Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Huntington public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
28 issues with medium priority
police substation at Mastic Beach library
A new police substation is opening across from the Mastic Beach library branch to boost neighborhood safety. Library users and nearby residents get a closer public-safety presence, and the library board says the community isn’t being abandoned.
Steep Slope Preservation and Flag Lot Access at 27 Dunlop Road
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.
8 Ruth Plat Subdivision and New Road Dedication
The town would accept roads in the Golf Estates subdivision and amend contracts with Chesterfield Associates for drainage pipe work on Westview Road and Essex Drive.
Huntington Village Parking Wayfinding and Traffic Flow
Parking meters would be free downtown from November 27 through January 2, making holiday shopping trips a bit cheaper and easier.
Mixed-Use Redevelopment at 1044 New York Avenue
A long-vacant commercial strip next to the Gateway property could be redeveloped into a mixed-use building with apartments, but a shared-parking deal collapsed when the neighbor sold. The applicant is returning to the ZBA for a bigger parking variance.
Preservation of wooded land at the Congregational Church (Centerport)
The church chose a transfer-of-density application rather than building a third lot, permanently preserving steep, wooded land behind the property via conservation easement — a win for the watershed and surrounding neighborhood.
Verizon self-installed antenna sites
Verizon is taking over installation of small wireless antennas from its former contractor, with its first three town sites approved on Burr Road, Randau Drive, and Town Light Road. Required neighbor mailings drew no responses.
Motorsports facility on East Jericho Turnpike
The vacant former Mini dealership gets new life as a motorsports repair and parts shop for ATVs and personal watercraft. A resident behind the Habberstad dealership worried about truck deliveries blocking Jericho Turnpike and noise, but the applicant promised all repair work indoors and Sundays closed.
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.
The Artery Revitalization Project
The town reviewed ongoing improvements, drainage work, paving, and mural installations in Huntington Village's alleyway known as 'The Artery,' backed by federal and county grants.
Storm Recovery and Power Outages
A brutal coastal storm just knocked out power for over 23,000 PSEG customers in Huntington by bringing down trees and power lines. Crews are hustling to get the lights back on, but locals are stuck dealing with outages and safety hazards in the meantime.
Weather Emergency
Governor Hochul just declared a state of emergency for Long Island because a brutal weekend storm is bringing coastal flooding and high winds. You should expect local emergency crews to be on high alert and get ready for potential power outages.
Board Appointments
Huntington just filled a few empty seats on local advisory boards, meaning new faces will be helping shape town policies. It's a quick update, but worth keeping on your radar since these groups quietly influence decisions in your backyard.
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.
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.
Tree Quarantine and Disease
Huntington is under a strict tree quarantine because of a deadly fungus threatening local forests. If you own property here, get ready for some major new restrictions on how you can handle and move wood.
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.
Church Property Subdivisions for Fundraising
Both St. Matthew's Church and the Congregational Church of Huntington applied to carve off portions of their land to sell as residential lots, helping pay for building maintenance and church repairs.
St. Matthew's Church Three-Lot Subdivision
St. Matthew's Church is proposing a three-lot subdivision off the North Service Road to create two conforming residential lots while keeping the church property intact. Neighbors and church representatives discussed buffer plantings and utilities during the public hearing.
Map of Wychwood Cluster Subdivision
The Congregational Church of Huntington is proposing a cluster subdivision on Washington Drive to turn three parcels into two, selling off a residential lot to fund major repairs for its 70-year-old sanctuary.
Drainage and Outfall Pipe Reconstruction Contracts
The board reviewed engineering contracts for reconstruction and inspection services on outfall pipes at Essex Drive and Westview Road.
Animal Rescue Hospital Special Use Permit
The Wildlife Center of Long Island applied to convert a storage building on Washington Drive in Centerport into an animal rescue hospital. While many town residents and businesses supported the project, immediate neighbors on Shawnee Street raised vocal concerns regarding noise, operations, and waste disposal.
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.
Blighted Property Enforcement in East Northport and Cold Spring Harbor
Residents brought forward long-standing concerns regarding severely neglected, vacant commercial and residential properties creating safety hazards and eyesores in their neighborhoods.
Greenlawn Center Two-Lot Subdivision
Tracy Edwards presented a request for a two-lot subdivision on Amsterdam Street to build two single-family homes. The board held a public hearing and discussed the historical background of the neighborhood.
Transit Strike
Train's out, traffic's about to be a nightmare. City officials are throwing together emergency shuttle buses, so keep an eye on your transit app if you've got a commute.