Back in July, the developers for the Greybarn site at the former Mediterranean Manor, located at 303 East Main Street in East Patchogue, sought site-plan approval for the redevelopment of 3.42 acres of land. Both the Town of Brookhaven planning board and zoning board have since approved the site plan.

The plan includes demolition of all existing structures, including the former catering hall, barber shop and photo studio, as well as several vacated and boarded surrounding buildings. The neighboring building to the east, including Miller’s Mint and the old antique mall, will remain, with the construction of a three-story, 91-unit (mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom) multi-family rental apartment building complex, which includes associated parking, a swimming pool and outdoor amenity area, dog park, landscaping, and drainage. 

According to the developer Greg Rechler, of Rechler Equity Partners LLC, the development will conform with the neighborhood while providing a much-needed revitalization as a luxury apartment complex. The site, he said, will include all the amenities Long Islanders are accustomed to, including washers, dryers, and additional community kitchens, an outdoor pool, and billiard and screening rooms. Rechler also noted the similarities with Amityville Greybarn, which has a 99 percent occupancy rate and an 80 percent resident retention rate compared to the market average of 55.

“Rechler Equity Partners is excited to begin work on Greybarn Patchogue. This location will serve as the first major redevelopment project in East Patchogue and build on the economic development success of Patchogue Village,” said the developers.

East Patchogue resident Joseph Lucas, who was one of two speakers during the July public hearing, noted concern over traffic in the area and specifically referenced plans for three separate apartment complexes in the East Main Street area between Washington Avenue and Route 112. He also questioned if a traffic study was done, referencing his inability to acquire one despite multiple requests to both the town and county. 

A traffic study, according to Rechler Equity, has been conducted by a consultant hired by the company and is still under review by the county. However, as of print, this publication has been unable to obtain said traffic study. Additionally, neither councilman Neil Foley or Suffolk County Legis. Dominick Thorne have seen the study. According to Thorne, Department of Public Works commissioner Joe Brown confirmed the study had not yet been submitted; however, because demolition has not yet been done, there is plenty of time to conduct the study. Additionally, Lucas said during the planning board meeting he was told the county DPW had approved the traffic plan and that the town wasn’t required to do the traffic study.

According to the Town of Brookhaven, the road is a state highway, and as per their files, the site requires Suffolk County DPW approval for signalization. However, contrastingly, according to an email in an effort to obtain a document through a Freedom of Information request, provided by Lucas, the county DPW suggests traffic studies in question are under the jurisdiction of the Town of Brookhaven. As per James O’Connell, local law compliance coordinator of the SCDPW, SCDPW doesn’t have the authority to approve these traffic studies. He then suggested that Lucas contact the town’s law department.

According to Rechler Equity, a traffic study for the project was submitted to the SCDPW as part of the application process. Currently, they are filing an application for a building permit as the next step of the process.