Smithtown · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Smithtown public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Country Pointe Estates Condominium Development
A proposed 288-unit condominium project in Kings Park is up for a planning board recommendation, which will shape future housing density and local infrastructure considerations.
Commercial Hotel Expansion on Vanderbilt Motor Parkway
A 122-room, four-story hotel with a food retail drive-through is proposed at the former Gasho restaurant site in Hauppauge. It needs a stack of variances and a town board special permit; the zoning board held off pending county review.
Cox & Sons Industrial Landfill Remediation and Trucking Station Proposal
A proposed trucking station on Old Northport Road in Kings Park has residents furious about truck traffic past schools, air quality, noise and road damage on Town Line Road. The hearing was adjourned to December 15 without a presentation, and neighbors demanded accountability over how the Suffolk County Land Bank property drifted from its original RFP intent.
Industrial Manufacturing and Outdoor Storage Operations at Pelkowski Precast
Pelkowski Precast wants to expand its Kings Park concrete operation with outdoor storage, tall walls and reduced setbacks. The case was adjourned to December 15 after the applicant's attorney missed the meeting.
Beechwood Condominium Development Proposal
Beechwood Smithtown LLC is proposing a large 288-unit condominium community in Kings Park. The project requires special consideration because it involves building on and altering steep, environmentally sensitive slopes.
Industrial Storage and Trucking Facility Modifications
Residents of Tulipwood Drive and surrounding neighborhoods strongly opposed a trucking station operating at 57 Mall Drive in Commack, citing severe noise, diesel and refrigeration hums starting at 3 a.m., chemical odors, and buffer encroachments.
Branchinelli's Site Plan & Septic Upgrade
Branchinelli's is expanding its parking lot and upgrading its septic system by filling in an old recharge basin. The changes aim to improve traffic flow and solve under-capacity septic issues at the Route 111 location.
Gyrodyne LLC Preliminary Approval Extension
Gyrodyne LLC is asking for a six-month extension on their conditional preliminary approval in St. James, giving them more time to keep the project moving without starting over.
Spark Car Wash Development in Lake Grove
A new car wash facility was approved on Middle Country Road with environmental restrictions to protect endangered bat habitats during construction.
Temporary Family Living Quarters Special Exception
A family sought approval to convert a garage into temporary living quarters for an aging parent, highlighting multigenerational housing needs in the town.
Industrial Park Parking and Landscape Island Standards
Neighbors expressed concerns about noise and lighting from industrial properties in Commack. The Board required the applicant to address lighting and planting buffers.
Raising Cane's Signage and Visual Impact
Residents and town planners pushed back against Raising Cane's request for oversized and multiple wall signs, arguing it creates commercial clutter and resembles a billboard. The board ultimately denied the sign variances.
Foxwood Estates Subdivision Infrastructure Completion
The developer of Foxwood Estates needed more time to finish installing street lights, signs, and trees in the nearly complete four-lot subdivision.
Commercial Redevelopment and Signage in Commack
Commercial properties like Bolla EM Realty and Zwanger Pesiri Radiology requested multiple sign variances for wall sign heights, quantities, and canopy displays along major thoroughfares like Jericho Turnpike and Smithtown Bypass.
Subdivision and Bond Time Extensions
The Planning Board approved time extensions for four ongoing subdivision projects across St. James, Fort Salonga, and Nesconset. These extensions give developers extra time to coordinate with county health and sewer agencies or complete administrative steps for bond releases.
Bolla EM Realty Station Modernization
Bolla EM Realty is revamping its Jericho Turnpike station in Commack by moving gas pumps closer to the road, expanding the store, and upgrading signs. Planning staff backed the project, noting it improves site flow and traffic safety.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Parking Expansion & Retaining Wall
Councilwoman Inzerillo proposed renaming the intersection near the MSF entrance at Old Commac Road and Old Northport Road to honor the late Mr. Gorecki for his service.
Kings Park Infill Development and Subdivision Denials
Developers looking to build single-family homes on undersized lots on Acacia Road and Longfellow Drive in Kings Park were turned down. The zoning board formally denied the requests after reviewing findings of fact.
Bassen Estates Driveway Modification and Tree Preservation
A developer requested switching from a shared driveway to an individual private driveway on River Road in St. James. A neighboring resident raised strong concerns about increased traffic speeds, poor sightlines, stormwater debris, and local wildlife disruption, prompting the board to mandate specific tree protections.
T-Mobile Wireless Facility Installation
T-Mobile is adding a new wireless facility to improve local cell service. The board approved the project after confirming it won't harm the environment, with rules to keep the equipment painted and screened.
Commercial Site Plan Approvals for Mason Technologies and Insignia Steakhouse
The board approved site plans for an 89,320 square-foot headquarters building for Mason Technologies in Hauppauge and building additions including a solarium and patio modifications for Insignia Steakhouse in Smithtown.
Commercial Bar and Tavern Proposal in Kings Park
Residents living near 174 Main Street pushed back hard against plans to convert a retail building into a wine bar and tavern, raising worries about parking congestion on residential streets, trash, rodents, noise, and privacy.
Infrastructure Development
Smithtown is dropping $1.7 million on new land to finally hook Main Street up to real sewers. Say goodbye to gross, outdated septic tanks and hello to a better setup for downtown businesses.