By Pat Biancaniello
Speakers from the Old Northport - Lawrence Road Task Force waited hours for their turn to address the town board at the April 25th meeting. When the time came for them to speak they praised, pleaded, and blasted the board. Speaker after speaker spoke with passion about health concerns, declining home values and deplorable conditions caused by illegal activities by businesses on Lawrence Rd.
Members of the task force came out to seek assurances from board members that they would not change zoning for the area. A change in zoning, they articulated, would be rewarding those who have violated the laws of the town with disregard to the health and well-being of residents.
The town is working to create a zoning ordinance for the area that would prohibit the obnoxious and illegal operations that currently exist. “Give us time” - Supervisor Vecchio, Town Attorney, John Zollo, Planning Director Frank DeRubeis called on the residents to be patient. Board members explained that they have been developing a strategy that would have the best chance for success in the courts. There was praise on both sides of the argument for Zollo’s recent success at the KPE site where a temporary restraining order (TRO) has been in place and has been effective. Audience members remained skeptical.
Zollo explained that his approach is to have a zoning ordinance plan in place to offer to the court, thereby increasing the likelihood of closing down the illegal operations. He asked that the residents give him time. “This area has been neglected for 20,30, 40 years.”
The residents were not happy. There is not a lot of trust by members of the task force that a new proposal, which board members have yet to review, which calls for an “industrial” zone, will be more effective than the current plan. Resident Larry Shaw was one of the many speakers who opposed any new zoning ordinance, “This board is not here to figure out what should be done with that land, this board is here to enforce the current zoning.”
Residents pressed board members for answers. Why would anyone consider a new zoning ordinance and believe that business owners who violate current laws will not violate a new code? Again, Zollo urged residents to give them time, reminding them that these illegal activities have been going on for many years. Resident’s frustration grew palpable.”Enforce what you have in place” was the most common expression of the night. The odors that are emanating from these sites are a recent development, according to one speaker. Again, the request was made to enforce current zoning code and not to reward illegal business activity.
“Who’s going to be affected by this? it’s us” said Mr. Shaw….