Lawrence Road Study Proposes New Zoning Code, Expansion of Industrial Area

A study regarding future zoning of the Lawrence Road area in Kings Park was completed last week and recommends a creation of a new zoning code that would triple the buildable industrial area.

Baldassano Architecture, a Patchogue-based firm that carried out the $20,000 study, is recommending to convert the existing 126.4 acres of Residential acreage (R-21) and the Light Industrial parcels (LI) parcels to a proposed industrial and outdoor storage zone (IS).

According to the report, “this IS district identifies allowable uses for these sites and are expected to control future growth and development.”

According to Frank DeRubeis, director of Smithtown Planning, the proposed IS zone is a new hybrid zoning code between light industry and heavy industry. 

Within the new industrial and outdoor storage zone, Baldassano Architecture proposed the following businesses be allowed to operate: 

• Offices or medical offices;
• Light Industrial and warehouse use;
• Research and development;
• Agriculture, nursery or tree farm; 
• Commercial poultry farm;
• Animal husbandry, care or training; 
• Park, playground or nature preserve;
• Fitness center, gymnasium and sports facilities; 
• Mini-storage warehouse, portable storage on demand; 
• Wholesale businesses or distributors; 
• Outdoor storage of equipment, materials or vehicles; 
• Outdoor sports, ball fields and recreation; 
• Non-nuisance industry.

In addition, businesses would be allowed to have small, limited retail front as part of a larger business or company.  

“I am not going to be negative about what’s being proposed,” said DeRubeis. “The devil is in the details in terms of what is going to happen here or won’t be happening here.”

Residents have long complained about noise and odor in the area. The Kings Park Civic Association, as part of the Community Air Screen Program began collecting air samples in September to be sent to the Department of Environmental Conservation. 

“The smell started about 2-3 months ago is getting worse each week,” said Lisa Inzerillo in an email to Patch on Monday. Inzerillo, a Kings Park resident who lives blocks from Lawrence Road hadn't noticed the smell until recently. “The smell comes on strong on Thursdays and Fridays. It is now inside our homes.”

Inzerillo said a flyer was placed in her mailbox Friday with information on how to contact the town and the DEC with complaints and concerns.

The town board is expected to discuss the study at their Tuesday meeting. 

“I’m going to be discussing this with the town board tomorrow,” said DeRubeis. “I’m kind of hedging my words, as I don’t want something to be taken out of context - I have basic reservations about the amount of zoning being called for in the report. I have some issues with regard to some of the amendments being proposed and what their affect might be.”

Additional reporting by Patch editor Sara Walsh.