Politics & Government

Board Denies Cook's Proposal for Eased Restrictions on Detached Garages

Restrictions further clarified, garage size limited according to lot size.

The Huntington Town Board denied Councilman Gene Cook's proposed changes to the town code that would ease restrictions on detached garages at its Tuesday meeting.

Instead, the board voted to include a clear statement in the town code that free-standing garages cannot be used as living spaces, and cannot include features such as plumbing, heating, fixed stairs, interior walls, insulation or wall coverings.

The board also voted to limit the size of garages, based on the size of a lot (no more than a two-car garage on a property of less than a half-acre and no more than a three–car garage on half-acre or larger parcels); limit the height of accessory structures; and establish standards for measuring the height of fences mounted on retaining walls.

Councilwoman Susan Berland, who had expressed particular concern over Cook's proposed changes, presented her own amended version before the board for vote.

"He shouldn't have brought it in the first place," Berland said of Cook's legislation Friday, "but the version he brought I wouldn't support and at minimum he should have recused himself because you really can't vote on things that are going to benefit your own property."

Berland added that she thinks Cook's proposal to allow heat and plumbing within a garage sets the stage for illegal apartments.

Cook adamantly opposed Berland's revisions and denied her accusations that he had a personal stake in the legislation, adding that his intent was to make things easier for residents dealing with the building department.

"I worked with the planning department, the town attorney, and the building department for four months with the idea to make coming to the building department a little bit easier and have things clarified," Cook said Friday.

"It's a shame when you try to do the right thing for the taxpayers and you have the elected officials manipulating it and grandstanding for their own benefit."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here