Developer resubmits zoning change application for Huntington town homes

The Beechwood Organization on Thursday submitted a new zoning-change application to the Town of Huntington to build 385 units of housing in Elwood, with no age restriction. 

In April, the Jericho-based company submitted a zoning change application to build the same number of townhomes and villas for those 55 and older, on a 55-acre parcel on the northeast corner of Manor Road and Jericho Turnpike.

That plan was withdrawn earlier this month.

The new plan removes the age-restricted component and earmarks 20% of the units, condominium townhomes and villa apartments for affordable housing. The affordable units will be available to eligible households, of all ages, at a percentage of the area's median income, Steven Dubb, principal of The Beechwood Organization, told Newsday in an email. The units would remain, as previously envisioned, for sale only.

“The new application proposes a non-age restricted community to increase attainable housing options for a wide range of families and individuals to remain in Elwood, to right-size within the community or to return home to the town they have grown up in,” Dubb said. 

If approved, the zoning would go from single-family residential to Garden Apartment Special District.

Dubb said the new plan also calls for expansive natural landscape buffers along Manor Road and Jericho Turnpike.

“The existing mature trees will be complemented by new plantings of manicured local species which will beautify Jericho Turnpike and the streets surrounding the community,” Dubb said.

The parcel is sandwiched between a tiny shopping center and an apple orchard in the Elwood School District.

A previous plan to build a shopping center on the site was met with stiff opposition from residents and was abandoned in 2018.

Dubb said developers changed the plan after getting feedback following the April 1 application submission.

“Our initial application garnered feedback via email, online and in general conversations,” he said. “We will be scheduling civic association meetings to get formal feedback on our proposal.”

Andrew Kaplan, an Elwood resident, remains concerned about development on the site and said the proposal requires a change in the town’s comprehensive plan.   

“The developer’s claim of ‘having heard from the community’ is quite baffling as they remain conspicuously absent,” he said. “I hope that any proposal is subject to a rigorous review for all ramifications including impacts to this sensitive land.”

Dubb said Long Island needs housing for all ages while the demand is currently unfilled and growing.