Town Moves to Shut Down Kings Park Businesses

Smithtown officials voted on Tuesday to take legal action against 33 entities believed to operating businesses against town code off Lawrence Road in Kings Park. 

Town Attorney John Zollo said he will be filing a lawsuit against 33 entities, a combination of property and business owners at 1 Lawrence Road, in New York State Supreme Court within the next two weeks. The town will ask the courts to permanently restrain all entities from engaging in business activities against the area’s residential zoning code.

“What prompted it is the failures we encountered in enforcement and the outcry of the people,” Supervisor Patrick Vecchio.

Kings Park residents have repeatedly complained of noise and odors coming from a myriad of businesses are located on a 44-acres of land off Lawrence Road. Town officials say it’s been difficult to enforce town code partially as it’s not clear where one property owner’s parcel ends and another business starts. There are no property lines or fences.

“One of the things I am hoping to do as part of this case is to get delineation between the properties to know which one begins and ends, what use is happening on each specific property,” Zollo said.

Jezco is one of many businesses allegedly operating against town code at 1 Lawrence Road. Kings Park residents have accused Jezco of using 18-wheeler trucks to haul mulch and debris, while leaving dangerous trash scattered around the property.

Kings Park residents at Tuesday’s town board meeting thanked officials for pursuing legal action.

“I just want to thank town board, Supervisor [Patrick] Vecchio and the town attorney for taking initiative with Jezco and the properties on Lawrence Road. It’s a big help for our cause,” said Michelle Garry, a member of the Old Northport Lawrence Road Task Force.

She said the task force is not trying to force businesses on Lawrence Road to shut down, but rather see the town’s zoning code enforced, despite recent media attention.

Kings Park resident Mary Ann Stephens made clear though that she and several other members remain opposed to the town’s consideration to create a new zoning code for this area of Kings Park. She felt it would reward companies currently engaging in illegal business activities.

“We are pro-business, but we ask the businesses to abide by the town laws we all live by,” Stephens said.