Whisper Raises Shouts: Traffic, Flooding Issues for Route 25A Senior Housing

Smithtown residents are sharply divided over a proposal to build a senior housing complex on Route 25A.

More than 50 residents and business owners clashed Tuesday night over St. Johnland Development Group's proposal to build Whisper Landing, a 110-unit assisted living facility, on the corner of River Heights Road and Route 25A in Smithtown.

During the marathon two-hour debate, issues brought out, included ones related to the proposed site itself, the environment, and traffic.    

"There’s no doubt that assisted living facilities are useful, that’s not in question here. It’s a matter of whether or not it’s appropriate for that location," said Kristie Golden, a Smithtown resident, who works as a doctor and hospital administrator.

Glenn Gruder, of Smithtown, pointed out that most area's large complexes, including St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center and Willow Lake, are on the opposite side of 25A, separated from residential areas.

Smithtown resident Bill Kearney, a homeowner of Route 25A, who suggested the King Park Psychiatric Center might be better location for the project, said he fears the environmental impact of the proposed senior housing project. He also asked why the developers not being required to hook into the Kings Park sewage treatment plant.

“Every time it rains and every time the snow melts, we deal with flooding, erosion and dirt coming down from the massive hills they want to cut into. This is a disaster waiting to happen,” Kearney said.  

David Flynn, Smithtown's assistant planning director, asked developers to add rain gardens to its landscaping to catch and absorb more stormwater runoff, but residents want it taken one step further - They want the town to require a full environmental impact study of the project.

But it's the daily traffic jams and accident rate, residents say, that they fear would be exacerbated if Whisper Landing were built.

Jan Vanderbann, a homeowner off River Heights Road and Route 25A, said he's begged state and local elected officials for years to improve the intersection after aiding in many car accidents.

Traffic Expert Thomas Mazzola, of BHB Engineering, however, pointed out that the facility's driveway will be located opposite the hospital, allowing said controlled access from Route 25A.

Aware of many of the issues, Richard Shreyer, a Nesconset-based attorney for St. Johnland Development, said St. Johnland has made significant changes to the project, including reducing the height of the proposed buildings to 35 feet and offering a covenant to never develop a portion of the environmentally sensitive land.

"They have addressed our concerns about it being in our backyard, the slopes they’re cutting out, we are very satisfied with what is going on," Diane Carroll, a Lower Road homeowner said.

Mark Mancini, president of Smithtown Greater Chamber of Commerce, said the senior housing proposal also has support as he believes it’s important to help improve the town's tax base.

Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals has reserved its decision on the Whisper Landing proposal until a later date. 

Patch wants to know: What do you think of the proposal? Comment below.