Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset hosted a meeting on Tuesday night at the North Ritz Club in Syosset to discuss the proposed development of approximately 42 acres on Convent Road in Syosset by the Sisters of Mercy. The meeting was an informational gathering for residents to learn about the proposal and to voice their concerns and ask questions.

The Sisters of Mercy submitted an application to the Town of Oyster Bay last year regarding property they own on Convent Road. The proposal includes plans to develop Mercy Pines on approximately 18 acres and another 23 acres would be developed as single family homes.

The entire property is currently zoned 2 acre residential. One area of the proposed development would require a change in zoning to neighborhood business, plus a special use permit. Another area would require a change of zoning to either 1/2-acre or one-acre residential for a subdivision of homes.

Mercy Pines, which will be owned and operated by the Sisters of Mercy, is a proposed retirement community that will provide life care allowing local seniors to age in place. It will be built on approximately 23 acres of land across Convent Road from the Our Lady of Mercy Academy.

Mercy Pines will offer three housing options on one campus: 180 independent living units comprised of 24 semi-attached cottages and 156 apartments; 35 assisted living apartments and 25 private skilled nursing rooms. A lifecare contract guarantees residents access to health care services at no additional cost after payment of a one-time entrance fee and ongoing monthly fees.

The entrance fee for Mercy Pines will be tied into the real estate prices in the area. Prices will range from $250,000 to $400,000. The monthly service fee, which includes utilities, will range from $1,800 - $3,600. Once the occupant passes away or moves out, 90 percent of their entrance fee will be returned to them. The money will be returned to them once someone new occupies their dwelling at Mercy Pines.

According to Maureen Anderson from New Life Management and Development, Mercy Pines would provide a unique opportunity for seniors to live independently and there are three main components to this idea. First is housing with the community housing both apartments and cottages.

The second component is hospitality. According to Anderson, there will be a myriad of services and amenities available to the seniors. "The seniors will have the time they deserve to enjoy their retirement," said Anderson.

The third component, the most important according to Anderson, is the availability of long term health care and the ability for the seniors to age in place.

In addition to the apartments and cottages, Mercy Pines will include a community center, dining room, cafe, indoor swimming pool, auditorium, library, computer room, wood working room, arts and crafts room, a pub, a beauty parlor as well as others.

There will be many amenities available to the senior living in Mercy Pines including transportation to local shopping, entertainment and medical appointments. Visiting physicians will also come in and visit the campus. There will be maintenance and a tight security system. There will also be an emergency response system and housekeeping services.

The main concern brought up by local residents at the meeting was the traffic that a 24 hour facility would create on Convent Road. According to Sister Patricia Griffith, representative of Sisters of Mercy, the staff hours are flexible and they will work around rush hour traffic times. According to a traffic study, the additional traffic that this proposal creates will require no mitigation to the current situation. That comment brought many groans from the audience.

Some residents made suggestions and Sister Pat said she would take them back to the Sisters and discuss with them. Some of those suggestions included adding an access road to Jericho Turnpike or South Woods Road rather than on Convent Road. Also reducing the size of the project was also suggested.

Dennis O'Brien, president of Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset, asked everyone to write to the Town of Oyster Bay Board expressing their opinion on this proposal. Only written remarks, as opposed to phone calls, will be included in the public record. The address is Town of Oyster Bay Town Hall, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, NY 11771.