County Planning Board Approves AvalonBay Rezoning Request

Despite the protests of many, the AvalonBay project cleared another hurdle Wednesday in Riverhead but remains far from final approval in Huntington.

By an 11-0 vote, the Suffolk County Planning Commission granted a rezoning change, from R-7 single-family type to R3M, clearing the way for possible construction of 379 housing units — with one condition:

The Huntington Town Board must direct the developer to consult county guidelines regarding energy efficiency and public safety or face a super-majority town vote to advance the project.

"From a regional perspective, this makes some sense with the condition we put on it," said planning board chairman David Calone. If the condition is met by the town, a simple majority vote is all that is required to proceed, he said.

The required condition helps ensure county energy efficiency and public safety principles are considered in development plans, said Calone. 

On her first day on the job, new planning board member Jennifer Casey of Huntington voted to move the project forward.

"I think this is a really good project, I support it," said Casey, sworn in at the start of the meeting along with William Schoolman.

But final approval of the project is far from over.

If the proposal clears the next town vote, it will return to the county for site plan approval.

Dozens of Huntington residents made their way to the Evans K. Griffing Building to voice opinions regarding the project — some for, some against.

"How are you going to develop the community if you constantly say no?" said Dolores Thompson, a 65-year resident in favor of the plan.  Like Thompson, others said the project is necessary for revitalization of Huntington Station.

"It's time for us to make a move," said Basil Walters. "AvalonBay is going to be a positive thing for the community."

Huntington Town Board member Mark Mayoka and Huntington School Board member Elizabeth Black and others opposed the project.

"We need an integrated comprehensive plan, not a piecemeal approach," said Mayoka.

Black suggested the county do what the town could not — "deny the application."

Residents voiced their concerns regarding possible traffic ramifications, the cost of the proposed housing units, environmental impact and the motives of developers and land owners involved.

The county added seven comments to the AvalonBay rezoning approval which suggested:

1. A town-wide housing analysis to implement thresholds and standards for higher density, affordable and rental housing distribution.

2. Elimination of land bank parking within the ponds.

3. Green storm water management methodologies.

4. An established town nexus "between the proposed increase in density associated with the application and the preservation of open space, or a one-for-one density offset consistent with commission policy."

5. Traffic signal mitigation at the intersection of 5th and Park Avenues to improve traffic flow.

6. Installation of an emergency access on the property.

7. A bus shelter and route to serve the development, if approved by Huntington Area Rapid Transit.

Calone said the county will review how the town and project developers respond to the comments if the proposal returns to the county for review.

The proposal now moves to the Huntington town board for further consideration.