NOTE: As with most Internet polls, this poll is not balanced against a weighted sample. There is no statistical accuracy relating to any specific demographic of poll takers. Anyone can take this poll and the Northender collects no data about the respondents.
In another overwhelming and clear expression against AvalonBay, more than 93% of the votes recently cast by members of the Oyster Bay Civic Association OPPOSED Avalon's new proposal, as presented by Avalon representatives at the May Civic meeting (150 units on the 5-acre former Hallock Chevrolet site- nearly double the applicable Town maximum, with new zoning legislation that would in fact set an irreversible precedent for the entire Town of Oyster Bay). This comes on the heels of the equally clear opposition voiced by the Oyster Bay Historical Society in June. In its ongoing attempts to construct an unprecedented super-high-density rental complex, Avalon has now been looming over this community for more than 3 years.
Several months ago, Matt Whalen (vice president of Avalon's Long Island development) publicly announced that Avalon would not submit a new application to the Town Board unless it had the support of the community. Since that time, and despite Avalon's persistent efforts to garner local support, the community's response has been consistently and overwhelmingly against the project, with the list of community organizations opposed to the project continuing to grow.
At a recent meeting of the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce, Avalon's public relations representative ignored the substantial issues of concern to area residents and instead made representations to the Chamber that would target alleged business improvement only. In seeking to disregard the concerns of area residents, it appears that Avalon may be engaging in a calculated effort to pit the interests of the business community against those who call Oyster Bay-East Norwich and the surrounding areas home.
The recent express opposition by the Oyster Bay Civic Association and Oyster Bay Historical Society, when combined with the unwavering opposition of other area groups such as the East Norwich Civic Association and Friends of the Bay, the countless numbers of residents from Oyster Bay-East Norwich and the Villages of Upper Brookville, Bayville, Muttontown, Oyster Bay Cove, Mill Neck, Cove Neck, and Centre Island show a clear consensus against this project (again). While the residents of these communities have in fact expressed a similarly clear and overwhelming willingness to ready the forces once more, Mr. Whalen should accept the fact (again) that Oyster Bay-East Norwich and the surrounding communities will not support Avalon, keep his word, and move on. Anything less will revive the very same passion and energy as was seen last year, ultimately leading (again) to a bitter, costly, and time-consuming battle for all.
Matthew T. Meng, President East Norwich Civic Association
