April 2, 2018May 28, 2019

Information on Syosset Park Project

by Town of Oyster Bayin News, News
Information on Syosset Park Project

Syosset Park Project and the Environmental Review (SEQRA) Process

‘Syosset Park’ is a proposed development located on the northeast corner of the Long Island Expressway North Service Road (Miller Place) and Robbins Lane in Syosset.

Syosset Park Project and the Environmental Review (SEQRA) Process

On March 27, 2018, the Town Board, as lead agency, determined that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was adequate for the purposes of public review. On May 1, the Town hosted a public SEQRA hearing regarding the DEIS at Syosset High School, accepting input and feedback from the community regarding the DEIS. The public comment period for the DEIS was extended to provide residents with ample opportunity to read the DEIS and share their views.

Comments on the DEIS were accepted until August 31, 2018, and comments on the Independent Testing will be accepted until January 31, 2019.  An FEIS will not be submitted to the Town for consideration until the independent testing has been completed and results have been provided to the Town.  Please check this website for updates on the Independent Testing Process which will be posted as additional information is available.

Residents may comment via:

Contact: George Baptista, Jr., Town of Oyster Bay, 29 Spring Street, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Phone: (516) 677-5811, Fax: (516) 677-5730
E-mail: GBaptista@oysterbay-ny.gov

Citizens Advisory Committee

The Oyster Bay Town Board remains committed to achieving independent environmental testing at the proposed site of development in Syosset.  To accomplish such goal, an ad hoc Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) was formed and charged with utilizing the developers funds to recommend an environmental firm to test the site and analyze the results.  As the Town has publicly-disclosed, the CAC was initially selected from the 13 publicly-identified interested civic organizations listed in the Syosset Park Draft Environmental Impact Statement.  To protect the independence and impartiality of the committee from undue influence and prevent threats and harassment, individuals serving on the committee will be identified to the general public upon completion of their work.  No resident volunteer should live under the constant threat of someone showing up at their front door with a live Facebook stream. Again, this committee is comprised of volunteers serving in an advisory role and is not an elected nor appointed body under the law.

The CAC hosted their first meeting on Thursday, September 20th.  At the meeting, the CAC expanded its membership to include a community representative at-large.  The CAC will continue to meet regularly and determine the best path forward, including recommendations for the hiring of an expert in the field to guide the committee.  Additionally, the CAC will solicit testing environmental firms, recommend their retention and review their results.  The Town will continue to provide updates as the CAC moves forward with toward their goal.

To ensure residents have a voice in the process, the Town will continue to accept comments from the public until the independent testing results are finalized and citizens have had an opportunity to comprehend their findings.  Information on this project, including where the Town is in the process and the environmental process in general, is regularly updated on the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown.com/syossetpark.

CLICK FOR SYOSSET PARK CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE RESIDENT REQUEST QUESTIONNAIRE

SEQRA Documents

FAQs:

What is an FEIS?
A final EIS must consist of: the draft EIS, including any revisions or supplements to it; copies or a summary of the substantive comments received and their source (whether or not the comments were received in the context of a hearing); and the lead agency’s responses to all substantive comments. The draft EIS may be directly incorporated into the final EIS or may be incorporated by reference. The lead agency (TOB) is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the final EIS.

Is there any value in commenting on a final EIS?
Interested parties or agencies may choose to submit comments on a final EIS to clarify points made earlier, or to identify comments that have not been satisfactorily responded to in the final EIS. These comments could influence the lead agency, or other involved agencies, in making findings and taking final actions.

Is a final EIS the last step in the SEQR EIS process?
No. The final step in SEQR is the preparation of findings by the lead agency and each involved agency at the time each makes its final decision regarding the proposed action. Findings are made after the final EIS has been accepted.

What is a Findings Statement?
The findings certify that the SEQRA requirements have been met and considers the relevant environmental impacts presented in the EIS and weighs and balances them with social, economic and other essential considerations.
A positive findings statement means that the project or action is approvable after consideration of the final EIS and demonstrates that the action chosen is the one that avoids or minimizes adverse environmental impacts to the maximum extent practicable.
If the action is not approvable, a negative findings statement documenting the reasons for the denial must be prepared.

Comment below on Independent Testing.