Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Huntington public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
17 issues in zoning
Regulation of Secondary Habitable Buildings on Single Lots
Two accessory apartment applications cleared the board with preliminary approval letters — neither needed zoning relief, and both passed the saturation and parking tests.
Kite Drive Code Enforcement and Accessory Apartment Review
Two accessory apartment applications cleared the board with preliminary approval letters — neither needed zoning relief, and both passed the saturation and parking tests.
Residential zoning variances on steep and corner lots
The board handled six homeowner variance requests in one night, most tied to Huntington's steep waterfront terrain and legacy small lots. All were granted, showing the board generally supports home improvements when neighbors don't object.
Jill Estates Subdivision Yield Determination
A stalled 1990s subdivision on land left over from the aborted Northport-Babylon Expressway is back, now proposed at twelve large lots. A public hearing is expected soon, and neighbors — who petitioned against an earlier five-lot version — are likely to oppose it again.
Revocation of Accessory Dwelling Unit at 11 Jameson Court
Three accessory apartment applications — Greenlawn, Melville, and East Northport — got preliminary approval letters, none needing zoning relief or hitting saturation limits.
Coordinated Retaining Wall Replacement on Dickens Avenue
Four neighboring homeowners in Dix Hills teamed up to replace an aging, failing retaining wall system along steep rear slopes. The board praised the collaborative effort, which resolves serious safety and erosion concerns.
Map of Eastern Hills Subdivision Waivers
Residents and the highway department raised stormwater drainage concerns for the Map of Soundridge subdivision. The board discussed waiving curbs on certain street frontages while installing a catch basin and curbs uphill to improve neighborhood drainage.
Retaining Wall Code Regulations
Neighbors clashed with a Dix Hills homeowner over a massive, unpermitted 10-foot retaining wall that has partially collapsed and sits dangerously close to property lines. The zoning board decided to hire an independent engineer to figure out how to safely fix the wall before making a final decision.
Contested Retaining Walls and Drainage at 35 Hemingway Drive
Neighbors clashed with a Dix Hills homeowner over massive, unpermitted retaining walls that are nearly double the allowed size and sit right on property lines. One section already collapsed in 2022, sending debris and stormwater onto adjacent properties. The board decided to bring in an independent engineer to figure out how to safely fix or rebuild the walls.
SEQRA Compliance and Generic Environmental Impact Statements for TDFRs
The planning board debated whether transferring density flow rights requires a formal environmental review under SEQRA, leading to the board tabling the items to consult with town counsel.
Residential Variance Legalizations
Several homeowners on Luyster Street, Lenox Road, West 9th Street, and Second Avenue successfully legalized existing accessory structures, pools, and additions that did not meet current setback requirements.
Soundridge Unmerger and Neighborhood Density
Residents expressed strong opposition to unmerging three historical lots on Bayberry and Narcissus lanes, arguing that building three homes would increase neighborhood density and worsen severe stormwater runoff and local flooding.
ZBA Referrals for Commercial Outdoor Dining and Food Bank Storage
The planning board reviewed two Zoning Board of Appeals applications: one for outdoor dining and parking at a new restaurant on Jericho Turnpike, and another for truck and pallet storage for Island Harvest food bank on Spagnoli Road. The board raised no objections to either.
Accessory Structure and Retaining Wall Standards
The board addressed long-standing code violations and unpermitted habitable features across multiple properties, specifically restricting basement and accessory structure heights to seven feet and banning drywall in non-habitable areas like pool cabanas and storage basements.
Multi-Family Use Confirmation at 52 Prospect Street
The owners of a long-standing four-unit apartment building successfully secured official town recognition of their non-conforming continuous use, resolving a paperwork gap for their rental permits.
Lot Line Modification and Future Development Concerns
Residents questioned whether a lot line change between Tulip Street and Derby Avenue could pave the way for future subdivision or illegal rental units. The board clarified that any future building would require a separate variance and that code enforcement handles tenancy issues.
Commercial and Residential Conversion at 1598 New York Avenue
Nivo Properties is seeking to legalize commercial use on the first floor and two apartments upstairs at 1598 New York Avenue. The board discussed necessary parking and buffer variances due to the small lot size.