Town of Huntington Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - February 5, 2026

The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Huntington met on February 5, 2026, to hear two public hearings and three other matters. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and unanimous approval of the minutes from January 22, 2026. The board granted one special use permit amendment, reserved decision on another, and approved two additional applications for outdoor storage and a gym relocation with parking variances.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from January 22, 2026, were approved unanimously on a motion by Mr. McGrath, seconded by Mr. Castagna, with no corrections or additions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• ZBA 23603 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Storage Containers: A member of the public commented about young people hanging out in the area near the storage containers, but stated the issue was unrelated to the containers themselves. The board noted this was a police matter and did not affect the application.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing #23573 – Domenica Palisciano / 181 Cuba Hill Road LLC: The applicant sought to amend Condition #6 of prior grant 22485 to increase the permitted number of children at the daycare facility from 24 to 36. Attorney Tom Abate and traffic expert Thomas Mazzola presented testimony that the increase would not adversely impact traffic or parking, as the facility is overparked and operates with staggered schedules. No public opposition was heard.
• Public Hearing #23610 – Francesca Chang / Kidropolis: The applicant requested a Special Use Permit to establish a 2,640 sq. ft. indoor children’s playground (commercial place of recreation) at 1730-1740 Jericho Turnpike in Dix Hills. Attorney Tom Abate presented testimony from traffic expert Ethan Shikoski (who observed similar facilities and found minimal traffic and parking impact – parking lot observed at 43% occupancy during peak, projected 70% with the new use) and real estate expert Michael Lynch (who opined the shopping center needs revitalization and the use would not adversely affect the neighborhood). No public comments were received. The board closed the hearing but reserved decision for two weeks due to legal notice requirements.
• Other Matters – ZBA 23603 – Dick’s Sporting Goods: The board considered a Special Use Permit under Code Section 198-11C4 to legalize two existing outdoor storage containers (approximately 320 sq. ft. each) at the Dick’s Sporting Goods store on Jericho Turnpike in Commack. The applicant made their case on the record. Discussion occurred regarding a possible condition for dark-sky compliant lighting; the board ultimately decided not to require it, leaving it to the applicant’s discretion. A motion to grant with an omnibus SEQR negative declaration was made and seconded; the motion passed (one board member appeared to abstain or oppose, but the outcome was approval).
• Other Matters – ZBA 23609 – Gym Relocation at 234 New York Avenue: The applicant, Mr. Brown, sought a parking variance of 31-33 spaces to relocate an existing gym from 231 to 234 New York Avenue. Testimony established that gym membership would not increase, and parking expert Mr. Muller testified that sufficient on-street parking was available (105 spaces observed at peak times). The board discussed the history of prior variances on adjacent properties, noting that the requested variance was reasonable and the gym would otherwise be unable to operate. A motion to grant with an omnibus SEQR negative declaration was made, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Public Hearing #23573 (181 Cuba Hill Road): Approved unanimously. Motion by Mr. McGrath, second by Mr. Castagna. The board issued a negative declaration under SEQR and granted the amendment to increase the occupancy from 24 to 36 children, with all other conditions unchanged.
• Public Hearing #23610 (Kidropolis): Decision reserved. The hearing was closed; the board will issue a decision in approximately two weeks (by February 19, 2026).
• ZBA 23603 (Dick’s Sporting Goods): Approved. Motion carried (one board member appeared to record a “post” or abstention, but the application was granted). No specific conditions added regarding lighting.
• ZBA 23609 (Gym Relocation): Approved unanimously. Motion by Mr. Castagna, second by Mr. McGrath. Parking variance of 31-33 spaces granted as part of the Special Use Permit.