Huntington Sta. affordable housing debated
The official topic might have been 16 units of affordable housing in Huntington Station, but AvalonBay wasn't far from the minds of people attending Tuesday night's Town of Huntington board meeting.
A stream of supporters, including housing and community advocates, took to the microphone at the public hearing, speaking on a proposed zoning change to allow 16 units of affordable housing to be built on the corner of Lowndes Avenue and Columbia Street in Huntington Station.
"It will set an example in Huntington Station of what can be done and what should be done," said Zoe Taylor, a member of the Huntington Township Housing Coalition and Huntington Station resident.
While most speakers supported the Columbia Terrace project, several also rallied in favor of AvalonBay Communities' revised proposal for a 379-unit affordable residential project in Huntington Station.
The developer submitted the revised plans last month, after its original proposal for 490 units of affordable multifamily housing was rejected by the board after months of community contention.
"Columbia Terrace and other developments like the AvalonBay proposal are part of the solution," said Richard Koubek of the Huntington Township Housing Coalition.
Peggy Boyd of the Family Service League in Huntington called the Columbia Street proposal "the first of so much good happening in Huntington."
The project -- eight duplexes that each include a owner-occupied home and an accessory unit to be rented -- would be part of the town's "Take Back the Blocks" program, which changes absentee-landlord homes into owner-occupied dwellings.
The three homes on the property were bought by the town and torn down in October.
But Steven Spucces of Huntington said he didn't support either project. "High-density housing will not revitalize anything," he said. "When you guys [invited AvalonBay to resubmit a development proposal], you did not have our best interests at heart."
The town board must vote on the zoning change, possibly as early as next month.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 38: State champions On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra, Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson recap the the state championships in baseball, boys and girls lacrosse, plus Jared Valuzzi has the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 38: State champions On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra, Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson recap the the state championships in baseball, boys and girls lacrosse, plus Jared Valuzzi has the plays of the week.
