Amy's Perspective - $300,000.00 budgeted for “Revision of Town Code”

By Amy Fortunato

$300,000.00 budgeted for “Revision of Town Code”

Smithtown has a special charm and unique character on Long Island.  It is clearly an attractive destination.  There are numerous benefits to living and working in this appealing town.  Smithtown is family friendly - a safe community for children adults and seniors to thrive!   Our notable highlights include the exceptional school districts, beautiful beaches and parks situated within our vital historic heritage.  Retail shops and businesses also prosper.  Smithtown’s attractive neighborhoods draw new homeowners and pleases current residents who stay within our charming community. 

Smithtown asserts a pre-Revolutionary foundation.  Our history books describe the impact of the LIRR that brought urban families to our country setting in 1870.  Newly constructed homes and commercial buildings began to populate the countryside within Smithtown’s borders.  It became obvious to the town officials that organization and safety standards were necessary to manage this residential and business growth.   The Building Zone Ordinance of the Town of Smithtown, Chapter 54, (General Code Publishers Corp., Spencerport, NY 14559, 1970) states its purpose:

“A. To guide and regulate the orderly growth, development and redevelopment of the Town of Smithtown outside of the limits of any incorporated village, in accordance with a comprehensive plan and with long-term objectives, principles and standards deemed beneficial to the interests and welfare of the people.  

B. To protect the established character and the social and economic well-being of both private and public property.  

C. To promote, in the public interest, the utilization of land for the purposes for which it is most appropriate.  

D. To secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers, and to provide adequate light, air and convenience of access. 

E. To prevent overcrowding of land or buildings, and to avoid undue concentration of population.  

F.  To lessen and, where possible, to prevent traffic congestion on public streets and highways.  

G.  To conserve the value of buildings and to enhance the value of land throughout the town outside the limits of any incorporated village.”  

Obviously, Smithtown has added many more citizens and businesses to our community since 1970.  Our current context has expanded, BUT these principles retain their value to guide our elected town officials as they move to approve reviewing town code towards changes that allow for further development without drafting, adopting and completing a Comprehensive Master Plan based on a town-wide survey and other various issues that impact Smithtown.  The capital budget includes $300,000.00 for “Revision of Town Code” (2018 Proposed Capital Funding Plan.)  It’s time to revisit our past to inform our future in Smithtown.  

 Amy Fortunato is a Smithtown resident who ran for Town Council on the Democratic line in 2017.