Intel Finalist Rachel Davis Inducted Into LI Technology Hall Of Fame

left to right: Maria Zeitlin Trinkle (Smithtown East Research Coordinator), Rachel Davis, Dr. Miriam Rafailovich (Stony Brook University)Smithtown East is pleased to announce that Rachel Davis, a 2012 Intel STS finalist from the East Science Research Program, was inducted into the Long Island Technology Hall of Fame at a dinner reception at the Garden City Hotel on March 7, 2012. According to Larry Waldman, Chair of the LITHF Selection Committee, “the LITFH bestows well-deserved honors and recognition upon executive, entrepreneur and inventor honorees…and seeks to encourage the next generation. The students reflect the caliber of high quality education Long Island continues to provide to ensure seeding its future in technology.”

According to Ms. Zeitlin Trinkle, the Smithtown East Science Research Coordinator, “Rachel has embodied the passion necessary to encourage the STEM initiate here on Long Island.  She seeks to investigate engineering methods and bring useful ideas to the market with her work on Biodegradable, Flame Retardant Polymers studied in the lab of Dr. Miriam Rafailovich at Stony Brook University.”  Last December Ms. Zeitlin Trinkle attended the STEM Summit held at Farmingdale University and hosted by STEM Hub Steward Brookhaven National Laboratory, in hopes to coordinate efforts with leading institutions and businesses. According to the website for the LI Regional STEM Hub, “there will be a focus on preparing students for the Long Island workforce through enhanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) experiences for students and teachers. Academic relevance will serve as the major theme by making it easy for businesses to engage with school and university systems, and integrating non-academic settings such as museums, research labs, and not-for-profit programs. It is envisioned the Hub will promote workforce development that stimulates economic growth and the vitality of the region.”

Rachel has just returned from the Intel Science Talent Search competition in Washington, D.C. where she presented her project titled, “Flame Retardant Biodegradable Polymers,” to professional scientists and Nobel Laureates.  Additionally, Rachel had the honor of meeting President Obama in the White House.  According to Rachel, “the experience was amazing.”  When asked what was the best part of the Intel contest she replied, “the people. I will keep the friendships I made for life.”

Editorial - Accolades For The Town Board

Accolades go to Smithtown’s Town Board for trying to find a compromise between the residents who live on Brilner Drive and the owners of Insignia Prime Steak And Sushi on Nesconset Highway. 

The nightspot has emerged as the “place to go ” for people who are looking for a nouveau contemporary setting and who can afford pricey drinks and fine food.  People (including myself) who have visited the premises cannot help but be impressed by the restaurant’s décor and services, which include valet parking.

The restaurant, located at the site of the former Boulder Creek restaurant, has had tremendous success resulting in an increased need for parking spaces.

Therein lies the problem.

In an effort to create additional parking for its patrons, the restaurant owners intruded on a buffer (or scenic easement) that was part of a covenant placed on the property in 1998.  The buffer, between the restaurant and the homeowners living on Brilner Drive, was removed and a parking area was created. 

The “scenic easement,” was not a merely a promise made to homeowners, it was a legal document. The document, filed with Suffolk County, pledges to the homeowners that the buffer zone cannot be disturbed without their written consent.  The document ensures homeowners that the covenant creating the buffer zone is binding for current (1998) and all future owners of the property on which Boulder Creek restaurant is located.

The Town assigned Planning Director Frank DeRubeis the task of finding a resolution to the problem. In other words, make the problem disappear. 

The Town also issued a summons to the owners of Insignia for failing to get the appropriate permits required before constructing a parking lot.  The hearing for the summons was adjourned.  One homeowner requested that parking not be allowed on the contested area until an agreement as to how and where parking will be permitted is reached.  A Town attorney agreed to ask the owners to suspend the parking.

Meanwhile the clock is ticking on how much time the planning department is spending trying to find a resolution.  (Why are permits so expensive?)

Mr. DeRubeis met with homeowners and explained his plan, which will legitimize Insignia’s parking expansion into the “scenic easement.”  The plan calls for a ten-foot earth berm to be created to act as a sound barrier and a light barrier for the residents.  The earthen berm is expected to mitigate water problems that might arise in the high water table area. The parking area will be porous allowing water to seep into the ground.  In addition, Insignia restaurant will soundproof areas of its facility that back up on Brilner Drive.

