Politics & Government

Proposed Outdoor Storage Facility Opens Up 'Floodgate' of Zoning Issues

Civic associations take united stand against storage facility on Old Northport Road; calls for town board to step in.

Proposed plans to build an outdoor storage facility in Kings Park have civic associations and business owners calling for Smithtown Town Board to step in and, once and for all, lay out a solution to zoning issues. 

Mobile Mini of Commack has proposed plans to lease 4 acres of property from Kings Park landowner Mike Cox on Old Northport Road to store up to 600 containers, relocating its business from Jericho Turnpike. 

In order to operate on the light industrial-zoned land, Mobile Mini went before Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday night seeking: a special exception permit for a trucking station, a use variance to allow outdoor storage on light industrial zoning, two interpretations of code and 12 variances. 

Under Smithtown Town zoning code, outdoor storage is not permitted on light industrial, only in heavy industry land.

Civic association leaders, area task forces and Commack School District  representatives stood united in their opposition to the proposed facility on Tuesday night, fearful about the impacts of trucking and what standards it could set. 

"The real issue here is whether the decision should be made by this board or the town board to address the zoning on a broad basis," said Fred Eisenbud, Smithtown resident and attorney representing Townline Road Association. "It’s a terrible precedent to have a change in the [light industrial] prohibition against outdoor storage through this process." 

Attorney Vincent Trimarco, representing Mobile Mini, admitted ,"there’s outdoor storage all around , whether it's legal or not." He argued outdoor storage is essential to have successful service business in town. 

Kings Park Civic Association and the Old Northport Road-Old Lawrence Road Taskforce have been involved in a lengthy battle against illegal businesses not in compliance with the town's zoning codes. Both fear if this application is granted, others could seek similar route to legalize their operations which create heavy truck traffic on local roads, noise, odors and community issues.

"The use variance for outdoor storage in light industry will set a precedent that will negatively impact area and could redefine the light industry category," said Sean Lehmann, president of Kings Park Civic Association. "It doesn’t matter if another property owner is utilizing outdoor storage, it is illegal." 

Debbie Virga, a spokewoman for Commack School District, said the schools are against the proposed outdoor storage facility as it could mean more trucks traveling Townline Road, placing their students at risk. 

Toby Carlson, owner of Carlson Associates in Kings Park, stepped up to support Cox and Mobile Mini's proposal stating the outdoor storage facility would be better than what's on the property now.

Carlson said also many Kings Park businesses rely on outdoor storage to operate, that there is a need for it in Smithtown. 

"The outdoor storage issues on Old Northport Road have been there for a long time. Whether by BZA or the town board, it needs to be resolve whether it's okay or not, " he said. 


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