AvalonBay gets ready for Phase II approval

AvalonBay received guidelines — but not official approval.

The Planning Board gave AvalonBay Phase II, the planned 165-unit building at 80 N. Centre Avenue, a series of conditions but not final approval at its May 26 meeting. The project will be revisited in a public work session on June 3 at 7 p.m. It is across the street from the existing 349-unit complex on Banks Avenue.

The Planning Board’s main concern was traffic, especially from morning commuters. In October, the Board of Zoning Appeals said Phase II would not have a significant environmental impact — with an exception for the intersection at Sunrise Highway and North Centre Avenue. The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) controls the signal at that corner, as well as the other signals on Sunrise Highway.

“In the traffic study it was pointed out at peak hours in the morning in the left-bound turning lane would have 1.2 additional cars,” said Michael Faltischek, the attorney for AvalonBay. “And that was on the assumption there were going to be 177 units.” The zoning board reduced the units to 165 since the study was completed, he added, so that impact would be lessened.

AvalonBay had asked DOT what, if anything, should be done to lessen the impact on traffic. “In response to our inquiry, they produced a letter dated Dec. 23 which purportedly was sent to our engineers and the village,” said Faltischek. He said their team had received the letter the Thursday before the this meeting. The village did not get the letter.

The letter implies that the DOT would not change the traffic light. The Planning Board still asked that AvalonBay ask the DOT for a formal, definitive opinion. The group also asked that AvalonBay seek approval for installing a crosswalk from the building’s entrance over North Centre Avenue.