If this proposal is acceptable to both parties involved, a document will be created explaining the stipulations and the compromise will be implemented. 

There will be a sigh of relief.  

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result” Albert Einstein

Pat

21-Year Old Kings Park Resident Killed In Hit-and Run Crash

Correction: Kieran Smith was driving his 2008 Nissan east on the Long Island Expressway when his vehicle became disabled and he was walking on Express Drive South in Brentwood when he was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on April 1. The location where his vehicle became disabled was incorrect in the original release

Suffolk County Police Third Squad detectives are investigating a hit-and-run crash that killed a 21-year-old disabled motorist this morning.

Kieran Smith was driving his 2008 Nissan on Express Drive South when his vehicle became disabled east of the Sagtikos Parkway.  Smith, of Kings Park, left his vehicle and was walking on Express Drive South when he was apparently struck and killed by a vehicle whose driver fled the scene.  A passing motorist discovered Smith’s body on the shoulder and called police at 7:45 a.m.

The Nissan was impounded and the investigation is continuing. 

Detectives ask anyone with information on this incident or who may have witnessed this crash to contact the Third Squad at 631-854-8352 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.  All calls will remain confidential.

Hess Commack - The Public Spoke Against- Town Council Members Did It Anyway

Hess Gas Station Approved for Jericho Turnpike

Amid concerns from residents and local officials, Town Board approves controversial zoning change 3-2

By Chad Kushins

To the chagrin of many residents and local officials, at last week’s regular meeting of the Smithtown Town Board, Hess Corporation received its approval to build a gas station and convenience store on the corner of Jericho Turnpike and Harned Road in Commack.  

The decision to green-light the controversial zone change from “Whole Service Industry” to “Neighborhood Business” to accommodate Hess Corporation’s plans to build a 12-pump Hess Express in Commack was voted 3-2 at the March 22^nd meeting.   Supervisor Patrick Vecchio, keeping his previous promise to remain against the zoning change and construction, was joined by Councilman Ed Wehrheim in voting down Hess’ approval.  Fellow Town Board members Robert Creighton, Kevin Malloy, and Tom McCarthy voted for Hess.

“I voted for it and my opinion is that it’s a good thing,” Creighton told Smithtown Matters.  “There was controversy and there was more than a fair share of communication between the Town, the residents, and with Hess … But it will be a big benefit to the neighborhood and it was a good application by the Hess corporation.”

In opposition, Councilman Wehrheim stated, “As it’s well-known, I was opposed to the Hess station as far back as 2009.  With the application now, I hadn’t seen that anything had really changed enough to change my own opinions.”

According to Wehrheim, he had been holding out hope that if his colleagues voted down the application again, the town could pursue a less controversial future use of the property; in the past, companies TD Bank, Walgreen’s, and other chains had expressed their own interest in the property, yet nothing came of those inquires.  “I was holding out to see what would come of other inquiries about the spot,” continued, Wehrheim.  “But basically, nothing happened.”

Wehrheim added, “However, I respect my fellow council members and their opinion.  Fundamentally, that’s how government works.”

Smithtown’s elected officials had voted down a similar application from Hess in 2009 due to traffic and safety concerns, with the Supervisor against its approval even then.  

The proposed plan calls for the former Shell gas station building at the intersection of Jericho Turnpike and Harned Road to be reconfigured into a 1,230 square-foot convenience store and gas station.  As part of the company’s plans, 12 gas pumps are to be installed, eight more than the previous Shell station’s four pumps.  The current pattern has vehicles entering the intersection from two directions each on Jericho Turnpike and Harned Road, as well as an exit ramp from the northbound lanes of the Sunken Meadow Parkway.

The decision comes following the February 23^rd regular meeting of the Town Board, which saw an unprecedented outpouring of community members speak against the gas company’s proposal.  That meeting, which saw 28 residents step forward to address the Town Board members and speak out against the Hess approval, ran for nearly three hours, culminating in widespread local media coverage and a grassroots campaign to keep the construction from taking place.  

