Public Hearing on Old Northport Road Zoning Pushed Back

Clarification: The business owners, Carlson Associates and FB4Realty, have requested the public hearing be postponed until Nov. 21. It is not known what future date Smithtown Planning Board will schedule it for. 

Despite the proposition of a compromise, residents and business owners will remain in dispute about the future zoning of Townline and Old Northport Road for a little longer. 

Smithtown Planning Board officials have granted Carlson Associates and FB4Realty's requests to adjourn the Sept. 5 public hearing on whether to rezone the 84-acre parcel to heavy industry. The business owners have requested the public hearing be rescheduled for Nov. 21. 

More than 250 residents attended the June 6 public hearing on the zoning issue, packing the Smithtown Senior Citizen Center to its capacity. Both theto the long-term conflict.  

However, many and willingness to abide by zoning codes in the future. 

"We have documentation over and over again showing violations of the environment, noise, and pollution. The credibility of the Carlson family, based on this data, is not credible," said Tony Haberman of Commack, part of the Townline Association, at the June 6 hearing. 

Bruce Ettenberg, president of Commack Civic Association, and Mark Rosato, Industrial Area chairman of the Kings Park Civic Association, stepped forward at the Aug. 14 town board meeting. They proposed allowing light industrial zoning with the permission of outdoor storage for business owners, provided noise and odor abatement measures were taken. 

Smithtown Town officials have h of the area and offer potential solutions.