Against All Odds: Port Jeff May Be Getting New Housing Despite Opposition

New, improved, beautiful homes and developments welcoming new inhabitants and residents to Long Island, improving its accessibility and appearance are always a welcome site. Or are they? In fact, the uber-urbanization may be too much for many, as is the case with some Port Jefferson residents. In fact, these folks recently filed a new lawsuit against the village’s planning board in an effort to block the construction of a residential subdivision they feel may pose a potential environmental threat to inhabitants and the community.

The leader of the group filing the law suit suggest that the terms and conditions of construction will alter the site plan so dramatically and extensively that it will give rise to a whole new set of issues and problems which the public has not foreseen.

In fact, this group is so opposed to the project that this is the second time they filed the suit arguing, among other things, failure to disclose the site’s potential drainage problems and the risks it will impose due to its proximity to a crest of polluted groundwater resulting from the nearby Lawrence Aviation property.

However, planning board officials suggest that all concerns have been looked into and addressed by the board that has been effective in redesigning the project to meet these needs.

And, even the village engineer, responsible for approving such projects, and not in accordance to all the concerns presented by the opposition group, did note that he “does” share their concern for the new facility’s closeness to the polluted Lawrence Aviation Property, and would need more reassurance for federal and state environmental officials that the project is safe. Then, and only then, will he approve it.

Others however “argue” that the project does NOT need federal or state approval.

Referred to as the Village Vistas, the project proposed a 43-unit residential development that would replace a wooded 18-acre farm bordering Cedar Hill Cemetery, taking up one of the largest space tracts still left in the Village.

However, residents note they would prefer that the site be instead converted into a park, despite officials suggesting their hands are tied, especially since the parcel is zoned for the use that the builder/owner wants.