Environmental review covers three proposals under consideration by Town’s Huntington Station master developer
The Huntington Town Board, at its September 16 meeting, took the next step in Huntington Station’s revitalization by approving the Huntington Station Gateway Plan, the environmental impact document covering three sites under consideration for redevelopment by Renaissance Downtowns, the Town’s master developer for Huntington Station.
The three sites are all within walking distance of the Huntington Long Island Rail Road station and in close proximity to each other, allowing for a combined review of the potential environmental impacts of the projects: a hotel and office building across the street from the train station, at the intersection of New York Avenue and Railroad Street; a mixed-use building with apartments and retail businesses behind the Town’s Gateway Plaza at New York Avenue and Olive Street; and artists’ residences and display space in part of what is now a parking lot at New York Avenue and Church Street. Approval of the Gateway Plan allows Renaissance to take the next steps on each of the proposals, which could include site plan approval.
The projects are also near the proposed Columbia Terrace veterans-preference affordable housing development the Town has planned for the intersection of Railroad Street, Columbia Street and Lowndes Avenue. The Town hopes to break ground on that development early next year.
At the meeting, the Town Board also:
-- took action on three measures relating to the deer population in the Town. The Board approved an amendment to Town Code allowing bow hunting on private property, subject to State Department of Environmental Conservation regulations. The regulations will limit the approved area to Eatons Neck. A second resolution specifically prohibits bow hunting on Town property. The third measure set an October 6 public hearing on an amendment to Town Code specifically referring to deer management. The measure would permit various non-lethal ways to control the deer population, prohibit feeding deer and require prior notification to the Town and nearby property owners, in writing, before beginning bow hunting on a parcel.
-- approved an amendment to Town Code requiring the Department of Public Safety to inspect properties, upon request, to identify and confirm whether dwellings are vacant and abandoned.
-- approved an amendment to Town Code requiring any application before the Planning or Zoning Board that requires rescission, modification or clarification or covenants and restrictions established by the Town Board to be referred to the Town Board first for action on the covenants and restrictions before the application is considered by the Planning or Zoning Board.
-- changed the zoning on a parcel at the intersection of Depot Road and East 9th Street, Huntington Station, from C-6 Huntington Station Overlay District to C-1 Office-Residence District, allowing for the parcel to be developed as affordable rental housing for military veterans.
-- approved several measures related to Pit Bull Awareness Month, which is October. The Board agreed to waive adoption fees for pit bulls and pit bull mixes at the Town Animal Shelter. The Board also approved entering into an agreement with the League for Animal Protection and the North shore Veterinary Hospital to provide free spaying or neutering of pit bulls and pit bull mixes during the month.
--went on record officially opposing a New York State proposal to build an expanded rest stop facility between Exits 51 and 52 of the Long Island Expressway and urged the State Transportation Department to stick to its original plan to build the facility at Exit 67.
-- authorized the appropriation of money from the Environmental Open Space and Park Fund for traffic safety improvements on Bellerose Avenue in East Northport (not to exceed $20,000) and for part of the development and construction of Burr’s Lane and Sweet Hollow Parks (not to exceed $500,000 for each park).
-- authorized a $2.46 million contract with Atlantic Coast Dock Construction Corp. for the reconstruction of the Halesite Marina bulkhead.
-- approved an agreement with the Village of Northport to perform in-house road rehabilitation and snow and ice control series on specified roadways and permit sharing of services as economy and necessity dictates. The town has entered into similar agreements with Asharoken and Huntington Bay.
-- authorized the Supervisor to apply for and receive funding from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to hold Brain Gym classes at the Town’s adult day care center. Brain Gym supports an individual’s joy of living and learning through 26 simple, safe and effective exercises that can improve performance in focus, organization, mental clarity, emotional balance, communication, comprehension and whole body coordination.
-- authorized a special, one-day $25 a person greens fee at the Crab Meadow Golf Course on October 21 as part of the course’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.
-- proclaimed October 6 as Organ Enrollment Day in the Town.
Supervisor Frank P. Petrone also presented his proposed 2016 budget. The Board set a public hearing on the proposal for 6 p.m. on October 6.