Huntington Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - January 22, 2026

The Zoning Board of Appeals for the Town of Huntington met on January 22, 2026, to conduct multiple public hearings on variance and special use permit requests, including a contentious application for a gym parking variance. The board also approved several routine items and extensions.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from January 8, 2026 (motion by Mr. McGrath, second by Mr. Castagna) and from January 15, 2026 (motion by Mr. Basso, second by Mr. Capodanno).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing #23603 (Dick’s Sporting Goods – Storage Containers): Robert Gerardi, a resident of 2 Arrow Place, opposed the special use permit to legalize two existing storage containers at 5900-6060 Jericho Turnpike, Commack. He stated that the containers create a space where people sleep, hang out, and engage in unsavory activities, and that the store manager was aware of issues for five years. He noted a homeless person had camped there, and that police were called but could not force removal. He expressed that the containers are an attractive nuisance and that lighting is poor.
• Public Hearing #23609 (Energy Fitness Gym – Parking Variance): Multiple residents of Lake Place and Gibson Avenue spoke in opposition to the requested 33-space parking variance for a gym relocation at 234 New York Avenue, Huntington. Lisa Fashilla (40 Gibson Avenue) argued that 33 additional spots would be an excessive burden on the residential neighborhood, as parking is already limited. James Telling Doe (18 Lake Place) noted a recent increase in parking due to a Pilates studio and brewery, and expressed safety concerns for children at bus stops. Linda Deanna (14 Lake Place) stated that daily parking difficulties have worsened, with cars parked on both sides of the street, impeding emergency vehicles and endangering pedestrians, including her special needs child. Camilla Deanna (14 Lake Place) described the difficulty of finding parking as a resident, noting that safety issues have become routine. Tracy Taliento (18 Lake Place) reported an incident where a driver rear-ended a neighbor’s car while maneuvering, and emphasized that the morning gym peak (8-10 a.m.) coincides with children waiting for school buses. Luca Diana (14 Lake Place) echoed concerns about street congestion and safety.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing #23617 (139 11th Avenue – Accessory Structure): The hearing was adjourned to March 26, 2026, at the applicant’s request. No testimony or discussion.
• Public Hearing #23603 (Dick’s Sporting Goods – Storage Containers): Attorney Michael McCarthy for the applicant explained that the two 320 sq. ft. storage containers are used for inventory (large bulk items like kayaks, treadmills) and are locked at night, well-lit, and monitored. He noted that he received one call from a neighbor opposed, but the landlord and store manager were unaware of ongoing issues. Traffic consultant Wayne Muller and engineer Chris Robinson submitted reports. The board discussed installing motion sensor lights as a deterrent. The hearing was closed, and decision reserved for two weeks.
• Public Hearing #23579 (126 Cuba Hill Road – Front Porch Relief): Attorney Abbate for Joseph Iaquinto explained that a pre-existing non-conforming house (built before 1934) had been granted setback relief in 2023 for a subdivision. The building department now disputes the front yard setback dimension, claiming 8.83 ft instead of the granted 14.7 ft. The applicant seeks front yard relief to legalize the existing porch. No public comment. The board noted the porch has existed for a long time and that the issue is a condition precedent for site plan approval. Motion to grant by Ms. Whelan, second by Mr. Castagna; unanimously approved.
• Public Hearing #23619 (1083 Westminster Avenue – Side Yard Relief): Michael Elkins (former owner) and new owner Sukhpreet Kaur requested side yard relief to legalize an existing two-story addition built approximately 23 years ago. The addition requires a 25-ft side setback but current condition has existed without complaints. No public comment. Motion to grant by Mr. Basso, second by Mr. White; unanimously approved.
• Public Hearing #23611 (14 Estate Circle – Retaining Wall Relief): Attorney Michael McCarthy for Jill Cruz and Angela Vicari requested variances for retaining wall square footage (2,276 sq. ft. proposed vs. 791.47 allowed) and setback (7 ft proposed vs. 10 ft required) for a pool and patio. The property is 0.77 acres in an R-80 zone due to equestrian land preservation, creating non-conformity. The walls are only 4-5 ft high. A neighbor (Driftwood Day Camp) provided a letter of support. No public comments. The board acknowledged the need due to lot size. Motion to grant by Mr. Castagna, second by Ms. Whelan; unanimously approved.
• Public Hearing #23503 (20 Woodedge Drive – Accessory Garage Relief): Attorney Ryan Brown for Viviani Lopes Boggio requested variances for a 748 sq. ft. detached garage (reduced from 936 sq. ft.), a 1-inch height variance (20 ft 1 in vs. 20 ft allowed), and a retaining wall setback of 0 ft (10 ft required). The attached garage will be converted to living space, reducing total garage stalls from five to three. The retaining wall is on the opposite side of the property, and the neighbor signed a boundary line agreement and supports the project. No public comment. Motion to grant by Mr. Capodanno, second by Mr. White; unanimously approved.
• Public Hearing #23609 (Energy Fitness Gym – Parking Variance): Attorney Keith Brown for applicant Michael Tucci (Energy Fitness) requested a parking variance of 33 spaces (reduced from 39) to relocate the existing gym from 224 to 234 New York Avenue. The subject property (7,647 sq. ft.) has no on-site parking and was formerly an Oriental rug store. The gym is a boutique facility catering to local residents. The rooftop amenity was withdrawn. Traffic expert Wayne Muller testified that the gym's peak hours (6:30-10:30 a.m.) are before village parking demand peaks, and that the adjacent municipal lot (430 ft away) gained 30 spaces after the Chase Bank demolition. He argued that moving the gym 100 ft south makes parking on Lake Place less attractive. The board noted that any use of the building would require a parking variance due to its age and lack of parking, and that a restaurant would require 154 spaces. The applicant offered a gentleman’s agreement for employee parking at the Burger King across the street. The hearing was closed; decision reserved for two weeks.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Unanimously:
  • Public Hearing #23579 (126 Cuba Hill Road): Front yard relief to legalize existing porch.
  • Public Hearing #23619 (1083 Westminster Avenue): Side yard relief to legalize second-story addition.
  • Public Hearing #23611 (14 Estate Circle): Retaining wall square footage and setback relief.
  • Public Hearing #23503 (20 Woodedge Drive): Garage footprint, height (1-inch), and retaining wall setback relief.
• Decisions Reserved:
  • Public Hearing #23603 (Dick's Sporting Goods): Board will decide in two weeks; potential condition of motion sensor lights.
  • Public Hearing #23609 (Energy Fitness Gym): Board will decide in two weeks.
• Adjourned: Public Hearing #23617 (139 11th Avenue) to March 26, 2026.
• Extensions Granted:
  • ZBA 23094 (Salem Abraham – house of worship conversion): One-year extension to July 2026 (grant expired July 2024).
  • ZBA 23394 (Goldstein – restaurant parking relief): One-year extension to 2027 (grant not yet expired).
• Preliminary Approvals: Two accessory apartment applications (ADU 1675, 11 Mara Road; ADU 693, 98 Lennox Road) received standard preliminary letters of approval subject to Suffolk County Health Department review.
• Next Meeting: Thursday, February 5, 2026.