Neighbors: ‘No,’ Town Board: ‘Yes’ To Zone Change

A site plan for the 55-and-over community planned to be built along Deer Park Avenue in Dix Hills.

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

 The Huntington town board approved last week a zone change that paves the way for a 55-and-over community to be built along Deer Park Avenue in Dix Hills, despite opposition from residents who live near the proposed development.

A dozen speakers argued against the zone change during the public portion of Wednesday’s town board meeting.

“There is going to be an impact on energy; 86 residences will have a huge impact on energy. There will be a negative impact on noise, human health and it is inconsistent with the community character,” Dix Hills resident Gail Jospa said.

Dix Hills resident and architect Glen Landow claimed the approval will contribute to a growth in sewer treatment plants needed to sustain large density housing developments.

“Development without proper infrastructure is just not good planning; we don’t have the sewer systems in place to support it. The infrastructure is just not there,” Landow said.

The zone change was approved, 3-1, with Councilman Eugene Cook voting against it and Councilwoman Susan Berland abstaining for an undisclosed reason.

Neither Cook nor Berland returned a call for comment before deadline Wednesday.

Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, who voted for the zone change, said in a statement emailed Monday that the project underwent a stringent environmental review that concluded there would be “minimal adverse impacts.”

“There is a continued demand for senior housing. The vast majority of people who will be moving into this community now live in Huntington,” Cuthbertson said. “I carefully considered all comments of those who opposed the application. While I certainly respect their opinions, I believe the proposed development will not cause adverse impacts on the neighboring communities.”

The proposal calls for construction of 46 townhouses and 40 condos across roughly nine acres. In order for it to move forward, the R-40 Residential District to R-3M Garden Apartment Special District zone change needed to be approved for four separate parcels.

The biggest parcel is the current location of DeLalio Sod Farms at 652 Deer Park Ave., just south of Half Hollow Hills Road.

With the approval in hand, Great Neck-based developer Jobco Inc. is set to move forward with the project, but first final site plan approval is required, said Melville-based attorney Garrett Gray, who is representing the applicant.

Town planners want the final site plan to include some minor changes, including installation of a 2.5-foot berm along the east side of the property, Gray said. He added that his client also needs state DOT and Suffolk Health Department approvals.

Gray said, “Conservatively speaking, I would anticipate an early 2019 groundbreaking.”