Planning Board Meeting - July 1, 2026

The Huntington Planning Board met on July 1, 2026, to consider a range of applications including site plans, subdivisions, a lot line change, and zoning board referrals. All resolutions on the consent calendar were approved unanimously. The board discussed two pre-application subdivisions involving flag lots and expressed support for two zoning board referrals involving adaptive reuse of historic properties and legalization of a mixed-use building in Huntington Station.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The board approved the minutes of the June 17, 2026 Planning Board meeting and the public hearing transcript for the Map of Cold Spring Development (June 3, 2026) by unanimous voice vote.
• Extension of Review Time: Resolution #1 extended the review period for the Nawabi Plat to September 7, 2026. Motion carried unanimously.
• Performance Bond Extensions: One-year extensions were granted for bonds related to 38 Dunlop Road, 62 Elm Street (f/k/a Jahier), Kornely Plat, Map of Eastern Hills, Bemiss Plat, Baylis Plat, and Old Orchard Woods Demolition, all nunc pro tunc to various dates in 2027. Motion carried unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Site Plan #1 – LaMay’s Tree Service 2024 (SP-24-10064): Conditional approval granted for demolishing an existing house and constructing additional parking on the west side of Depot Road in Huntington Station. The board noted no opposition was received and that the project had previously received a positive recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Motion carried unanimously.
• Site Plan #2 – 416 Park Avenue – Northwell Parking (SP-24-10040): Conditional approval granted for expanding an existing parking lot by demolishing an adjacent house. The project includes 10–15 foot buffers, significant landscaping, bollards along the fence line, and operating hours of 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM enforced by a gate. The board confirmed the buffers and landscaping are sufficient. Motion carried unanimously.
• Subdivision #1 – Gingerbread Homes (Pre-Application): Introduction of a three-lot subdivision on New York Avenue south of Jericho Turnpike. The applicant proposes a flag lot with access via New York Avenue; the staff had suggested an alternative access via Iceland Drive, but the applicant and board preferred the original concept after considering Highway Department concerns about snow storage at the end of Iceland Drive. The board reached consensus to proceed with the map as presented, noting that the lots are under 20,000 square feet. No formal vote was taken.
• Subdivision #2 – 9 Fern Place (Pre-Application): Introduction of a two-lot flag lot subdivision for a remnant parcel on Cuba Hill Road. The property consists of two unmerged tax map parcels, and the owner wishes to build a second house. Because the lot width is insufficient for side-by-side lots, a flag lot design is required. The board indicated they are willing to consider exercising their authority to modify lot width requirements rather than send the applicant to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance. No formal vote was taken.
• Lot Line Change – D’Amelio: Conditional approval granted for a lot line change that would create a conforming lot from two existing lots (one vacant, one with a house). The resolution specifies that the newly created lot is not buildable until a separate subdivision application is approved. Motion carried unanimously.
• ZBA Referral #1 – 175 W Carver Street (ZBA #23727): The board discussed the application for the former Huntington Post Office (Gunderman Insurance Building). The applicant proposes to retain the existing building, add a second floor with eight apartments, and expand the parking lot. Only parking buffer variances are requested; all required parking spaces are provided on site. The Historic Preservation Commission found the plan consistent with the building’s historic character. The board expressed strong support for the adaptive reuse and noted the parking buffer requests are reasonable given the site constraints.
• ZBA Referral #2 – Nivo Properties / 1598 New York Avenue (ZBA #23645): The board considered an application to legalize a first‑floor commercial space and two upstairs apartments in a former single‑family home in Huntington Station. Variances are sought for one parking space (de minimis) and parking buffers (existing condition due to lot size). After discussion, the board agreed to amend the recommendation to clearly state support for the requested relief, emphasizing that the buffer shortage is an existing condition and the property has ample front setback. The recommendation will note the Planning Board has no objection to the Zoning Board acting as lead agency.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar resolutions passed unanimously.
• Site plans for LaMay’s Tree Service and Northwell Parking received conditional approval by unanimous vote.
• Lot line change for D’Amelio received conditional approval by unanimous vote.
• Pre‑application subdivisions (Gingerbread Homes and 9 Fern Place) were introduced; the board expressed willingness to approve flag lot designs and asked applicants to continue working with staff and the Highway Department.
• For ZBA referral #1 (175 W Carver Street), the board supports the project and will issue a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Board.
• For ZBA referral #2 (Nivo Properties), the board will issue a recommendation supporting the requested variances, with language clarifying that the buffer shortage is an existing condition and that the board has no objection to the Zoning Board serving as lead agency.