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Things are still moving forward within the Town of Islip with respect to transforming a bowling alley in East Islip, which has been around for nearly 65 years, into a senior living community.
According to a representative for Benchmark East Islip Senior Living Community, which is looking to house 90 seniors at the 4.3-acre property at East Main Street and Greenwood Road, the next step is to complete a site plan.
With that, the applicant, known as BSL East Islip LLC, heads to the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals with hopes for approvals.
The town in January approved a zone change that allowed the application to move forward.
And here is a rendering of the proposed community, courtesy of Benchmark:
Yet the plans have not moved forward without controversy.
Along with community opposition in Town Hall, there’s still an active petition circulating on change.org calling on residents to Protect the East Islip Lanes Location.
“We as taxpayers and local Islip Town residents were dismayed to learn we’re losing our beloved East Islip bowling alley to potentially be replaced by an assisted living facility,” writes Krissy Dworkin, who started the petition on Feb. 4, 2022.
She says the two-story building “offers no benefit to our community and only adds noise, lighting, dumpster servicing, and traffic to our already crowded Main Street.”
So far the online petition has garnered 1,740 signatures with a goal of 2,500. The entire hamlet has a population of about 13,600, according to DATA USA.
East Islip chamber officials have also complained that the planned costs per unit, reportedly expected to range between $8,000 and $10,000 per month, are out of reach for local residents.
According to the Benchmark East Islip website, the Benchmark brand operates more than 65 communities, housing over 5,000 seniors in seven states, including Whisper Woods of Smithtown and Orchard Estate of Woodbury.
“Our planned community in East Islip – to be located at 117 East Main Street – will be an important resource to area seniors and families seeking our high-quality services close to their families,” the website reads.
No date has been set for a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing.
Top: East Islip Lanes has reportedly been operation at 117 E. Main St. since 1960. (Credit: Michael White/GLI)