Rudy Massa, the owner of the Gasoline Heaven station at 2088 Jericho Turnpike for more than 40 years, presented a petition which included the signatures of more than 1,800 local residents and storeowners who were against the Town’s approval.  

“The reason that any gas retailer wants to expand to this size, of course, is that they want to maximize profit,” Massa initially told Smithtown Matters.  “[But] the key factor here is safety … It’s a five-corner intersection and is a nightmare.  I have grandchildren that are of driving age and we’re all on this road everyday.  It could be very dangerous.”

Of last week’s Town Board approval, Massa commented, “Justice wasn’t served.  The community spoke, but [the Town Board] simply didn’t listen.”

Massa continued, “I would like to commend Supervisor Vecchio and Councilman Wehrheim, however, for understanding our safety concerns … In general, we may need a change in Town Board.”

Massa had been joined by a number of retailers in Commack in writing and circulating the petition, especially after customers would come into his station and express their own worries about Hess’ plans.  “Originally, the Town Board said to us that, because of safety concerns, [the construction] wasn’t going forward.  Now, a few years later, it’s back on the docket … I’ve had tremendous feedback from customers, expressing their concerns.”

One outspoken critic of the Hess proposal is Assemblyman Michael J. Fitzpatrick who, though unable to attend the February 22^nd meeting, sent a personal letter to be read.  “Please deny [the proposal] for reasons of safety,” Fitzpatrick’s statement to the Town Board read, citing the difference in size and style of the old Shell station his reason for concern. 

“The reason that I wanted to get involved,” Fitzpatrick initially told Smithtown Matters, “is that this is really a zoning issue.  You can’t use business competition as a relevant issue in this.  The problem, really, is that Route 25 is a state road and we’ve had six separate recent deaths along it … Because this is a five-corner intersection, safety is a major concern.”

Hess Corporation is next expected to present their construction plans to the Smithtown Planning and Community Development Department to determine if any variances would be needed.  Pending that meeting, construction would be allowed to go forward with the Town’s approval.  

Town Seeks Compromise - Residents Seek Peace And Quiet - Insignia Seeks Parking

Can A Compromise Pave the Way for Restaurant’s Parking 

Town Board presents possible solutions to Insignia and residents alike

By Chad Kushins

After weeks of residents expressing concern and skepticism, compromises have been presented by the Town of Smithtown to the owners of popular upscale restaurant, Insignia, hoping to amicably pave the way for the eatery’s request of a larger parking lot while securing the privacy and quality of living to nearby neighbors.  

Last week, the owners of the steak and sushi house made their case before the Town Board, their presentation quickly countered with a similar compromised proposal from the Planning Department.  Under the Town’s proposal, a buffer would be constructed in the back of the eatery, creating a sound barrier for the homes located directly behind the structure.  

Over the past few months, the owners of the popular eatery have faced the criticism of local residents, many of whom claim that Insignia’s patrons have been parking along the nearby residential streets when the provided spaces maxed past capacity.  In addition, homeowners living directly behind the restaurant – which stands at the former location of Boulder Creek Steakhouse on the corner of Nesconset Highway and Mount Pleasant Road – have faced noise pollution, claiming that a sound buffer would be needed to ease the negative effects of having a packed restaurant in such close proximity.  

At the March 22^nd meeting, held at the Eugene Cannataro Senior Citizen Center in Smithtown at 7:00pm, the owners made their presentation, angling for the needed variances which would allow the parking lot expansion.  In response, the Planning Department presented their possible compromise – the sound buffer that residents had been hoping for, but with an added stipulation.  According to the Planning Department, Insignia would be allowed to install not only the 51 additional spots originally requested, but rather, 105 spots, stating that the initial number would prove too low to accurately remedy the problem.

“We appeared before the Board of Zoning Appeals [BZA] to reduce the buffer,” Insignia’s attorney, Donald King of Kings Park told Smithtown Matters.  “[Town Planning Director Frank DeRubeis] came up with a plan that we think will work … It’s a pretty good plan, but we would just have to tweak it.  We need to make sure it’s workable and , hopefully, the Town Board and the BZA will approve the buffer.”

