TOTALED 17 AND THE YES ONLY 4. Incredible - strong support!
PS - congratulations Kim D'Ambrosio on your 3 year appointment to some whatever important Board The Town of Huntington appointed you to.

Kim I applaud you for your public service, no one can take that away from you. With regards to the housing shortfall for younger people and seniors; just a few years ago I was be-boping around to various locations in and around Huntington. (East Northport, Huntington Village and SH). I moved to not only get a better living arrangement but to also bank some cash so that one day I could afford to buy a house. Some of the places where nice others not so much, but through it all I was focused on money. I wouldn’t spend 1800 or above on rent to live in a place like Avalon (I don’t care what kind of pool or amenities) because I knew I wouldn’t be able to achieve my goal. Now if I recall you stated you have a mortgage so you too are a property owner and I applaud you for discipline in achieving that. I however don’t see how college age kids would be able to afford these "affordable" rentals. I on the other hand could see the argument that seniors might want to downsize from a full house later on in life, but to that I ask are they going to give up there privacy and yards to pay just as much on a rental? I think if I was going to downsize I would try to go somewhere peaceful and relaxing, not next to a train station that happens to be one of the busiest on the island . I worry that this development wont be able to attract the target demographic its looking for and then what will happen to this development? That’s my biggest concern with the development.

Kim and Johnny P good points. Avalon has done their market research and would not be investing in an area that could go belly flop...JohnnyP why don't you meet with Chris Capece and ask that question...rather then just posting here set a time to meet and have a conversation. I'll set it for you if you like.

Well I will say this: The majority DOES NOT want this. Remind the board that their political careers will be over if they decide to let it roll. There are more than enough people to turn out for a vote during elections to remove these people. Threaten their jobs and lifestyles by voting them out. If they votes are bought out by AV, remind them that the money they received will run out in time and they will have no where to go. Turn this into a dirty political campaign. One that is ACTUALLY WORTH the community.

Another reason to leave Huntington...

Right on.