A Lot To Think About In Smithtown's Revamped Master Plan

SMITHTOWN GETS A FIRST LOOK AT REVAMPED MASTER PLAN

December 18, 2020

By Richard Murdocco

A summary of findings from the Town of Smithtown’s latest draft comprehensive plan were first offered to elected officials and the public during a December 15^th virtual town board session. 

The presentation given by Jeff Janota, a planning representative from Melville-based H2M architects+engineers, served as the first time both policymakers and residents heard of the newest plan’s recommendations for the future of housing, transportation, land use, recreation and more. 

According to local officials, the presentation was the first step of a lengthy formal approval process that includes an environmental review, the scheduling of additional public hearings, targeted community meetings, potential revisions, and an eventual vote of final adoption by the town.

The $490,000 effort first launched back in December 2018, when the Town of Smithtown contracted with H2M to craft the plan. Since then, the engineering firm conducted numerous resident surveys, meetings, and community outreach charettes in an effort to take the public’s temperature on issues such as the revitalization of Smithtown’s downtown areas and hamlet centers, as well as allowing additional residential development in key areas. 

This isn’t the first time Smithtown has tried to update its current master plan, which has been in use since 1961. 

A previous planning effort in 2015 was received coolly by the region’s business groups and real estate developers, who felt that the resulting developmental roadmap was uninspiring.  At the time, builders argued that the 2015 plan fell “woefully short of properly addressing downtown development and the area’s increasing exodus of young people.”

As a result, the massive draft went nowhere because the town board declined to formally adopt it. However, parts of the previous plan did find a second life in providing data for the 2020 effort’s land use analysis and community inventory.

Chief among the recommendations of this latest iteration include amending the town’s zoning regulations to bring them more aligned with current land usage, as well as allowing developers greater flexibility in changing permitted uses as appropriate. The plan also stresses the need for more transit-oriented development near area Long Island Rail Road stations, enhanced improvements to recreational facilities town-wide, as well as preserving the integrity of Smithtown’s existing single-family neighborhoods, which make up 51% of Smithtown’s overall land usage.

A key recommendation being made is that policymakers create a new zoning designation called a Multi-Family Zone that allows for low to mid-rise residential development in hamlets with underutilized lots, including areas located along West Jericho Turnpike in Commack or various vacant wooded parcels in Nesconset. 

“The Town of Smithtown should encourage, where appropriate, the construction of a diverse housing stock beyond the single-family home to meet the needs of all ages and abilities,” the document states. “Housing types could include townhome, apartment, assisted living, senior living, or traditional mixed-use,” it continues, adding that smaller-scale housing options should also be integrated into areas surrounding transit hubs and designated town centers.

In addition, the draft charted recent growth trends and key demographic metrics throughout Smithtown.

According to the document, traffic growth was relatively modest throughout the township from the period between 2015 to 2018, with the data showing that the number of total vehicle trips on town roads increased by 6%. In addition, the plan identified an 18% decline in overall school district enrollment town-wide, a figure averaged across the Smithtown, Kings Park, Hauppauge, and Commack school districts.

For the 75-acre Gyrodyne property, one of the last large tracts of developable land in western Suffolk County, the plan suggests that Smithtown residents are supportive of recent efforts to redevelop the former industrial parcel. “When asked how they’d like to see Gyrodyne redeveloped, comprehensive plan survey commenters believed the current proposed plans for a hotel, assisted living, and medical office was appropriate, and they additionally desired a sewage treatment plant, walking trails, green space, and in some instances, residential,” the draft writes. The plan goes on to recommend a buffer of parkland on the site, and suggests that elected officials keep a watchful eye on developmental happenings on the Brookhaven side of the property. 

At public hearings on Gyrodyne’s redevelopment earlier this year, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine argued against the latest projects being proposed on the Town of Smithtown portion of the Gyrodyne property due to their potential negative impacts to the environment and quality-of-life.

