Kings Park Task Force to Make Stand Before Town Board

A Kings Park task force is calling upon its members to stand together as a community for its rights before Smithtown Town Board on Thursday night.

The Old Northport Road Lawrence Road Task Force is asking all members and local residents to attend the Smithtown Town Board meeting to speak out against those area businesses seeking a change of zoning for their properties to bring their business activities into compliance with town code. 

The task force's new website issues a call to action for members and local residents, which reads: 

     "The town is working on changing the zones on the properties in order to accommodate the companies working illegally on these lands. This area is zoned light industry and much of it it is residential zoning. These companies are working heavy industry. if they change the zones to anything above light industry we will be greatly affected in many ways. Our Health; Our Safety; Quality of Life and our property value will plummet! 

Why the town and the DEC is working hand in hand with the companies working illegally rather than with the residents is a "pocket full" of a mystery. Shame on all of them for allowing these companies to continue to harm the people of this community and the land of Kings Park, NY.

Please support your family and your home if you are directly affected and if you live in the area, please help your neighbors and your community in any way you can. Your support is crucial. 

The town board members do not believe in community. Let's show them what community is all about!"

Task force member Mary Ann Stephens said the group's planned show of force is intended to show Smithtown officials the community is a united front. 

"I think we're all looking at it as an opportunity to show we are a large community sharing the same concerns that we do no want the zoning change," Stephens said. "It's time to let the town know how strong our voice is." 

Several Kings Park business owners have applications pending before Smithtown Planning Board and the Board of Zoning Appeals for changes of zone or a certificate for existing uses, including Carlson Associates, FB4 Realty and Anthony Leteri. 

The town in the midst of litigation with KPE II, who was denied a certificate of existing use by Smithtown BZA, that has been taken to state Supreme Court. Town Attorney John Zollo won a temporary restraining order to keep the business from carrying out activities against town code that has been in effect since March 4. 

Kings Park resident Michelle Garry said the task force is not sure if any of these issues will be addressed or impacted by town board's agenda on Thursday, as an agenda will not be posted till 5 p.m. Wednesday. 

"We are committed to attend every meeting, regardless of the planned agenda, and will always address the board during 'open forum' segment of the meeting," Garry wrote in an email to Patch. "I hope that gives you an idea of our dedication and determination to the cause."

Smithtown Town Board meeting will meet 7 p.m. Thursday at the 
Eugene A. Cannataro Senior Citizen Center, 420 Middle Country Rd., Smithtown.