southshorepress.net http://www.southshorepress.net/2016/04/06/dan-panico-propses-rezoning-of-hundreds-of-acres-of-commercial-properties-in-morichescenter-moriches-east-moriches-and-eastport/

Dan Panico Propses Rezoning of Hundreds of Acres of Commercial Properties in Moriches, Center Moriches, East Moriches and Eastport By SouthShorePress

“This is one of the most worthwhile projects we can work on, because you get to change the tone for generations to come.” That was Brookhaven Town Sixth District Councilman Dan Panico referencing his proposal to rezone a five mile span along Montauk Highway stretching from Moriches to the easternmost extremity on the town’s south shore in Eastport. The proposal calls for a mixed-use of appropriate zonings including historic, residential and retail that would preserve the complexion of properties along the stretch which Panico says is now a “glut” of retail zoning. Under Panico’s proposed plan, over 100,000 additional square feet of currently-zoned retail/commercial properties in the Eastport and Moriches hamlets would be rezoned Downtowns will change if Panico’s proposal is approved housing and professional office use. Downtown areas would be zoned to J-6 which calls for buildings to be set closer to the street with parking in the rear. Houses would, for the most part, be zoned residential. “Right now we have a great number of inappropriate spot zones in the towns and along the by-pass,” Panico explained. The town board unanimously accepted a Draft Environmental Impact Statement where written comment remains open until April 7. What approval of the rezoning would essentially do is halt any future onslaught of commercial and retail development. “What we have here is a community of four sleepy hamlets, and we’re looking to preserve the historic structures and character of the area,” Panico said. “We have predominantly single-family development and a high quality of life and character of the area which is the reason people have chosen to move to the area. This is not Hempstead Turnpike and we’re not a high-density populated community with apartment buildings.” Panico said the time to act on the rezonings is now. Projects to rezone the hamlets in 1987 and again in 1996 under prior administrations were “pulled for a variety of reasons, maybe some of them political,” Panico said. “This should have been done decades ago.” This time around, the proposal has been publicly vetted where Panico says support from residents and business owners throughout the various hamlets involved has been “understanding and exceedingly supportive” in favor of the concept to rezone. “I think we’ve proceeded methodically to give the people a lot of information” Panico said. “It’s been an open process where I’ve met with people in the communities and at town hall and we will continue to do that.” Meanwhile, Panico asserts adoption of the plan will stop potential development of over 500,000 square feet of commercial space. “We want to avoid the retail sprawl which has plagued other hamlets,” he said. “There is certainly no need for what could be an extra 500,000 square feet of commercial development.” Two public hearings are being scheduled in July and September with dates to be announced. The hearings will likely be scheduled each with a hearing for the Hamlets of Moriches and East Moriches, and a hearing for the Hamlets of Center Moriches and Eastport, Panico explained.

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