Smithtown Notebook: Bamboo Code Amendment Rift, King Kullen Expansion Controversy

Bamboo Maintenance Public Hearing Divides Residents

Property owners affected by bamboo and bamboo owners addressed concerns of the proposed amendments to the town code. Both the affected and bamboo owners cited costs associated with bamboo removal would be burdensome to homeowners whether or not the amendments were approved.

The affected homeowners spoke of the costs and damages resulting from the infiltration of a neighbor’s bamboo, while bamboo owners said it was unfair to have to spend thousands of dollars to remove bamboo due to possible new maintenance restrictions.

The proposed amendment states, “No owner, tenant or occupier of property anywhere within the Town of Smithtown shall cause, suffer or allow bamboo to be planted, maintained or otherwise permitted to exist within ten (10) feet of any property line, street, sidewalk or public right of way."

The bamboo matter was first heard at the June 7 town board meeting where the board announced Thursday’s public hearing. During the meeting, community members spoke out of how bamboo has infiltrated their property, causing damage to fences, homes and more.

A full report will be featured on Smithtown, Kings Park, Hauppauge and Commack Patch sites Monday.

St. James King Kullen Looks to Expand, VFW Voices Land Concerns

Members of VFW Post 395, led by Commander Frank Todaro, spoke in opposition of the zone change application for a parcel of land needed for King Kullen in St. James to expand.

“We do not oppose King Kullen trying to expand their store, our concern is the way that they will expand the store in relation to our property,” Todaro said.

Todaro said King Kullen covers the northern property line of the VFW, and the expansion will encroach on their property. The commander is weary that the zone change to CB, or Central Business, will give King Kullen the right to build right up to the VFW property line.

Currently, the parcel of land King Kullen is seeking a zone change for is zoned R-10, or 10,000 square foot residential, single-family.

Smithtown Patch will run a full report on this matter this week.

Upcoming Town Meetings

The lone town meeting this week is the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, which will take place on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Eugene A. Cannataro Smithtown Senior Citizen Center.