Zone Change? Legitimize Activities? Stay Tuned

Wednesday’s Planning Board meeting was long.  Over three hours long.  To no one’s surprise not much was accomplished.  The Carlson’s attorney, Vincent Trimarco, presented the case for a zone change. He did so bemoaning the fact that it had come down to asking for a zone change and suggesting that there should have been a compromise along the way.  Hank Carlson had most of the people in the room laughing when he equated the zoning issues to covering one’s private parts with burlap underware.  Toby Carlson spoke about the roots in the community and the desire to be good neighbors.    

On to the audience.  No one was buying the Carlsons as victims.  Person after person stood at the podium and spoke about their suffering. They spoke of bad odors, the untruths, the lack of response from the town, the DEC and the business owners.  People stood and talked about not being able to enjoy their property because of the noise, the smells, the trucks.

Some audience members spoke about health issues and the fear of what will happen to their lives if Smithtown does the unthinkable and permits a zone change to heavy industry.  Mothers and fathers talked about their families and why they choose to remain where they live. 

Community organization representatives spoke in angst about power plants and truck traffic.  

Mostly, people spoke in frustration that the problems in this area have continued, without resolution, for decades. Even worse, speakers expressed the feeling that no one seems to be listening. Everyone seemed to want a compromise that would permit business owners to exist without negatively impacting on the environment,  homes and mostly their families.  Is it possible?

Meeting adjourned until September.

Here are questions that came out of the meeting?

1.  Why was the meeting not adjourned?

2.  Who wants a zone change?

3.  Are activities taking place on the Carlson property that are detrimental to the health and well being of the residents in surrounding communities?

4.  Is the current Town Board capable of making a decision or willing to go on the record as to to what they think should be done in the area?

5. How much tax revenue is generated from the businesses in the area?

6.  What is the economic reality of any zone change?

7.  Can the infrastructure support a zone change?

8.  Where can residents go to get answers to their questions?

9.  Is there a solution?

10. Is there someone on the Board willing to take the lead on this?