Smithtown town officials approved a change in town code that aims to make the building permit and approval process simpler for developers.
Newsday reports Smithtown town board voted to approve changing the town code that allows the transfer of wastewater capacity rights from an undeveloped parcel of land to a property in need of a greater capacity, making the process easier on applicants.
Smithtown Planning Director Frank DeRubeis said the town adopted the transfer of wastewater density flow rights as part of their code three years ago. The code was designed to encourage development in ideal areas, while discouraging development in less than ideal areas - like areas of environmentally sensitive land.
Unfortunately, the code required developers to have at least two public hearings and a full environmental review before the transfer of density flow-rights could happen.
"It’s like we’re torturing applicants with the length of time," DeRubeis said.
The new code makes changes that are expected to speed up the process, reduce the town's administrative costs and developing a formula to help calculate the flow rights that the town currently owns.
Read more on Newsday [subscription required].
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