Politics & Government

Residents Want Involvement in Development of Rocky Point Drive-In

Formal announcement of litigation won by the Town of Brookhaven followed by community members call for more involvement in decision-making process.

After the Town of Brookhaven formally announced its litigation victory to retain recreational zoning at the Rocky Point Drive-In site at a press conference Tuesday, the question that lingered was; now what?

With the victory by the Town, the site can . This decision also came on the heels of the site being removed as a . Now with recreational zoning intact, residents looked ahead at what comes next in the development of the 18 acres located along 25a and stressed the importance of community involvement in the decision making.

"Supervisor [Mark] Lesko said at the podium there will be 'long and vibrant discussion of future proposals for the use of this property', which I hope means the community will be involved in any proposals that will be forthcoming," said James Weber, of Rocky Point "I’d like to see this 18 acres benefit the community, as the community as a whole would see fit."

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Richard Brons, another Rocky Point resident, called for a community vote regarding any possible plans with the site.

"Anything that involves Rocky Point should be voted on by the people, it shouldn’t be just voted on by the town," Brons said. "We as individuals need to exert our constitutionally given rights. We need to be made aware, question and ask ‘what is the whole picture, what are the ramifications?’

Find out what's happening in Miller Place-Rocky Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Supervisor Lesko and Councilwoman Jane Bonner spoke at Tuesday's press conference and said that they want to make sure the property is developed into something that residents want. The two also took some time to answer residents' questions after the press conference.

"Anything that happens at this site, and believe me we hope something happens that's productive for the community, will reflect the community sentiments," Lesko said.

Brons pointed to the fact that Rocky Point is very blue collar, and since people are so busy, decisions like this should be clearly laid out in front of them.

"Where’s the time?," Brons asked. "People need to know ‘this is your choice, this is what’s happening.’ There needs to be a public awareness. Once people realize they do have power in their community maybe we’ll get more interest."


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