Huntington · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Huntington public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Motorsports facility on East Jericho Turnpike
The vacant former Mini dealership gets new life as a motorsports repair and parts shop for ATVs and personal watercraft. A resident behind the Habberstad dealership worried about truck deliveries blocking Jericho Turnpike and noise, but the applicant promised all repair work indoors and Sundays closed.
Commercial Property Use and Vehicle Restrictions on Depot Road
A plumbing office seeking commercial legalization requested a waiver for an undersized drive aisle width. The planning board supported the waiver given the low-impact nature of the business and existing lot constraints.
Island Harvest Food Bank Operations and Storage in Melville
Island Harvest sought official approval for its Melville headquarters, including overnight truck parking, outdoor pallet storage, a refrigerated container, and secondary signage. The board approved the request, ensuring the regional food bank can continue efficiently distributing food to those in need across Long Island.
Harley's Grill Outdoor Dining Expansion & Parking Relief
Harley's American Grill on West Jericho Turnpike received approval for a 550-square-foot seasonal outdoor dining space. The project required a special use permit and parking relief, backed by a traffic study showing adequate valet operations and on-street parking.
McDonald's Drive-Thru Redevelopment on Pulaski Road
The board enthusiastically backed zoning variances and special permits to turn a long-vacant bank at Pulaski Road and Park Avenue into a McDonald's with a drive-thru. Officials agreed that redeveloping the eyesore outweighs minor parking variances, though county road access will need approval.
Huntington Station Commercial Architecture Revitalization
The board reviewed architectural plans for a new retail building on New York Avenue and asked the architect to upgrade the design to fit the downtown revitalization goals.
Commercial Medical Building on East Jericho Turnpike
Developers received approval for a nearly 14,000-square-foot medical office building on East Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station. The project required a special use permit and business depth extension but fit commercial patterns without needing parking or lot area variances.
Deployment of LDC Fund Balance
The local development corporation is moving its roughly $500,000 bank balance from Chase to Hanover Bank to earn a better interest rate.
Children's Recreational Center Opening in East Northport
The planning board reviewed a special use permit application for a children's place of amusement after a traffic study was submitted.
Expansion of Commercial Food Shops and Outdoor Dining in Village Corridors
The board evaluated a request for a small Italian food shop with outdoor seating on New York Avenue, addressing parking demands and pedestrian-friendly village growth.
Used Car Dealership at 217 E. Jericho Turnpike
The former Rose Fence property is being repaved and combined with Ideal Automotive to create a used car dealership.
Gerard Street Valet Parking Lot
A gravel parking lot is getting proper drainage, curbs, and street trees to support local restaurants without causing messy runoff.
Huntington Village Parking Wayfinding and Traffic Flow
The town is applying for a Suffolk County grant to install decorative wayfinding signs and color-code municipal parking lots in Huntington Village to help visitors navigate downtown.
Medical Office Expansion and Parking Variance at 200 West Carver Street
A 50-year-old medical office building near the village center won approval for a minor 49-square-foot expansion, upgraded lobby, and monument signage. While it falls six spaces short of total parking requirements, traffic experts assured the board that ample street parking and municipal lots nearby will handle any overflow.
Industrial Site Plan and Parking Adjustments in Melville
An industrial property on Marcus Drive received permission to slightly reduce its parking stall count to accommodate modern waste management and loading zones, backed by a traffic study.
Industrial Redevelopment at 20 Bay Road
An abandoned pallet yard site in Halesite is being replaced with a modern multi-tenant industrial and warehouse facility, bringing significant aesthetic and safety improvements.
B2K Starbucks Retail Project in Melville
A developer wants to rezone residential land on Route 110 in Melville to C-6 business for a Starbucks drive-thru and retail building. Neighbors are worried about increased traffic, safety hazards, and loss of privacy, while union and business supporters highlight job creation and economic growth.
Elwood Shopping Center Commercial Expansion
The board evaluated two new businesses—a high-end coffee shop and a children's indoor play space—seeking parking and use variances at the Elwood Shopping Center. Traffic experts confirmed that the center has ample parking to support the new businesses without disrupting neighbors.
Auto Repair Facility Proposal on West Jericho Turnpike
An experienced local auto body shop owner is expanding operations to open an engine repair facility at a vacant rental car lot on West Jericho Turnpike, promising to revitalize a commercial space with minimal traffic impact.
Commercial Parking Relief in Elwood
A commercial property on New York Avenue received approval to convert its basement into office space, addressing parking constraints through shared layout improvements and traffic analysis.
Popeye’s Fast Food Restaurant Redevelopment
A proposed rezone from light industry to general business for a Popeye's restaurant drew opposition from neighboring homeowners concerned about traffic, noise, and odors.
Downtown Revitalization Grant Applications
The board reviewed several resolutions supporting Round 23 Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Grant applications for the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, Huntington Station BID, and Greenlawn Civic Association.
Commercial Shopping Center Conversion at 505 Route 110
A former furniture store is being converted into a multi-tenant shopping center with parking extensions and bistros. Outdoor dining was dropped, and thick evergreen buffering was required.
Town-Wide Food and Vending Concession Agreement
The board is looking at changes to the snack and beverage vending contract across various town facilities.