Politics & Government

Kings Park 'Eyesore' Causes Town to Reconsider Permit Limits

Vecchio questions whether town should limit construction timeframe by restricting building permits.

A Kings Park "eyesore" that appears to be abandoned in midst of construction is leaving Smithtown Town officials wondering when to declare a project's time has run out. 

Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio asked town board members if they are willing to re-examine the how many times a building permit could be renewed. A building permit is often required to legally build, construct or renovate a building or dwelling in the Town of Smithtown.

John Bongino, Smithtown's Building Director, sent a letter to the town board that Crossroads Realty LLC is seeking to renew its building permit to continue construction on Indian Head Road. Their building permit expired in December 2012. 

It's not the first time Crossroads Realty is seeking to renew their permit. The two-story, steel skeleton has stood unfinished on Indian Head Road for at least a decade, according to Frank DeRubeis, Smithtown's Planning Director. The original design submitted was for an office building. 

"We apparently allow building permits to be renewed every year, and they can go on and on," Vecchio said. "Is it good policy to continuously renew building permits?" 

Town Attorney John Zollo said under town code section 112-11(e) permits expired one year from the date issued, and can be renewed only once for half the price. This allows a building developer or contractor a 2-year period to finish a project. 

However, town code section 112-13(a) says a building permit "shall be effective to authorize the commencing of work in accordance with the application, plans and specifications on which it is based for a period of six months after the date of its issuance." It then reads that the Building Director may allow up to two extensions, each for a 3 month period, allowing a maximum timeframe of 1 year to complete construction.

"I think we have a little bit of conflict," Zollo said. 

The Indian Head Road property is one of many sites in the Town of Smithtown where construction seems to drag on indefinitely. Crossroad Realty has received summonses from the town for failure to maintain the property, according to Vecchio, which are now being disputed in district court. 

Smithtown officials might have the legal right landowners to return the land to its pre-construction condition if a building permit expires, according to section 112-13(a) of town code. 

Do you think town officials should clamp down on the renewal of building permits and force developers to cleanup unfinished projects? Or should contractors be allowed to see a project through completion? 

Tell us in the comments below. 


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