Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset hosted a meeting in January to discuss the proposed development of approximately 42 acres on Convent Road in Syosset by the Sisters of Mercy. The proposal includes plans to develop Mercy Pines on approximately 18 acres and another 23 acres would be developed as single family homes.

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

According to Maureen Anderson, from New Life Management and Development, the project is currently "on hold."

"We have determined not to move ahead with the Mercy Pines project, despite everyone's best efforts," said Sister Mary Waters. "It is not the right time for us right now and we are going to call a halt to it at the moment. It didn't seem likely that we were going to get approval for the plan. It just didn't seem that we could keep moving ahead with it financially."

-Denise D'Alessandro