Residents in Ronkonkoma are speaking out against a proposal that would build a sports arena in their neighborhood.

Homeowners raised concerns such as traffic, overcrowding and overdeveloping at a meeting with the developer's lead engineering firm Thursday. 

The proposed arena would be built on a 40-acre site between MacArthur Airport and the Ronkonkoma LIRR train station.  The sportsplex would seat 17,500 people and would also include a hotel, restaurants, ice rinks and offices.

Those who live in the area say they already have problems driving around and the potential area would make matters uncontrollable.

"If we can’t actually move our vehicles around now and we're tied up in traffic, what's it going to be like when all these projects come to be?" said Greg Pepe of Islip. "I feel it's going to be an actual standstill. It's going to hurt commerce. It's going to just do a devastating effect on the area."

The developer's engineering firm said the meeting was a chance for residents to provide feedback that will be incorporated in the firm's traffic studies.

Legislators are giving the developer eight months to fine-tune its proposal.