Huntington Board Approves Melville High-Density Apartments Proposal

By Thomas Nothel

The Huntington Town Board voted to approve the controversial zoning changes that will begin the process of allowing 1,500 high-density apartments to be built in Melville.

Supervisor Ed Smyth, Councilman Dr. Dave Bennardo and Councilwoman Theresa Mari voted “Yes” to approve the zoning change.  Councilwoman Brooke Lupinacci voted “No”.   Councilman Salvatore Ferro abstained.

Board member Brooke Lupinacci said after the meeting that she was standing by her opposition she first voiced in the spring when the measure was first presented. Lupinacci requested an actual Plan, and an environmental SEQRA study, which the sponsors, Smyth and Ferro refused to provide.

“Let us be visionaries, but let’s get it right,” stated Lupinacci. “If you want to realize this vision, and I do think it’s a wonderful opportunity, it’s got to be done with a Plan and with experts.” 

Documents published by The Leader and Newsday show Councilman Sal Ferro (R-Commack) receiving millions of dollars from accused Melville fraudster Gregory DeRosa of G2D Development, who purchased four Melville office buildings and worked closely with Ferro on the Melville re-zone resolution. Those conflicts are a possible reason why Ferro abstained from voting on his own motion.

There were citizens expressing opinions on both sides of the issue.

Supporters say that building more buildings will reduce the number of vacant buildings in town, maintain a viable tax base, and address a housing shortage on Long Island.

Opponents say public resources – schools, sewers, water, etc. - are not sufficient to support 5,000 new apartment dwellers in Melville, and that the Smyth-Ferro proposal will overwhelm the local infrastructure and schools. They also questioned the lack of transparency and environmental review.

The Resolution calls for a maximum of 1,500 apartment units - plus an unlimited number of co-ops, condos and town houses.  The Town Board will review and approve each building development, and will “pause” for review after each new block of 400 apartments to reassess the local impact.