Mastic Beach to discuss new zoning panel

Mastic Beach's village trustees will discuss the appointment of a new zoning commission -- and could appoint the commissioners -- at the board's regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday.

The village, which formed in 2010, is in the midst of developing zoning codes to govern land use. But its first zoning commission, made up of village residents, produced a plan that was unpopular with many residents, and the trustees voted last Wednesday to search for new commission members.

Mayor Paul Breschard has said the village could appoint the new zoning commission tonight. The village must approve a zoning code by September per state law.

Trustee Bob Morrow said it was unclear Monday afternoon whether new commissioners would be appointed but that the issue definitely will be discussed.

Zoning is critical for the village, which was created in part to crack down on quality-of-life issues, he said.

"We should definitely take a long hard look at it and take the opportunity to improve the zoning," Morrow said.

The most controversial sections of the first zoning proposal concerned a planned waterfront development district, but many residents opposed construction on the waterfront. Those sections will likely be tossed out, Breschard has said.

The village should take a more conservative approach this time around, said resident Gail Cappiello.

"Don't rush into this as if there is a fire under you to get it done, because you can always change it piece by piece," Cappiello said. "To completely change the landscape of our village is not what people want."

Tuesday's meeting begins at 7 at the Mastic Beach Firehouse, 265 Neighborhood Rd., and is open to the public.