By Erica Jackson
Heading down Jericho Turnpike into Commack anyone can see that the economy has taken its toll. Gas stations and shops that were once bustling with business now sit vacant. Weeds have taken up residence in the empty parking lots as had a stray junk car dealer that had locals up in arms.
The dealer say residents, just added to the blight in the area. In a letter to SmithtownMatters.com, one resident wrote, “Commack boasts some lovely scenery. Four corners by the sawmill on Harned Road is lush and the sound of the frogs croaking at night is a delight. The shopping areas, schools and fire houses are landscaped, stylish and very clean. Yet, the Smithtown side of Commack suffers from a particular blight. There are a number of empty gas stations, some are in transition seeking new business operators and some are in the process of demolition. However, it is due to the number of empty lots on the Smithtown side of Jericho Tpke. that Commack has the Junk truck. It rotates its location in abandoned service stations imploring, GOT JUNK CARS.”
The truck, according to Jeff Horton, senior investigator for the Town of Smithtown, is now gone and its owner will be facing charges in court. “Nothing should be taking place in these empty lots,” said Horton. “If anyone sees anything, they should contact me.”
Horton says he is keeping a watchful eye over the area for any town code infractions to help with the blight situation, but he believes the area is in pretty good shape considering. He said, “Compared to other towns, we are in decent shape. You don’t realize how good our town looks unless you drive through some other areas like in Huntington and Islip.”
Still, area residents hope the town can do something more to help improve the area. Bruce Ettenburg, president of the Commack Community Association says his organization is looking to improve the area with with a Veterans’ Memorial Park. He said, “Commack is the only hamlet in Smithtown that does not have a veterans memorial and we are trying to work with the town to get one.” He continued, “Jericho would be a likely place for it.”
Ettenburg says he would hope a park could help strum up some business in the area, but he also said that the town needs to start involving the stakeholders in its master plan process. The stakeholders, he said may have ideas that could be included in the master plan to help improve the area.
The master plan, now in the works for four years is expected to help guide town officials in planning the town’s future. It will, said Frank DeRubeis, Smithtown town planner, address Jericho Turnpike as well as other areas in the town that are having similar issues.
“The problem with Jericho,” said DeRubeis is that the zoning for the area dates back to the 1920s when “strip” zoning was the norm. He said, “Businesses were located along a strip with residences behind them.” It became apparent, he said, around 50 years ago that strip zoning was not a good idea. “It left more space for commercial uses than what can be absorbed,” he said.
To remedy the issue, DeRubies said the town must take a hard look at what the town’s land use needs are. That hard look will come in the form of eight reports that are slowly being released by the town’s planning department as part of the master plan process.
According to DeRubies, after the town releases it’s reports, his department will then work on a corridor analysis that will include strategies to improve blighted areas, such as Jericho Turnpike. In the case of Jericho, DeRubies said he may recommend allowing for multifamily residences or suggest that the town install sewer lines in the area to allow for businesses such as restaurants.
DeRubies said, “Right now, you are limited in that area on what you can do because there are no sewers.” Once all reports are released and recommendations are made, DeRubies said the public will be invited to make comments. An environmental impact statement will also be required before the Master Plan is finalized. It isn’t expected, however, that the plan will be made final anytime soon. DeRubeis said, We are looking at several years down the line.”
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