Testing the Patience of the Suits

The Public Hearing for the proposed CarMax Auto Superstore at 1105-1115 Route 9 was reopened after being adjourned from the last Planning Board Meeting from a request by Mr. Frank Redl, representing Lawerence Farms. Concerns from other neighbors attending didn't seem to weigh as heavily as the issues articulated by Mr. Al Roberts on behalf of his clients -- that the updated plans had only been submitted the previous Friday, that the 4 foot waiver for the height of the light poles, despite the assurances by the CarMax lighting expert that additional louvers and new lighting technology would ensure that there is no light spillage onto neighbors property. Mr. Roberts also alluded to that while the code allows such use of the property, he didn't think it reflected well on the town. The CarMax project manager reviewed the plans to screen the property by use of mature landscape material as well as a block wall. Addressing the 12th hour request by the planning board, to add a sidewalk to Smithtown Road, the attorney for CarMax suggested that the issue of pedestrian traffic on Smithtown Road was not an issue created by CarMax - and adding a sidewalk to the Southside of Smithtown would require a new site plan that they have already invested many months and resources in -- addressing all the concerns of the Planning Board to that time, and that with drainage and utility pole issues - CarMax recommends if a sidewalk were to be installed, it be on the North Side of the Smithtown and CarMax would put some funds in escrow as a gesture of goodwill. Suddenly the Planning Board seemed very concerned about bus stops (no evidence of a bus stop on Route 9) and pedestrian traffic from the trailer home park across Route 9 (where one would have to vault across the guardrail in the median of Route 9 to get to a bus stop on the CarMax side of Route 9)... and tempers began to flare. Off to Executive Session they went. The board returned requesting that CarMax provide a sketch plan showing the impact of a 4' sidewalk on the Southside of Smithtown Road... and a new traffic study, checking the pedestrian traffic and the stacking of cars at the light on Smithtown Road. And the whole discussion moves to June 19... with the CarMax Lawyer providing a helpful reminder that use of the driveway on the Southside of the property could no longer be used as a driveway by their neighbors. The CarMax "suits" spent a long time in the foyer of town hall and the parking lot discussing. Their patience, as well as the owner trying to sell the property, is thinning as ideas and opinions pop into the discussion at very end of the planning process. If the project isn't desired, or infrastructure changes are requested -- letting everyone know that up-front, before resources are expended would go a long way in improving the town's reputation.

The Myers Corners Solar Farm team made another appearance, this time to get guidance on the height for landscape screening desired. It was agreed that the planner would prepare a resolution for the next meeting -- and the board can decide whether to approve the project at the next meeting. There is some concern that grants/funding will be affected if this drags on too long.

MidHudson Subaru is requesting a sign change at their 1162 Route 9 Property. Apparently people are getting confused about the Valvoline driveway vs. their driveway. Everyone mulled this over for a period of time and then requested the engineer to think about a monument sign and a smaller than requested sign (they are requesting one twice as large as the code allows). More to come.

Lawrence Farm prepared an Architectural Review application, requesting to renovated two storefronts at the 1083 Route 9 Location. The Board happily agreed and were visibly giddy with relief at a straightforward request for their opinion.