Town board approves modifications to Nesconset development
Smithtown Town Board met for its bi-weekly meeting at Town Hall Thursday, April 20. The meeting was sparsely attended with around 10 people present. All five members of the board were present.
The meeting began with a site plan presentation from Liam Trotta of the Planning Department. The site plan application was in reference to The Preserve at Smithtown, which is a development by The Northwind Group. Its website describes the development as “a new boutique apartment community located in the picturesque hamlet of Nesconset.”
“The proposal is for a revised site plan for the proposed increase in gross floor area of the buildings from 172,873 square feet to 201,323 square feet,” Trotta said, “which is a net increase of 28,450 square feet overall, in accordance with the recent zone change modification, and to allow the project to
be phased.”
Phase one would include the construction of the sewage treatment plant. The next phases would include construction of apartment buildings on the property as well as a clubhouse in phase four.
“The phasing will essentially allow the occupancy of the buildings that have already been built while also allowing the future construction of the northernmost apartment units,” Trotta said. “The applicant has agreed to six conditions of approval, and the Planning Department supports the project as well.”
The Town Board unanimously approved this proposal.
During the public participation portion of the meeting, St. James resident Laurie Kaufmann-Robedee raised concerns about the traffic situation on Woodlawn Avenue in the hamlet. “There are tractor trailers traveling down that road, every day, at very high speeds,” she said.
According to her, Suffolk County Police Department previously told her that they did not have the manpower to post an officer there each day to ticket speeding vehicles in order to mitigate this issue.
“I don’t know where to turn to stop this type of traffic,” she said. “I don’t want there to be a fatality. If anyone has a suggestion where I should take my concern to, I would really appreciate it.”
Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) recommended making an appointment with Councilman Tom Lohmann (R), who liaises with SCPD 4th Precinct. “He’s usually pretty successful,” Wehrheim said. “I would set up a meeting with the councilman, and I’m sure he would be willing to help
you out.”
Although the board meeting was scheduled for a possible two hours, it wrapped up after only 25 minutes. To watch a recording of this meeting, go to the website smithtownny.gov/226/Town-Meetings. The next board meeting will take place at Town Hall May 2 at 2 p.m.
