Panel OKs development at historic site

The controversial development of the old Brooklyn Water Works site will move forward now that the Freeport Landmarks Preservation Commission cast a tie vote Tuesday night.

The board's 4-4 decision means the building application by Huntington developer Gary Melius was approved by default because the board failed to get a majority vote. The application will now have to be reviewed by the village planning board, officials said.

Melius, who owns Oheka Castle in Huntington, has a plan to construct a six-story building at the historic site with 121 apartments and ground-level parking for 200 cars at 25-01 Brookside Ave., next to the Long Island Rail Road. The original building was granted village landmark status in 1986 and demolished for safety reasons last summer.

"In my opinion, the proposed structure meets the requirement set forth," said Brian Merlis, a member of the board, who voted to approve the application.

Residents had expressed concerns about the building's appearance and size, its proximity to the Brookside nature preserve and the Milburn Stream, and its affects on the environment and traffic.

"I think the decision is very disappointing," said Lloyd Abrahams, 65, who has lived in Freeport for 38 years. "I think they took the ball and passed it off. I think it will be a tragedy if that monstrosity will get to be built."

The commission reviewed the plan's environmental impact study with attorney Thomas Pantelis of Mineola, who was recently appointed commission counsel on the case. Before the meeting, Pantelis advised the board that a review of potential environmental impacts was not required to make a decision on the application.

The village's planning board will have until Oct. 12 to appoint a lead agency to review the application, said village attorney Howard Colton.