Smithtown · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Smithtown public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Residential Subdivisions in Fort Salonga and Nesconset
The board will review multiple proposals to divide vacant land into new single-family home lots, impacting local neighborhood character and housing availability.
Nesconset neighbor dispute over walls and paving
Two adjacent Nesconset applications (27 Hayes Street and 9 Jackson Street) triggered sharp opposition from neighbors alleging pavers encroach six inches onto their property, stormwater runoff killed their landscaping, and an 18-foot pavilion destroyed their privacy. The board can only make compliance a condition — it doesn't settle property-line disputes.
Mooring Fees
Smithtown is shaking up its boat mooring fees, which means anyone keeping a vessel on the water needs to pay attention. Your upcoming boating costs might be going up as the town refreshes its pricing structure.
Building Construction and Fire Prevention Code Updates
The town considered code amendments addressing LPG system pressure testing fees and inspection protocols between building and fire departments. Local residents questioned whether the new rules created contradictions in permit fees.
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.
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.
Veterans Park Parking and Traffic Impact
A resident expressed concerns regarding increased traffic, headlights, and noise from parking spaces bordering her property near Veterans Park, requesting privacy solutions and an additional park exit.
Storm Response
Smithtown's highway crews are grinding through the weekend to clean up the mess left by the recent nor'easter. Expect some headaches on the road, so check for closures before you head out.
Fire Prevention Fees
Smithtown is shaking up its fire prevention fees, meaning local property and business owners might soon see changes on their safety inspection bills. It's a good time to keep tabs on city updates so your overhead doesn't take you by surprise.
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.
Cultural Arts Restoration
Smithtown just put up a brand-new marquee at the Performing Arts Center, giving a nice little boost to our downtown's ongoing comeback. It's a fresh look for a local hub that helps keep our town center vibrant.
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.
Long Island Power Authority Article 78 Litigation Settlement
The town is moving forward with an interim settlement agreement in a court case involving LIPA and Matthew R. Cronin. This legal step helps resolve ongoing disputes handled through Suffolk County Supreme Court.
Surveillance
Smithtown's getting side-eye from a civil liberties group over how much the government is tracking residents. Expect some heated local debates soon about where the city draws the line between safety and your right to privacy.
Tree Quarantine
Smithtown and nearby towns are under a tree quarantine because of a deadly fungus. You'll need to watch out for rules about moving firewood and timber so the disease doesn't spread.
Backyard Wood Burning and Air Quality Nuisance
A resident brought forward a complaint regarding a neighbor burning wood for hours daily, rendering outdoor property unusable, and suggested reviewing Oyster Bay's code for local adoption.
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 Animal Boarding Expansion in St. James
Premier Pets is seeking a special exception to expand into neighboring tenant spaces for overnight dog boarding and daycare. The Board required proof of health department sanitary calculations and an official acoustical engineering report to ensure barking won't disturb nearby commercial tenants or residents.
Commercial Signage and Car Wash Advertising on Jericho Turnpike
Bolla EM Realty sought to expand its ground sign to advertise its car wash service to passing motorists. The board approved the expansion with the condition that older unauthorized canopy signs be removed.
Sweetbriar Nature Center Property Maintenance
A long-time volunteer and resident raised concerns regarding the deterioration of the buildings and grounds at the Sweetbriar Nature Center facility.
Special Needs Transportation and Child Care Advocacy
A local mother spoke during public comment about the challenges families face with school-age child care and transportation for special needs children outside the district.
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.
St. James Summer Nights Road Closures and Business Impact
Local business representatives raised concerns about road closures and premature setup times during the St. James Summer Nights events, urging better enforcement and venue reconsideration.
Corner Lot Fence and Shed Setbacks and Neighborhood Safety Concerns
Homeowners across Smithtown sought zoning relief for kitchen expansions, porticos, decks, and accessory structures that encroach on standard yard setbacks due to lot shapes or existing nonconforming structures.
21 Main Street Unsafe Building Demolition Hearing
The town held a public hearing on whether to enter and demolish an unsafe fire-damaged commercial building at 21 Main Street in Kings Park (Main Street Pub). The property owner's attorney and contractor presented newly resubmitted building plans to restore the structure, leading the board to hold off on demolition.
Permitting and Impact of Charity Road Races
The town is looking to tighten rules and review routes for charity runs due to growing complaints about road closures, blocked access for emergency vehicles and local businesses, and a lack of police staffing.
Commercial Use and Setback Disputes on Comanche Lane
An adjoining neighbor objected to a rear deck variance at 15 Comanche Lane due to privacy concerns regarding the elevated deck's height. The neighbor also raised safety concerns regarding tree plantings near power lines, though town officials clarified that utility easement rules fall under PSE&G rather than municipal zoning.
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.
Commack Cemetery Tree Removal Dispute
Residents raised concerns regarding court-ordered tree removals at the Commack Cemetery, alleging lack of board transparency and improper dual roles by leadership.
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.
Highway Department Tree Removal and Fleet Maintenance Costs
Highway officials discussed better coordination with horticulture to prevent ripping out newly planted trees during sidewalk and road repairs, and warned that snowstorm vehicle repairs are already burning through equipment budgets.
Industrial Park Buffer Reduction at 20 Austin Boulevard
A warehouse owner at 20 Austin Boulevard wants to shrink a required 100-foot green buffer down to 50 feet to fit more parking. Neighbors to the west might see more of the industrial site, so the board is waiting for environmental advice before deciding.
Election
Local elections are coming up in Smithtown, and Patch is dropping candidate profiles to help you figure out who's on your ballot. Maria Scheuring is throwing her hat in the ring for Town Council.
Library Book Ban Reversal
Smithtown's library board caved to intense community pressure and finally scrapped its controversial ban on LGBTQ+ books in the kids' section. It's a huge win for local readers who fought hard to keep the library shelves diverse and open to everyone.