Proposed development at abandoned Farmingville farm gets zoning change OK
A site map from the final impact statement of the land that will become the Arboretum development in Farmingville. Credit: VHB
A proposed residential and retail complex at an abandoned Farmingville farm has received key zoning-change approvals from the Brookhaven Town Board.
Plans for the Arboretum at Farmingville call for 292 residential units and a two-story, 24,000-square-foot commercial building divided equally between offices and restaurant space. The project has been proposed by Long Island-based Kelly Builders and Development Group.
It would be built on a 65.24-acre site on the south side of Horseblock Road, west of Blue Point Road, according to documents filed with the town. The documents show the property is mostly vacant.
The town board on Thursday voted 7-0 to approve changing the site's zoning to multifamily residence district, which allows apartments, and J business 2, which permits commercial uses. The property had been zoned for limited residential use and commercial uses such as a farm.
Before the vote, Councilman Kevin LaValle, who represents Farmingville, said proposed entrances and exits at the Arboretum had been modified in response to concerns raised by some residents.
Kelly Builders officials could not be reached for comment.
In a draft environmental impact statement, the developers said: "As the existing buildings and land conditions at the subject property are largely unmaintained and the site is underutilized, implementation of the proposed project would improve the character of the property to that of a well-maintained, mixed-use commercial and residential development, with public and private recreational opportunities."
The residential portion of the complex would have 51 single-family homes, 164 two-bedroom apartments, 63 town houses, 14 three-bedroom units and a 7,500-square-foot clubhouse for residents. A 7,728-square-foot sewage treatment plant would be built at the site to process more than 150,000 gallons of waste daily, developers said in plans filed with the town.
The development would include a 7.28-acre public park and 1.66 acres of ponds and additional recreational areas for Arboretum residents.
Homes would be occupied by about 677 residents, including about 77 children, developers said. Construction is expected to begin next year and will be completed in 2022.
Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.
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