The Crest Group has eyes on building a mixed-use development project on nearly 53 acres of woodland in North Bellport.

The "Crest Plaza" project aims to create a mix of rental housing, retail space, a gym and an assisted living facility. It would be located just north of Sunrise Highway and east of Station Road.

Neighbors whose properties border proposed development say they're concerned about losing woodland and increasing traffic in the area. They also worry about the population of threatened or endangered species in the area.

Crest Group officials say they're redesigning intersections and will be leaving a 150-foot wooded buffer between the development and neighbors' homes. They say those neighbors won't even be able to see the development from their homes.

The Crest Group also says its project will generate a significant amount of tax revenue annually for the local school district.

Neighbors say final information about the project has been hard to find.

The developer is petitioning the Town of Brookhaven on a zoning change to allow the project to move forward. A vote on that is not expected until at least the spring.