Lowe's to Present Commack Site Plans to Smithtown Planning Board

Lowe's plans to formally present its plans to build a store on the site of the former Commack Cinemas on Wednesday evening. 

Town of Smithtown's Planning Board still intends to hold public hearings at 8 p.m. Wednesday despite forecasters warnings of a nor`easter. 

On the agenda is a public hearing for Lowe's on the site for the former Commack Cinemas.  

Lowe's purchased the 20-acre property of the Commack Cinemas Multiplex in May 2010. The 15-screen theater was closed in September 2011 after more than 30 years in business. 

The home improvement franchise submitted plans in February for a 187,925-square-foot store. It was approved by the Smithtown Planning Board in May. 

In October, Lowe's submitted revised plans that shrink the size of the proposed store's retail area by 21,925 square feet. The proposed building would be more than double the size of Commack Cinemas Multiplex, which was  71,700-square-feet. 

Frank DeRubeis, Smithtown's Planner Director, said he believed the company reduced its original building planning to avoid paying part of the $680,000 impact assessment fee levied by Suffolk County Department of Public Works By shrinking the building, Lowe's could cut that fee in half, according to DeRubeis. 

If Lowe's building plans gain the approval of Smithtown Planning Department, town board and Suffolk County Health Department, the company could begin demolition of the Commack landmark over the winter, according to DeRubeis.