According to King, for a grand total of 227 parking spots, Insignia would have to agree to construct a buffer separating the restaurant from the nearby houses. The plan reduces the current buffer from 100 feet to 80 feet. Initially, Insignia’s owners had sought to reduce the buffer zone from 100 feet to 58 feet in order to increase their parking spaces.  In the reduced 80-foot buffer zone, Insignia’s owners would be responsible for installing a 10-foot high, 50-foot wide buffer, called a “berm”.  This structure would be planted with trees and landscaping, capable of absorbing water, and similar to the one at Hidden Ponds development across Route 347. 

In previous interviews with Smithtown Matters, both Planning Director DeRubeis and Assistant Town Planning Director David Flynn outlined the major factors involved with the restaurant’s requests.  According to both officials, the initial Insignia variance consisted of two elements – setting the standing parking lot from 100 feet down to only 50 feet, which created more room for additional parking spots, yet brought the restaurant’s daily business ever closer towards the residential community.  Additionally, Insignia’s variance called for “altering what has been deemed ‘environmentally sensitive land,’” according to Flynn,  groundwater concerns on the property had previously mandated strict zoning codes.

“When Boulder Creek had its original zone changes, there was the 100-foot buffer on the structure’s north side,” DeRubeis told Smithtown Matters.  “When the owners converted the restaurant into Insignia, changes were made to that site plan – something that would have come with its own restrictions … whenever someone constructs a parking lot in town, one of the major standing restrictions is that it cannot be done on an area with less than 10 feet of groundwater.”

As previously reported in Smithtown Matters, the property on which Insignia now lies was already labeled environmentally sensitive due to its current groundwater table of less than 10 feet below the surface.  The owners previously received a summons for building an additional gravel parking lot without the granting of necessary permits.  Upon receiving the summons, the restaurant’s owners filed an application for an area variance to expand the parking lot and reduce the buffer from 100 feet to 50 feet, increasing the restaurant’s parking past what is required under town code.

According to local resident Larry Vetter, whose house runs directly behind Insignia’s back parking lot where the proposed buffer would lay, concern began when the switch was made from Boulder Creek’s family steakhouse format to Insignia’s upscale reconstruction.  Originally promised that the restaurant would remain the same size with little alteration, it soon became apparent to he and other residents that the construction would enhance the size of the full structure.  

Additionally, residents were worried about the groundwater aspects, including possible sewage runoff, but the Town’s recent compromise could set homeowners’ minds at ease.

“One of the things that came out of the town meeting that [residents] were unaware of was that the Planning Department was working on its own ‘compromised’ plan,” said Vetter.  “It’s definitely a better plan, a good alternative … My initial review is that Mr. DeRubeis’ new plan isn’t a bad idea – as long as the berm is constructed as it was described.” 

Although, according to Vetter, some residents are still skeptical, the Town’s latest compromise works to address both the parking problem and the environmental concerns.  “Plus,” Vetter continued, “a berm would solve many of the groundwater problems.”

Following the Town Board meeting, DeRubeis welcomed residents from the neighborhood behind Insignia to his office, hoping to clarify his plans and set their concerns at ease, a gesture of community outreach that Vetter claimed was “pretty good” in its attempts to outline the berm construction.  

“All of the residents who were most concerned were [at the meeting], said Vetter.  “We all agreed, in principle, to Mr. DeRubeis’ plan – provided that the Town follows through with what they presented to us.”

In regards to the groundwater and sewage concerns, Vetter added, “A couple of the residents were concerned with sewage pump-outs.  When the structure was still Boulder Creek, there were incidents with the sewage system, but it’s been pretty regular since the switch.  But, that’s really the concern of the Suffolk County Health Department … As far as our major concerns, it’s in the hands of the Town at this point.”

“We met and reviewed [the Town’s] plan,” said Brilner Drive resident Laraine Rossi.  “As a group, we made some suggestions that we thought were reasonable …  Mr. DeRubeis is planning to meet with Insignia’s attorney, Donald King, to discuss some of our ideas for the plans and we’re just waiting to see what comes of that.”

This week, Insignia attorney King also appeared before district court for the initial parking lot summons, although details could not be given as the matter is ongoing.  Insignia’s owners and representatives will go before the court again on April 10^th.  

No further appearances are needed to move forward with the new buffer, although Insignia is awaiting the approval of both the Town Board and the BZA.