Proposed Subdivision and Demolition at 37 Christian Avenue
Town of Brookhaven
Summary
A Setauket family wants to tear down the circa-1870 home where community figure Lucy Hart Keyes lived and build three houses on three small lots. Neighbors, descendants, the Bethel AME pastor, civic groups, and the town's own Historic District Advisory Committee all urged denial, saying it would gut the town's only African American and Indigenous historic district. The board held the case to November 4 for the state's historic-preservation comment.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 1
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 21, 2026.
Impact analysis
Demolition and three new homes would likely raise nearby property values — and property taxes — while residents fear displacement of the descendant community.
The applicant/developer, if ultimately approved; preservation advocates benefit from the delay and state review.
Residents and descendants say demolition would erase the historic fabric of the only African American and Indigenous historic district in the town.
Mentions & discussions (1)
Related development
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