As a builder, I believe that the Avalon Bay project on Pine Hollow Road, Oyster Bay is grossly out of line with current zoning laws and does not fit in with the character of the community. Why can't Avalon Bay make a proposal that fits within the current scope of the zoning laws that the Town already established through great dialog over the years with builders and the community?

I sense that many in the community feel similarly or are not sure what opinion to make because the alternative to Avalon Bay is unknown. Very little attention has been brought to the area south of the Bahnik Boys n' Girls Club until Avalon Bay made their proposal several years ago. The focus of the Oyster Bay Hamlet Plan adopted in 2002 and other rejuvenation efforts have been on areas north of the Lexington Avenue and Berry Hill Road intersection. Now that there is a focus on the southern area of town, we need to come together to find a solution to improving it. It is a reality that something will be built and operate at the Avalon Bay site at some point; so, we need to let developers, builders, and officials know what we will support. Then, perhaps we can all move forward and focus energy on improving the rest of our great community.

While we stand up to Avalon Bay's ridiculous proposal, we must also begin the dialog about the future of the site. I propose that the site be developed as the future museum on President Theodore Roosevelt. There is enough room to build a museum, have parking on-site, and to create an area for jitneys to maneuver. A museum generally is open during regular daytime hours, would be a more quiet neighbor than a retail establishment or an apartment complex with 24/7 activity, and tours could be connected to support the downtown establishments during regular business hours like the railroad museum is already doing.
One side of Town is anchored by Sagamore Hill, another by the Oyster Bay Railroad museum highlighting TR's use of the Oyster Bay line, and closer to the middle of town are both the Bahnik Boys n' Girls Club and the grand TR statue. We should spruce up the south side of town by anchoring it with a TR museum not an over sized apartment complex.

I believe we can get the community, Avalon Bay, the Town of Oyster Bay, the Theodore Roosevelt Association, Charles Wang, and other philanthropists interested in developing the site into something sustainable that fits in. Avalon Bay touts that they care so much about community character, then they should prove it by developing something within the scope of the law or help develop the property as something sustainable like a TR museum.

Oyster Bay was TR's home, let's focus on this. If you want to help me with this concept you can call me at 922-8145.

Sincerely,

Greg Van Dyke
Van Dyke Building & Construction Management