Quote:
Originally Posted by LIGuy1202
Actually, there are two petitions before the Planning Board: #1086 & #2012-04
What you failed to mention is that Story Book Homes, Inc. began this project by petitioning the Town in or around 2004. One of the current petitions is to extend the approval (again) already granted in July 2010 (after several years of working-out a plan with the various agencies) and the other is to add to the overall project.
So, public disapproval should have been organized 8 yrs. ago when it first came before the Planning Board.
The project, in part, is for the development of 66 one-bedroom rental units (est. rent: $1,300/mo.) on 5.34 acres of a 31.76 acre development. The other petition is for 48 one-bedroom units on various 0.4 acre lots.
I doubt these units are intended for families given they seem to be all one-bedroom units.
Whatever else one may say for or against this project it probably should have been said when it originally came before the Planning Board 8 yrs. ago. Considering all the "hoops" Story Book Homes has already successfully gone through over the years a few 'concerned' citizens aren't going to make any difference whatsoever unless they are *very* well organized with a *very* compelling, unified argument against the development which *significantly* is to the net benefit of the Town.
Given the frequent observations that there aren't enough affordable (legal) apartments on Long Island this project may be easly seen as another case of NIMBY-ism.
NIMBY - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[Note: link to George Carlin Youtube Video re: NIMBY removed....but check it out! Hilarious!] |
You are entirely incorrect. The plan already approved is for Nottingham estates with is a single family home development on .4 acre lots and adjacent to this property...unless you think it is financially prudent to build one bedroom apartments on nearly half acre parcels of land? I have seen the early and subsequently approved plan.
That plan was presented for EXTENSION, which was a separate agenda item and something the community is not averse to in light of the fact that it is entirely in keeping with the character of the surrounding neighborhood. So your condescension is misplaced. It also continues to be extended because we are in a recession...and if this domino falls you can be sure Story Book will be back to rezone the remaining 26 acres into a 300 unit apartment complex.
This is for a rezone of the residential parcel adjacent to this property. It has no place in the proposed location. The developer also has a reputation, which we will be presenting through pictures of his owned properties, of maintaining horrid rental homes/apartments, while his new building developments are pristine. This is simply a response to a recession and a money grab.
As for NIMBYism...none of the area homeowners hate apartments. The vast majority of us lived in one while we saved for our homes. There are ample areas throughout the Township where we have commercial blight and abandoned properties that would be excellent locations for such a complex and improve the area. But this is what happens when your Township has no Master Plan. There is no strategy on how to effectively develop the Township and address the type of smart growth we need to bring the right retailers in, and develop residential communities whether it be homes or apartments. Instead we add the 10000th 7-11 and call it a day.
This will not pass. We filled the public hearing to capacity on short notice and will be bringing 400+ residents to the next meeting. We have completed the paperwork needed to require a super majority decision from the board (if it gets that far) and have our online petition located at:
Petition: Town of Smithtown Town Board: Deny the ZONE CHANGE PETITION OF Story Book Homes, Inc.#2012-04 Nesconset | Change.org
We are putting together our own traffic study and environmental impact of this type of density and already landed in Newsday after the first meeting. We will retain counsel if we need to.
In the end VOTES matter. Between this and the Sonic uproar the Town Council members will know that support for something misplaced like this will assure they are replaced in the next election. They can be certain of not getting one Nesconset vote. We may not be Head of the Harbor, but there sure are a lot more of us hitting the polls than them.
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