SafStor, a Florida-based self-storage developer, is planning to build a new facility under its LifeStorage brand on the property at 384 Mark Tree Road in East Setauket but residents in the area have expressed concerns.
The storage facility would replace a World Health Gym on the 9.5-acre site but preserve the existing tennis courts and swimming pool.
The plan is to demolish the current World Gym building and replace it with a 100,000-square-foot, two story self-storage building on the southern side of the property. The building will be 29’ 4” in height and contain 700 units, most of which will be what a representative of the company described as 3 foot by 5 foot storage locker-type compartments.
On the northern part of the property, the developer plans to keep the existing tennis courts, including those under an athletic bubble structure already on the property, which will stay in place. The developer will build new courts to go under a new tent-like structure with an office attached. The plan is to continue the operation of the tennis club there.
Photo: Town of Brookhaven.
Timothy Shea, from the law office of Certilman Balin, represented the developer at a Brookhaven Town Planning Board meeting on March 13th where he reviewed updated plans.
Shea said the site on the east side of Mark Tree Road, north of Route 347 is zoned industrial.
He said that in response to feedback from the Three Village Civic Association, the developers reduced the height of the building from three stories to two. They also changed the colors of the facade from bright blue to an earth tone and brick.
The fully climate controlled building will operate from 9am-8pm but access for customers will be from 7am-10pm with a secure keycard. They also plan to install security cameras on the site. Construction will take between 12 to 18 months to complete. He said that there is no asbestos in the existing facility that they plan to tear down, a response to a public query concerned about the age of the structure and likelihood of it containing the carcinogen.
Drainage for the entire site will be upgraded as well, another concern for residents.
During the meeting, there was vocal opposition from residents surrounding the site who had concerns about an increase in traffic on the road and light pollution on the new building
“Are the lights going to be directly towards my property?” asked Janette Romano who lives behind the new project on Varsity Boulevard. “Are there going to be lights on and will they be shining in my backyard?”
In response, Shea said that the property will have dark sky compliant lighting that is shielded and will be turned off after the facility closes.
“Any addition on that road is a mistake,” said Sal Laduca, who objected to a residential community being developed with commercial buildings. Laduca said the existing health club fits in the neighborhood but the storage facility does not.
Shea said that the developer estimates that at peak hours, about eight cars will come and go to the property.
Residents also mentioned that there are two storage facilities already in the area.
The Lock Up Self Storage is at 380 Mark Tree Road on the corner of Route 347, a property that is adjacent to the newly proposed development site. Storage Post Self Storage, at 171 North Belle Mead Road, is about a mile and a half away from the site.
Residents want the planning board to reject the application. The board kept the application open to look at it further and adjourned until April 10th.
