by Carolyn James

Artist's rendering of proposed Tanger Retail Outlet in Deer Park.

Deer Park residents, and developers looking to build a 92,000 square foot retail outlet center in that community agree on two things. First, the center, if built, will generate jobs and refuel the local economy, pumping millions of dollars into the town, the fire department and local schools. Second, the plan will also generate traffic and congestion in an area already struggling with those issues.

"If it was not for the traffic issue, everyone would be in support of this project," said attorney Steven Kretz of Kretz and Garabrant in Lindenhurst ,who represents the developers, Deer Park Enterprises, LLC.

His comments came before a Planning Board hearing held at Babylon Town Hall Monday, March 14 attended by approximately 400 people who filled the board room and spilled out into the hallway where the developers had put up a sound and video system for the meeting in anticipation of the crowd.

"Development is a good thing and economic development is important for Long Island and our community, but you have to be careful about where you are putting it," said Burt Bragin of Dix Hills who lives near the proposed site, 81 acres on Grand Boulevard, off of Commack Road which currently houses AIL. "There is already a gigantic amount of traffic funneling into this area and at times it is completely filled up."

Bragin, like many other residents who spoke at the meeting pointed out that the only major highway that the tractor trailers delivering to the site can use is the Long Island Expressway, and that exit on Commack Road is one of the busiest on Long Island. Nearby Sagtikos Parkway prohibits commercial traffic and Commack Road is only a two-lane road from Route 231 to Grand Boulevard.

Michael Oddo, who represented the Deer Park Civic Association and Quality of Life Committee, said his organizations also agree the proposal is good, but that the developer has to alter the traffic pattern, eliminating entrances from Commack Road. "It can be done and it will probably be more expensive but it’s the only way this plan will work," said Oddo who is president of the Deer Park School District. The District has not taken an official position on the plan but has raised concern about traffic.

Studies by the developers experts, as well as by town experts, indicate that the plan would result in less traffic during the peak hours than if the land was developed as industrial. But like the Planning Board Chairwoman, Patricia McMahon, who said the Planning Board needed to see what the impact would be during the holiday season, the town’s experts agreed that is an issue that must be addressed in the environmental impact statement.

"I have not seen data presented to me for traffic during the holidays and that is something that needs to be considered," McMahon told the developer.

In addition, McMahon said the scope of the project, which would not only include the retail stores and restaurants but also a movie theater and a BJ’s Wholesale store seems overly ambitious. "It appears that you are asking for a lot," she said, which drew applause from the crowd.

At the meeting concerns about traffic were also raised by representatives of the towns of Huntington and Islip.

The site is adjacent to another retail center, which includes a supermarket, a Home Depot and a restaurant, adding to concerns by residents and town planners about congestion in the area.

Kretz responded that while the issue may raise a concern, the reality is that both the developers and town’s traffic experts have shown that the number of vehicles coming and going to the site would actually be less during the morning and late afternoon rush hours than if the land were developed under its current industrial zoning.

The plan did get support from union employees who said it would provide work, tax money and jobs for many in the area.

"Anything you put in there is going to generate traffic," said Kenneth Teapl.

"If they start to use the entire building that is there now, traffic is going to be there anyway," agreed Joe Terusa.

"This is going to create work and lower taxes; it’s a good thing," said Mark Staino.

For their part, the developers are trying to be good neighbors, said Kretz. They have agreed to maintain the current assessment on the property throughout the construction process, which would mean local entities such as the school, library and fire district would not see tax revenues reduced. The plan is to work through the Town of Babylon Industrial Development Agency and make payments in lieu of taxes. Once the development is completed, the owners project that millions of additional dollars will go into those districts, helping to relieve the local tax burden.

"This agreement is something that I have never seen a developer do," said Kretz. "It is very generous and indicates the level of concern and cooperation the principals of this project have to the community."

In addition, the project calls for putting in a first-aid center that would address minor injuries which would help reduce the number of rescue calls to the site; extensive landscaping and flower gardens are also planned.

"It all sounds great and the flowers and trees are wonderful, said Bragin. "But the question is how are you going to get there to see them."