Concerns Stall Hotel Plan

Long Islander News photo/Janee Law
Kevin O’Neill, co-owner of the John W. Engeman Theater, was disappointed that Northport Village officials delayed a vote on a resolution that would allow an inn on Main Street.

By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Local concerns, including those over parking, have seemingly stalled a pair of local business owners’ plan to build a boutique hotel on Main Street in Northport Village.

During a public hearing at Tuesday’s Northport Village trustee meeting, 22 people spoke, many in favor of the proposal, which was made by John W. Engeman Theater co-owners Kevin O’Neill and Richard Dolce earlier this year.

In order for their plan to build the three-story, 22,000-square-foot Northport Village Inn at 225 Main St. to move forward they need village trustees to create a hotel/inn designation in village code.

James LaMantia, 27-year owner of LaMantia Gallery at 127 Main St., spoke in favor of the proposal.

“I love the direction the village has taken; we’ve developed into a cultural center,” LaMantia said during the public hearing. “With the addition of the theater, we’re getting people coming in from out of town and it’s becoming a destination spot. I think anything that Mr. O’Neill does is going to be done tastefully and done extremely well for the village.”

Suffolk Legislator William “Doc” Spencer (D-Centerport) also spoke in favor of the proposal and called Northport Village a premier destination.

But, he added, “the lack of lodging opportunities is a disadvantage to business, residents and visitors within the lively downtown.

“Amending the code that would allow for some path forward.”

However, JoAnne Hall, who lives on Woodside Avenue, said that while she’s in favor of the proposal, she is concerned about how the included 200-seat restaurant on the first floor of the inn would impact parking in the village.

“There needs to be a better balance and there needs to be more time,” she said. “I know there’s an urgency because there’s been a lot of work done on this, but there’s a lot at stake that deserves a lot of consideration.”

After the meeting, O’Neill said that he is disappointed that officials didn’t vote on the necessary change.

“I thought it should’ve been voted on tonight,” he said. “I’m very pleased and appreciative of the support and comments of confidence that many of the residents have and business owners.”

Northport Deputy Mayor Henry Tobin, who pointed out several concerns with the plan during the meeting, said afterwards that trustees are also awaiting the findings of a SEQR review before they move forward.

The next opportunity for trustees to vote on the proposed code addition will be Aug. 22.