Local Lawmaker Urges Residents to Guard Against Densification in Port Jefferson Station

Residents of Port Jefferson Station face a decision on how much of their remaining open land they are willing to sacrifice for new development. Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) told the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association on Tuesday, Oct. 27, that the town must act now to prevent unchecked growth from altering the community's character.

Englebright pointed to a proposed joint purchase by the town and county of approximately 3.9 acres along Route 112. The site, formerly a nursery, is valued at $1.65 million. While the price has been agreed upon, the transaction has not closed because environmental cleanup is still required. Englebright described the land as a potential site for a public green space or botanical garden.

The legislator linked this effort to his work on the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway, a trail that began in the 1980s. He recalled finding nearly three miles of state-owned land that had been set aside for a highway bypass but never built. With funding that included a $5 million federal grant, he helped transform the corridor into a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists. Englebright argued that this permanent green space, protected by state law, defines the local quality of life.

He warned that new infrastructure could accelerate densification. A proposed planning study for the Route 112 corridor could spur further growth, aided by planned sewer infrastructure. Englebright cautioned that a sewer line should not be treated as a license for unlimited development. He stated that he has asked county planner Sarah Lansdale to consider how the county can help coordinate the study, a request that remains pending.

The meeting also addressed the Long Island Rail Road electrification plan. A potential rail yard near the former Lawrence Aviation Industries property in Port Jefferson Station has raised concerns among neighbors. Englebright noted that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has not provided sufficient detail on how the facility would affect nearby homes or woodland. He urged residents to remain skeptical until concrete plans are released.

In a separate matter, Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) announced plans to restore the name of Chief Jack Jantzen Memorial Park to the property currently known as School Street Park. The park, located behind JFK Middle School, was renamed in the early 1990s to honor Jantzen, a Suffolk County police officer killed in the line of duty in 1991. The town board is expected to issue a proclamation on Nov. 19, with a rededication ceremony possibly following in spring 2027.

Civic association President Ira Costell also raised the issue of the Jefferson Plaza construction site. He reported speaking with developer Valentin Staller about installing fencing and printed screening to improve the view during the demolition and construction phases.