Proposed East Farmingdale housing development draws mixed reaction from residents
Supporters say the development is needed as housing costs continue to rise across Long Island.
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A long-vacant, state-owned property in East Farmingdale could soon be redeveloped into hundreds of new housing units, including affordable homes, under a proposal now drawing mixed reactions from the community.
The 13-acre site on Conklin Street, previously used as a storage area for the Long Island Power Authority, is slated for nearly 500 residential units, with more than 100 designated as affordable, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Supporters say the development is needed as housing costs continue to rise across Long Island.
“We personally applied for affordable housing because we can’t afford it,” said Caleb Vasquez, of Farmingdale. “Everything is so expensive.”
The proposed development would be located near the Farmingdale and Pinelawn Long Island Rail Road stations and along Route 110, a location the state says is suitable for transit-oriented housing.
But some residents say they are concerned about the impact of adding hundreds of new homes to the area. Opponents worry the project could worsen traffic along Broadhollow Road and strain local schools and neighborhoods.
State plans call for a mixed-income community with apartments and townhomes, 630 parking spaces, a walking trail and environmental remediation to address possible petroleum-based contamination at the former industrial site.
The project is still in its early stages and must undergo environmental review and public hearings before any final approvals are granted.
