Board members explain AvalonBay switch

The two Huntington Town Board members who opposed last year's AvalonBay development decided to back the project this time because its density was reduced, a proposed transit-oriented district was eliminated, and the community needs revitalization.

In the end, said board members Susan Berland and Mark Cuthbertson, the need for a $100 million economic boost in Huntington Station outweighed their doubts about other issues. Also, the development's density was reduced from 490 units to 379, and the proposed district built around mass transit was scrapped.

"It came down to, do I believe building an AvalonBay in Huntington Station can revitalize?" Berland said. "And I do."

She said she still has concerns about density, but she's hoping to work with developers to resolve them.

Steven Spucces, president of the Greater Huntington Civic Association, said at the Monday night meeting if the plan was OKd, his group would try to stop it in court. He could not be reached Tuesday.

Town board member Mark Mayoka, who voted against the zone change, said he had heard other community groups may join the action.

"My concern is that my colleagues' actions have negatively affected the board's reputation and compromised it because now we are going to be sued," Mayoka said.

Cuthbertson, a land use and municipal litigation attorney, said he does not believe such litigation would meet the standards needed to challenge decisions made by municipalities.

"The standard for a zoning change is that it's a legislative act and it's a much higher standard to undo a legislative act" in court, he said.

Monday's long and tense board meeting culminated with the arrest of Anthony Caruso, 60, of Huntington. Supervisor Frank Petrone asked that he be removed after several outbursts protesting the project. He scuffled with police and has been charged with second-degree harassment and disorderly conduct. Caruso was released on station house bail.

He did not return phone calls Tuesday.

Also on Monday night, the Huntington school board unanimously adopted an opinion that it opposed the development based on concern for the financial impact on the district.

Town spokesman A.J. Carter said about 20 phone calls had come in to Town Hall from people interested getting on the list for apartments.

"People are excited about this," Carter said. "Already people see this as something they want."

With John Valenti