Residents of Foxwood Village manufactured housing community in Calverton, NY near the eastern tip of Long Island are in despair over the loss of a heavily wooded area behind their homes being clear cut for a Costco Wholesale Club. Instead of trees lining the property, unhappy residents will see a six-foot fence and a big box store clustered with seven other businesses. Although only a portion of the land will be developed initially, the owners gained permission from the planning board to clear the entire site, as eventual plans call for six additional big box stores. As riverheadlocal informs MHProNews, John Dunleavy, Foxwood resident and Riverhead Town Councilman, noting the planning board has the final word, said, “When you see it happening, it’s a lot different than looking at drawings on paper.” Foxwood MHC residents had petitioned against the development upon its initial proposal. Peter Mastropaolo, an owner of the manufactured housing community, says the site was the home of a defense industry electronics contractor, and that there have been lingering questions about environmental contamination.
