Town of Brookhaven Zoning: Pools, Land Variances Take Up Bulk of This Week's Meeting

The Town of Brookhaven Zoning Board heard multiple requests for yard setbacks at this weeks meeting.

Rongrants Associates requested a front yard setback variance from Portion Road and a height variance for a proposed 40-foot high, 144 square foot two-sided detached sign for their property located on the southeast corner of Portion Road and Ronkonkoma Avenue, north of Division Road, west of Hawkins Avenue in Lake Ronkonkoma. The hearing was closed and the Board has 62 days to render its decision.

Betty Heller, of 1 Gaymor Lane in Farmingville, requested permission for an existing in-ground swimming pool, which is located less than the required 25 feet from any overhead electrical wires. The pool is 12 feet from overhead wires on one side and 12 feet from overhead wires from the rear of the pool. According to Sal Malguarnera, who appeared on Heller's behalf, the violation was not discovered on the survey done prior to the pool's installation. The case was closed and the Board has 62 days to render its decision.

Paul B. Wolf, of 28 Knickerbocker Avenue in Holbrook, was granted a front yard setback variance for a proposed roofed over a porch. His property is located on the west side of Knickerbocker Avenue, 300 feet north of Union Avenue.

Edward Zbytniewski, of 131 Avenue B in Holbrook, was granted a front yard setback variance for a proposed roofed over porch exceeding the 4 feet by 8 feet permitted. His application was for one 7 feet by 7 feet. His property is located on the east side of Avenue B, 205 feet north of 5th Street.

Henry Cesaire, of 14 North 2nd Street in Holbrook, requested a front yard setback variance for an existing deck exceeding the four feet by eight feet permitted. His is approximately 6 feet by 20 feet. Cesaire also requested a side yard variance for a second existing deck. His property is located on the south side of North 2nd Street, approximately 79 feet west of Circledale Lane. His neighbor, Eileen Sweeney, requested that the Board vote against the variance as the deck comes right up to her bedroom window and privacy was an issue. The Board voted to close the hearing and will decide the case within 62 days.

One case actually received support from some community members. Ronkonkoma based Whitford Development requested a total side yard variance for a proposed one family dwelling on Scenic Hills Drive in Ridge. Barbara Filardo, who lives at 26 Scenic Hills Drive, asked the Board to approve the application as the vacant land was doing nothing more than inviting unwanted ATV and dirt bikes into the neighborhood.

"Let's stop their access. Nothing good can come from a vacant area. This has been going on long enough. The property has been vacant for six years," she said in her statement to the Board.

Another neighbor, Arlene Conte, had some concerns about an ongoing drainage issue but was assured by the Board the applicant's request would not make that situation any worse. The Board granted the application unanimously.