Brookhaven, Port Jefferson weigh annexation decision

Brookhaven Town and Port Jefferson Village officials are expected to decide within three months whether to transfer a Port Jefferson Station neighborhood to the village's jurisdiction to pave the way for a 48-unit apartment complex that town officials had sought to block.

The town and village held a rare joint meeting last week at Brookhaven Town Hall in Farmingville to consider a developer's request for the transfer, known as an annexation, as he pursues approval of the Brook Meadows complex on Baylis Avenue in Port Jefferson Station.

If the annexation is approved, the 5.6-acre Brook Meadows site and four other residential properties would become part of the village.

Town zoning restricts the Brook Meadows property to industrial uses, such as warehouses, storage units or community centers, Brookhaven officials have said. Port Jefferson officials would be free to create different zoning to allow housing if the land is transferred to the village. Port Jefferson has not taken a formal position on Brook Meadows or annexation.

Most of the about two dozen people who addressed the town and village boards Thursday spoke in favor of the apartment project, saying it would supply badly needed housing.

Brookhaven officials, in their opposition to Brook Meadows, have said it would be too close to the former Lawrence Aviation Industries, where officials hope to develop a Long Island Rail Road depot.

The developer, Jim Tsunis, of Hauppauge-based Northwind Group, has said he sought annexation to support village revitalization.

3½-hour hearing

Tsunis, speaking at the 3½-hour hearing, said village officials should control development in the neighborhood because "the village residents are most impacted by what happens on this property."

Opponents, including leaders of some nearby civic associations, said moving Baylis Avenue to the village would encourage developers to do what they called "municipality shopping" when the town doesn't approve their projects.

Brookhaven Town Attorney Annette Eaderesto told Newsday the town and village boards have 90 days to cast separate votes on Tsunis' request. Both boards must vote for annexation for the transfer to occur, she said.

Tsunis may challenge the votes if there is a split decision, Eaderesto said.

State law allows municipalities to transfer properties with the approval of both jurisdictions.

Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico said the last annexation involving Brookhaven and Port Jefferson was in 1978. The town transferred Ho Hum Beach on Fire Island to the Village of Bellport in 2018.

At Thursday's meeting, Port Jefferson Mayor Lauren Sheprow and the village's four trustees joined Panico and the town council to hear arguments for and against annexation. 

Panico and Sheprow did not announce when their respective boards would vote on the request.

Few of the 25 speakers addressed the annexation issue, instead speaking for or against Brook Meadows.

Supporters, opponents speak

The project received support from former village officials, the Long Island Builders Institute trade group and LIRR union leader Anthony Simon, who said the development would boost ridership at the Port Jefferson train station.

Other supporters said they preferred apartments over other potential uses such as lumber yards or industrial storage.

"We don't need another warehouse," said Donna Karatas, of Middle Island. "Even if they built an empty Taj Mahal, it's better than a warehouse."

Joseph Collins, of Port Jefferson, described Baylis Avenue as a rundown area in need of improvement.

"The best way to get rid of weeds is to grow grass," he said.

But Suffolk County Legis. Steven Engelbright (D-Setauket) said approving the annexation would set a "terrible precedent" and the housing project would be "harmful to the environment."

Some opponents said the Brook Meadows site was too near industrial properties and train tracks.

"While we do need housing, I think we really need to be careful with properties like this one," said George Hoffman, a past president of the Three Village Civic Association in nearby Setauket and Stony Brook.

The Suffolk County Planning Commission in October 2023 recommended the town reject the apartments, finding the housing would be "incongruous" with nearby industrial properties.

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

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.