Business & Tech

Beechwood Cites 'Misinformation, Rumors' in Hearing's Delay

Developer says it agrees public should be allowed more time to review project on Wang property.

The developer for the proposed Country Pointe at Plainview project says it is aware of widespread community concerns, including some that represent "a great deal of misinformation, outrageous rumors, and exaggerations."

The strong words come just a day after the Town of Oyster Bay, citing community concerns, postponed a public hearing on the proposal that had been scheduled for Monday night.

Beechwood POB LLC, which has submitted a formal plan to rezone and develop a mixed-used community on the former Nassau County property, issued the statement Thursday defending its "extensive" application that it submitted to the town. That proposal, called a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS,) was the document the town used to set the public hearing date, Beechwood said.

"As part of our commitment to public awareness and open communication, Beechwood has been and continues to conduct a widespread community outreach campaign," the statement said, adding it had used a "door-to-door" campaign and met with community and business leaders to explain details of the project.

"As a result of our community outreach, we have become aware that a great deal of misinformation, outrageous rumors, and exaggerations has been disseminated to the public," the statement continued, adding that after meeting with town officials, Beechwood agreed with the town's decision to offer more time for review.

There are signs that community opposition is continuing. Fliers have been distributed throughout Plainview, including at the P-OB Middle School Thursday, urging residents to sign an online petition opposing the project. The same flier said the project would bring "overcrowding" increased traffic and the loss of "travel soccer fields."

The opposition is being led, in part, by members of the Concerned Citizens of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Community, a community watchdog group that has been active in previous proposals for the 143-acre tract at Old Country and Round Swamp roads.

Additional information about Country Pointe, the DEIS, and updates on the hearing and applications can be found at their website at countrypointeplainview.com







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