Concerning recreation, H2M said that the town should work to create new neighborhood parks in areas such as Half Hollow Road in Commack; Donald Drive and Hillside-Gramercy Gardens in Kings Park and at 3rd Street and Astor Avenue in St. James. The document found that surveyed local residents strongly favor additional investment being made in Smithtown’s recreational facilities, and were supportive of additional parks being built. In total, the plan reports that there were 1,159 survey responses from residents, who left over 2,000 comments.

According to Allyson Murray, Smithtown’s project manager for the comprehensive plan update, the next steps will be the scheduling of additional public workshops to solicit feedback and dedicated hearings as the plan’s environmental impact statements are being authored. “There is a considerable amount of public outreach that is to occur,” Murray said, who noted that the level of resident participation in the planning process reflects local civic pride. “We have a large and stable residential community of people who care about where they live.” 

Murray says that the public is welcome to comment on the draft plan anytime between now and February, when official hearings on the document will likely be scheduled. If the public is generally supportive of the draft recommendations, the town is aiming to formally adopt the 2020 comprehensive plan sometime in late spring or early summer next year.

Richard Murdocco is an award-winning columnist and adjunct professor in Stony Brook University’s public policy graduate program. He regularly writes and speaks about Long Island’s real estate development issues. You can email Murdocco at Rich@TheFoggiestIdea.org.

TOS Issues Advisory About Illegal Deer Hunting And Tree Stands

Smithtown NY​: Due to an increase in complaints from concerned residents with regards to new tree stands appearing on adjacent properties within 500 feet of homes, the Town of Smithtown has issued the following statement:

With regards to the Ordinance Regulating the Discharge of Firearms in the Town of Smithtown, Chapter 160 of the Smithtown Code, the use of a bow and arrow within 500 feet of a home is strictly prohibited - unless the use is on one’s own property or upon another’s property with written consent of the owner.

Recently, the Town of Smithtown was granted permission to appeal a lower court’s invalidation of the Town’s firearms code. The town was also granted relief from the State’s highest court authorizing the Town to enforce it’s 500 foot rule until the appeal is decided. This means that the town may issue a summons to anyone using a bow and arrow less than 500 feet from a residence unless it’s their own property, or have written consent of a property owner.

The Town’s ordinance is not enforceable in the villages of Nissequogue, Head of the Harbor or the Village of the Branch. Residents within these villages should contact their Village Hall for information about the use of a bow and arrow or other firearms in those jurisdictions.

Report a tree stand or illegal bow hunting:

If you see a tree stand or evidence of illegal deer hunting within the Town of Smithtown, you may report issues to the ​Department of Public Safety by calling 631-360-7553.

For more information regarding the Ordinance Regulating the Discharge of Firearms in the Town of Smithtown, please visit: https://ecode360.com/15098468?highlight=&searchId=30980023409379896

Administration At Highway Dept. To Work Remotely After Confirmed Case Of Covid

Smithtown NY:  In an effort to protect both the community and town employees, Highway administration personnel will be working remotely for the next two weeks. This comes after a confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported over the holiday weekend. This is a standard part of the town’s Coronavirus protocols, geared at preventing further spread. Currently calls are being answered by Highway dispatch. However, given the normal volume of calls, it is likely that residents may experience a delay in some services. We ask that you have patience during this period as we work vigilantly to protect the community. 

Seasonal reminder: While leaf bags are still being picked up, brush (branches, tree limbs etc) should not be placed at the curbside at this point in the season. Additionally, given the higher volume of leaf and brush collection this year, residents are reminded to place bags on top of the sidewalk and not along the road. This can help to prevent flooding or ponding in both residential and commercial areas. 

Rescue Of Capsized Vessel In Nissequogue River

The Smithtown Department of Public Safety coordinated rescue efforts for a boater in distress last week. On Wednesday, October 21st, at approximately 3:15PM, members of the Smithtown Public Safety Waterways and Navigation Division were dispatched to a report of a capsized vessel in the Nissequogue River near Riviera Drive in Kings Park. 

Bay Constable David Rosenberg was on scene at the Kings Park Bluff handling a separate complaint, and was able to respond immediately to the location of the capsized vessel after a Good Samaritan allowed him to use their personal watercraft. Bay Constable Rosenberg made contact with the operator of the vessel, Carlo Ferrara of Smithtown. Ferrara was on top of his overturned sailboat, and Bay Constable Rosenberg was able to safely return Ferrara to shore without any injuries. Ferrara was found to be in good condition and did not require medical attention.

