Plans Underway For Possible Farmingville Arboretum

Yesterday's Sachem Business Beat made mention of the Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce holding a forum for developers to speak about a potential open space arboretum in Farmingville. According to Farmingville Hills Chamber President Michael Wentz, the arboretum project is still in its planning stage, but would be part of an overhaul of 75 acres of land near Farmingville Hills County Park.

The Chamber listened to a presentation from developer Michael Kelly at last Wednesday's general meeting at The Flaming Hearth. Kelly, who arrived with renderings and overview maps of the proposed arboretum, illustrated how the open space would be situated.

"It will be located to the East, West, and South of the Farmingville Post Office," Wentz stated in an email. "This is located across from the white, one room school house that was built in 1850 and the Farmingville Hills County Park."

The open space folds into larger plans to develop the 75 acre parcel for single family homes, condominiums and possibly retail and commercial offices. The arboretum will provide those mixed use buildings with various trees, shrubs and plants, according to Wentz.

Wentz also stated that the arboretum plan coincides with the Farmingville redevelopment plan first created in 2010, but there are still significant hurdles to overcome, such as housing regulations and zoning changes that need to be approved by Brookhaven Town.

"Residents can find a copy of the plan by visiting FarmingvilleHillsChamber.com or Brookhaven.org," Wentz stated.