Town Attorney: We're Not Demolishing Hightower Homes

An inspection on the Hightower homes completed by the town building department has declared that the structures are not unsafe, according to Town of Smithtown Attorney, John Zollo.

“Nothing in the report said the building was unsafe,” said Zollo. “We are not going to demolish, but we can make minor repairs. There is an issue about a porch patio that is a bit of a cause for concern.”

In the letter, the KPCA, said "these partially constructed homes do not have a certificate of occupancy, do not meet current building codes, and have been sitting vacant for a number of years."

Patch requested access to the building inspection report under the Freedom of Information Law. The town attorney’s office denied the request saying the release of that information could interfere with judicial proceedings.

“We understand the property is an eyesore for the community,” said Zollo. “We are making sure the building is sealed up. It is not something that is structurally unsound to be demolished,” he said.

Right now, Zollo said he is looking at tax payments on the property to see if taxes have been delinquent for more than three years.

“If taxes haven’t been paid, the county can take it back,” said Zollo, who also said that he believed that there was no longer a mortgage on the property.

KPCA president, Sean Lehmann said he spoke with the town council who told him the matter was still being looked into.

“We will stay on top of this matter,” said Lehmann.