Bay Constable Blake Gifford and Bay Constable Daniel Shannon, in conjunction with the Suffolk County Marine Bureau, responded to the scene in a Town of Smithtown patrol vessel, and towed the capsized vessel back to the San Remo Boat Ramp.

Lake Avenue Smithtown's 8.2 Million Dollar Road Part III Gyrodyne Problem

By Stacey Altherr

 It was a long time coming, say many residents and business owners. And although the Lake Avenue project in Saint James’ business district may be on budget and on time (actually, much earlier), there are roadblocks that could mean it may not reach its full potential for a while.

Part one of Lake Avenue Smithtown’s 8.2 Million Dollar Road Part I

Lake Avenue Smithtown’s 8.2 Million Dollar Road Part II

Project’s Gyrodyne Problem

One major hang-up may be the hook-up of the sewer line to a viable sewer treatment plant. 

For the town to build its own sewer plant could cost as much as $150 million, say town officials, a cost too prohibitive for a town to fund, so they were pleased when they reached out to Gyrodyne about a St. James property the company was looking to develop. Not only would be it significantly less expensive, because the cost would be borne by the business owners hooking into the system, but it could be built in about 3 years as opposed to 8-10 years for a municipal plant to be built, says Garguilo.

The treatment plant would be constructed as part of Gyrodyne’s plans for a boutique hotel of about 90 rooms, an assisted living residence, and two buildings of medical offices, and about 12 acres of preserved open space, say town officials.

The plan was to hook up to a plant on the Gyrodyne Property in Saint James, but state and county approvals are delayed by environmental worries by both Stony Brook and other Brookhaven residents (the plant’s property sits on Stony Brook Harbor).

Among the dissenters of the plant is NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket), who sent written comments to the town planner decrying the plant, citing unmanageable traffic on the three roads leading to the property- State Road 25, Mill Pond Road, and Stony Brook Road-  and environmental worries regarding Stony Brook Harbor, a protected tidal estuary, as well as concerns the treatment plans would expand to take on even more businesses and industries to stay financially solvent.

“It should also be noted that unlike any other New York harbor, New York State owns most of the bottom of Stony Brook Harbor. This almost 900 acres of state ownership is a public trust that the Gyrodyne project and its sewer effluent must not be allowed to violate,” reads the written comments to the town’s environmental impact statement inquiry.

Town of Smithtown’s environmental impact statement should be issued in the next few months, says Wehrheim. Then, it needs to get county approval.

Calls and emails to Gyrodyne president Gary Fitlin were not returned, but Wehrheim said he has seen the plan. Saying it would be a savings for the town to be able to hook into the proposed Gyrodyne plant, he noted there is still an alternative to hook into a county plant on the south side.

However, “we remain fairly confident it will happen,” the supervisor said, adding that a newly constructed plant would be much safer for the environment than for these businesses to continue with antiquated septic systems.

In Kings Park, where the pipe is already laid and ready to hook into County Sewer District plants, its hookup will allow for more “wet use” businesses, that is water-based businesses, such as restaurants, as well as apartments above those businesses.

Celebration Park

While not in the original budget, both town officials and some business leaders say the lack of parking along Lake Avenue can still cause problems for shops and stores in the area, which have already been sidelined with Covid-19 issues.

To solve that problem, and to further make Lake Avenue a shopping and eating destination, the town is looking to make the old Viking Inn property, which the town purchased last year from the county, a small “pocket” park and municipal parking, says Wehrheim. The Viking Inn was purchased last year for $93,000 for the county after the property fell into tax default. 

The park would include a small concession spot, greenery and walking paths, along with the extra parking of about 35 parking spaces.

A group of residents have formed an organization to raise money, which would offset the town’s capital costs, which could possibly reach $7 million, including from concession stand sales. A cost for easements on two neighboring properties that was originally in that cost, will not be necessary now, says Wehrheim.

Ground breaking ceremony originally scheduled for October 29th has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 2pm.