Smithtown Officials Approve Forest Labs Plans to Expand

Smithtown elected officials have given Forest Laboratories approval to expand its Commack location by more than 30,000 square feet.

Smithtown Town Board members voted unanimously after Tuesday's board meeting to approve to its

The Hauppauge-based pharmaceutical company submitted plans on Jan. 20 to the Smithtown Planning Department requesting multiple variances to build a 32,600-square-foot expansion. The company states the expansion is for "new building functions such as laboratories, clinical packaging, data center, office and amenities."

By adding a second story to the existing building, Forest Laboratories will increase the height of their offices to 43 feet, eight feet above the 35-foot maximum height permitted under the town's zoning code. The height variance was requested so the manufacturer can install skylights and a cooling tower.

Other additions that will be made under the expansion include a new 430-stall parking lot, improvements to the current sanitary and stormwater drainage, and wastewater treatment.

Forest Laboratory's Commack location is with close proximity to several residential homes. The new parking lot will come within 100-feet of these residential properties.

The company claims the expansion, once completed, will bring an additional 410 employees to its Commack location. It is not clear whether these are new employees or transfers from one of its nearby locations.

Do you live near Forest Laboratories? Are you bothered by the company's plans to expand or grateful for the potential jobs it will bring to the area? Tell us in the Comments below.