Developer withdraws zoning change application for proposed housing in Harborfields school district

The developer behind a proposal to build 260 for-sale residential units in the Harborfields school district has withdrawn an application for a zoning change to gather additional comments from residents.

Jericho-based developer Engel Burman at Greenlawn LLC made the request to the Town of Huntington in January for the property on the north side of Pulaski Road, east of Greenbrush Court in Greenlawn. The request was to change the 24-acre property from residential to garden apartment zoning. The site currently is home to the Greenlawn Equestrian Center.

Engel Burman principal Steven Krieger said in an emailed statement Wednesday the company will resubmit its plan for The Seasons at Greenlawn after hearing from more residents.

"Broadening the number of stakeholders who have been briefed on the project is crucial when going before a government regulatory body and thereby demonstrate serious and comprehensive community engagement," Krieger said.

A public hearing for the proposal had been planned for Oct. 19 at the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School in Huntington Station. It had previously been scheduled for Oct. 12 at Town Hall. Town officials moved the hearing date and location because of an expected large turnout of residents speaking on the housing proposal and a hearing on abortion termination locations.

Engel Burman said the company had "substantive" discussions with individual stakeholders, the Greenlawn Civic Association and the community's first responders. In those meetings concerns about traffic count, the proposed architecture, preferences for community fire responders and community veterans, and the question of student/residential rations were addressed.

Engel Burman has said they selected the site in part because of statistics showing dwindling student enrollment in the Harborfields school district.

"This data reflects the realities of the cost of housing for newlyweds or young couples as well as many existing homeowners who are aging in place and no longer have children in the school system," Krieger said.

Town Board member Sal Ferro, who sponsored the public hearing resolution, said some residents shared their concerns with him about the project's density and traffic but others were "thrilled" to have new housing coming into the area.

"I think it's a prudent move on Engel Burman's part to continue their community outreach and adjust the project a little bit after listening to the community's voice," he said.

The current proposal calls for non age-restricted residences priced in excess of half a million dollars, the statement said.

Engel Burman anticipates creating initial preferences for first responders and veterans, the statement said. The proposed residential structures would be two stories, consistent with neighboring homes. The plan also includes 225-feet- and 270-feet setbacks from Pulaski Road to the closest residential building, the statement said.