More than 20 years ago, a nine-lot subdivision called Island Woods was approved along East Third Avenue in Bay Shore.
One house was built — but shoddy work turned it into a nightmare for the homeowner. Other structures went up, never finished, and the developers went bankrupt.
The gated-off land sat for decades with “zombie homes” towering over weeds and neighbors’ yards, until Islip Town knocked down all but one in 2021.
Now, a new proposal is on the table.
On Wednesday, L&P Bay Shore LLC pitched the town Planning Board on building 16 semi-detached single-family homes on the nearly 3-acre site. Four would be sold through affordable housing programs; the rest at market rate.
The plan needs a zoning change from Residence B to Residence CA to allow the higher density — a sticking point for neighbors who turned out in force for a public hearing.
The developers estimate two to four people per home.
“That’s too many [people] to move onto our block,” said Melanie Swann, of East Third Avenue. “There have been other CA-zoned properties, and every time we zone for more, the neighborhood gets busier and louder, more cars speed down the block. We have schools … It’s just too much to ask for the people who moved into this neighborhood.”
Cheryl Rabb, who’s lived there since 1966, said traffic is already dangerous.
“If you put this planned community there, it’s going to result in more accidents than already happen … there’s no traffic light there,” Rabb said. “Ms. Swann [the prior speaker] did not mention that her house has been hit by a car that ran the stop sign. Her fence has been struck multiple times by cars that drive incredibly fast through an area that is already too populated.
“And if you rezone this area, how many other areas are going to have to be rezoned to create more housing?”
Others complained about a newly relocated Suffolk Transit bus stop in the neighborhood.
“So now we have people waiting at the corner for the bus to come at all hours of the day and evening,” Rabb said.
Some also feared the homes would be rented out despite the intent to sell. Planning Board members said they could consider property covenants to require owner-occupancy.
Urban Kinslow, who’s had buses block his driveway, called the plan “a nightmare.”
“To do this would be, forget it, it’s terrible. Don’t do it. It’s not good for the neighborhood.”
Developer’s case
Attorney J.R. DiCioccio, representing L&P Bay Shore LLC, said the new subdivision would follow the footprint of eight homes approved in 2003 — only this time, each would hold two units.
He argued the project fits with the neighborhood, which already has other semi-detached homes, CA zoning, and even a trailer park.
“They’ll all be ownership units, not rentals, and each homeowner will have their own property,” he said, adding the development “will help provide a diverse housing stock,” especially with four affordable units.
Board reaction
Planning Board Chairman Edward Friedland said the density looked tight.
“To me it looks like we’re trying to squeeze a lot in there,” he said. “Obviously, we all want to see something developed; we want the property cleaned up. But we want to make sure it works not just for the developer and their pocket, but also for the community.”
Vice Chairman Kevin Brown said residents weren’t against building — just the scale.
“What I did hear is [the residents] think it’s too dense,” he said. “I would just like to hear some other ideas as far as the density as we move forward.”
DiCioccio said the plan had been in the works for two years with planning staff.
“This is the plan that we believe can be successful for the developer as well as comport with the nature and character of the neighborhood,” he said. “But I understand your comment and we certainly will take a look.”
The board closed the hearing and will decide later.
Top: The fenced-off entrance to the long-neglected East Third Avenue property, which nature has reclaimed. (Credit: Mike White/GLI)
