Steakhouse, neighbors consider compromise

Owners of a Smithtown steakhouse that neighbors say generates excessive noise are discussing a compromise with town officials that would let the eatery add parking while addressing residents' concerns.

The proposal calls for building a 10-foot-high earthen berm between Insignia Prime Steak and Sushi, at 610 Smithtown Bypass, and seven nearby homes. The berm would block noise from the restaurant and glare from headlights in Insignia's parking lot, Smithtown planning director Frank DeRubeis said Thursday at a meeting of the Smithtown Town Board.

Insignia, which had asked the town for permission to add 51 parking spaces, would be allowed to add 105 under the compromise for a total of 227 because, DeRubeis said, the 51 would not be enough. In turn, a buffer separating the restaurant from the houses would be reduced to 80 feet from 100 feet; Insignia had sought to reduce the buffer to 58 feet.

Residents and the restaurant owner's attorney said they were amenable to the plan.

The restaurant is owned by Boulder Smithtown Properties, which is controlled by restaurateur Anthony Scotto. His holdings include Watermill Caterers in Smithtown

Insignia is facing unspecified fines after the town issued a summons in December, alleging that the restaurant had parked cars in the current 100-foot buffer zone. The case is due in 4th District Court in Hauppauge Tuesday but is likely to be adjourned pending the town board's decision on reducing the buffer. It is not clear when the board will vote on Insignia's request or whether members will modify the buffer at all.

DeRubeis proposed the compromise plan to Scotto's attorney, Donald King of Kings Park, before a public hearing Thursday on Insignia's request for the diminished buffer.

"He did a good job," King said of DeRubeis. "He raised some good points."

DeRubeis said the berm, which would be built in the buffer zone, would be a "great sound absorber" and would be high enough to block light from the restaurant. "This buffer, we believe, is far more effective than the current buffer," he said. "There should be no . . . [headlights] in the residents' houses."

Neighbors, who learned of DeRubeis' proposal at the public hearing, said they would not oppose the berm but wanted to know more about the plan.

Supervisor Patrick Vecchio encouraged DeRubeis to meet with residents to discuss the details of the proposal. Addressing residents, Vecchio said, "If you guys are OK, then I think we have a ballgame."

DeRubeis said he would meet with residents individually or as a group.