Station Fun Center Plan Advances

The  approved two variances needed by developer Brad Rosen for his proposed .

The plan calls for it  to open in the spot that formerly housed the  before that was shut down last year.

Rosen was seeking relief from the BZA to open a game center within 200 feet of a library. A branch of the is located across New York Avenue from the site in a building also owned, coincidentally, by Rosen.  He also needed a variance allowing him to use 18 municipal parking spots to meet anticipated parking needs. 

Rosen hopes to open the rec center’s batting cages and miniature golf course this summer if variances are granted and work can be completed. The center will have vending machines but no concessions. 

Neil Hoffman of Hoffman Grayson Architects presented detailed plans that revealed the starting house will be modeled after the Montauk Lighthouse. 

The BZA also heard from Rosen's security manager at length on his plans to keep safe not only the patrons but the nearby residents. Steve Mitchell, a Huntington resident and retired captain with the Nassau County Police Department, said that he's been retained to provide safety and one of the ways that will be achieved is by allowing for a live feed of the interior of the facilities on the gaming center's web site. 

Board chair Christopher Modelewski was as concerned with the safety of nearby residents and passersby as patrons. "I know I'm getting ahead of ourselves but curiousity is getting  best of me," he said. "With paintball outside, how do we keep the paintball cartridges from careening into cars and homes, etc.?"

Rosen's land use attorney Tom Abbate said that, more than a game of 'war,' the paintball was meant for target shooting and the guns are tethered.

The board paid particular attention to concerns created by the fact that the center will be located on both sides of Depot Road, necessitating decisions regarding the design of a crosswalk. 

Abbate noted that the site plan has been done in conjunction with the  town planning staff with special concern given in relation to crosswalk.

Traffic Engineer Wayne Mueller of RMS Engineering said that perhaps a textured crosswalk with varying sizes of stripes would be appropriate. 

The Planning Board will have final say on that. With the two zoning variances given approval, the plan is ready to move on to site-plan approval. 

Rosen, an officer of the Huntington Station Business Owner's District,  said that not only will his game center be good for Huntington Station, but it just might save Huntington Station. 

The town board recently approved a code change that reduced the minimum distance gaming centers and commercial places of amusement can be located from schools, library, churches, hospitals and other similar uses from 2,000 feet to 200 feet. The centers must still obtain a special use permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals, as Rosen did Thursday.