Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Summary - March 5, 2026

The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Huntington convened on Thursday, March 5, 2026, to consider six public hearings and one other business matter. The board approved minutes from the previous meeting, granted five applications, adjourned one application due to a jurisdictional issue, and granted a one-year extension for a previously approved permit.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the February 26, 2026 meeting.
• Extension of Grant (ZBA 23241): The board granted a one-year extension for a previously approved special use permit and parking relief for Industry Market, as requested by Mr. Anzalone of Harris Beach, due to ongoing design changes that do not affect the original relief.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 23632 (7 Upper Pond Court, Centerport): Bob Lopez, a neighbor at 18 Upper Pond Court, expressed full support for Maryann Gilmartin's request to legalize existing retaining walls and a deck, stating she is a wonderful neighbor.
• Item 23597 (5 Shaker Ridge Lane, East Northport): A letter from the immediate neighbor at 3 Shaker Ridge Drive was noted in the record, expressing support for the proposed attached garage.

Discussion Items

• Item 23597 – Gary Reuter (5 Shaker Ridge Lane, East Northport): Request for a side yard variance (10.3 feet required, 0 proposed) and combined side yard variance (32.3 feet required) to construct an attached garage for classic car storage. The garage placement was necessitated by an electric line in the backyard and is consistent with neighborhood character. The board noted the neighbor's support letter and granted the variance unanimously.
• Item 23632 – Maryann Gilmartin (7 Upper Pond Court, Centerport): Request for a side yard setback variance to legalize an existing deck that is 2.8 feet from the property line (required 5 feet), as part of a lot line change application. Attorney Michael McCarthy presented that the grade differential and neighbor cooperation support the variance. The board granted the variance unanimously.
• Item 23568 – Deborah Yelvington / David Fine (40 Marcus Drive, Melville): Request for parking relief (8-space reduction from 338 to 330) and relief for three monument signs where two are permitted on an industrial property in I-2 zone. A traffic impact analysis from H2M was submitted. A board member noted the parking request is less than one percent. The board granted the variance and issued a negative declaration under CEQR, unanimously.
• Item 23614 – Mark J. Seelig Trustee / Adam Seelig Childrens Irrevocable Trust (44 Makamah Beach Road, Northport): Request to legalize an existing deck with zero side yard setback. The property lies in an erosion control district, raising a jurisdictional question: the variance may need to come before the Town Board rather than the ZBA. After several conversations with town counsel, the board administratively adjourned the hearing to May 7, 2026, to resolve jurisdiction.
• Item 23630 – Antonino Musso (9 Micole Court, Dix Hills): Request for retaining wall relief to construct tiered retaining walls exceeding allowable square footage (833 sq. ft. allowed, ~2,400 sq. ft. proposed) and less than 5 feet from property lines, to manage slopes and provide backyard space. No public opposition. The board granted the variance unanimously.
• Item 23613 – Barbara Batista (58 Turkey Lane, Cold Spring Harbor): Request to legalize an existing 7x7 foot shed extension that is 1.5 feet from the rear yard (required 10 feet). The shed was originally a tool shed built circa 1964, but has finished interiors and previously had heat/AC for musical equipment storage. The board expressed concerns about habitable features but accepted the applicant's representation that the AC/heater has been removed and the shed will only be used for storage. The board granted the variance with conditions: no habitation, no plumbing, no heating, no air conditioning, and subject to inspection. The variance was granted unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to accept minutes from February 26, 2026: Carried (all in favor).
• Item 23597 (5 Shaker Ridge Lane): Motion to grant 10.3 feet side yard and 32.3 feet combined side yard variance – Carried.
• Item 23632 (7 Upper Pond Court): Motion to grant side yard setback variance – Carried.
• Item 23568 (40 Marcus Drive): Motion to grant parking variance, sign relief, and negative declaration under CEQR – Carried.
• Item 23614 (44 Makamah Beach Road): Adjourned to May 7, 2026.
• Item 23630 (9 Micole Court): Motion to grant retaining wall relief – Carried.
• Item 23613 (58 Turkey Lane): Motion to grant accessory building variance with conditions (no habitation, no heat/AC/plumbing) – Carried.
• Extension of grant for ZBA 23241 (Industry Market): One-year extension granted – Carried.