Zoning Board Gears Up For Busy Season

It is the time of year when Brookhaven town residents thoughts are turning to outside projects for their homes, which is keeping the Zoning Board busy with various requests for variances and permits.

Height & yard variances were requested by homeowners on Beaver Dam Road in Brookhaven , Michelle Drive in Coram, Tyler Avenue in Miller Place, Mt. Sinai Coram Road in Mt. Sinai, Catherine Street in Port Jefferson Station, Robert Townsend Lane in Setauket, Hawkins Road in Centereach, Emily Way in East Setauket, Maple Ave in Farmingville and Ruland Road in Selden.

New construction of single family residences were proposed for the vacant lots located on Sweeney Street in Patchogue and Main Street in Port Jefferson Station. The Main Street proposal was conditionally opposed by a neighbor who requested that the plan for the home be flipped so the driveway of the new property would be next to her driveway as the initial proposal had the driveway next to several of her bedroom windows and noise was a concern. The builder of the proposed property was confident the builder would oblige the neighbor's request and advised the Board a revised plan would be submitted at the next meeting.

A pressing issue for many homeowners were pool variances and permits. The Board has 62 days to make their decision, but Chairman Paul M. DeChance stated the Board would try to move quicker as this is the time of year for homeowners to make the plans to have the pools installed so they are up and ready once the summer arrives.

Pool permits were requested by homeowners on Maple Avenue in Smithtown, Ranch Avenue in Shirley, Tyler Avenue in Miller Place, Emily Way in East Setauket, Mt. Sinai Coram Road in Mt. Sinai, Grundy Avenue in Holbrook, Granny Road in Farmingville and Pearl Avenue in Holtsville.

Front and rear porch variances and one story additions were requested by homeowners on Beaver Dam Road in Brookhaven, Michelle Drive in Coram, Catherine Street in Port Jefferson Station and Grundy Avenue, Anthony Lane and Lincoln Avenue in Holbrook.

The Board delayed their decision for a variance for a pool house for a home on Beaver Dam Road in Brookhaven since a height variance was also requested for the existing barn, which was built 3 feet higher than previously approved. Several homeowners were seeking permission to keep closed in porches or first story additions that existed at the time they acquired the property but for some reason the proper permits and variances were not of record. The Board approved all of those requests without the need for further review.