Kings Park condominium plan: Smithtown officials close in on pivotal zoning vote

The Smithtown Town Board is expected to vote, by the end of January at the latest, on a proposed zoning change in Kings Park that would allow for the building of a $220 million, 288-unit condominium project, according to town officials.

The project, known as Country Pointe Estates at Kings Park, calls for building the development on 71.1 acres of land at the corner of Old Northport and Lawrence roads. The property formerly housed a concrete manufacturing and sand mining operation, according to town records.

More than 50 people attended a public hearing on the project Tuesday night at the town’s senior center on Middle Country Road in Smithtown.

Vincent Pizzulli, an attorney representing project developer the Beechwood Organization, said at the meeting the project would allow for more varieties of housing and more options for empty-nesters and young people. Building the condo project would spark “short-term and long-term job creation and will create a tremendous boon to the local economy,” Pizzulli told the town board.

Beechwood seeks to build 53 single-family homes, 153 townhomes and 82 villas on the property, Newsday previously reported. However, to build it, the town would need to change the zoning on the property from one-family residential use to planned residential development, which allows for more diverse types of residential housing, according to town code.

Roughly 16 people spoke at the hearing, with most of them supporting the project.

Jake Colletti, of Commack, said he supported the application.

"Beechwood has built beautiful properties around Long Island, and I think this will be great for the community. I hope everyone will agree," Colletti said.

Steve Paglino, a Smithtown resident for more than 28 years, also supported the project, telling the board he felt it "will provide more housing opportunities for people of all ages."

Michael Kettell, of Kings Park, urged the board to reject the proposed zone change.

“The size and density of the proposed development will permanently change our hamlet, and once that happens, there is no going back,” Kettell told the board.

Rocco Caporaso, also of Kings Park, said he didn’t feel the project would be appropriate in its proposed location.

“Let this guy find a place on Indian Head Road, and put all the condominiums he wants, we don't have a problem with that — but not in a residential area,” Caporaso said. 

After the meeting, Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim said the town board will take all comments under consideration and is expected to vote on the zone change either by the end of the month or sometime in January. Should the zone change be approved, the developers would still have to submit a separate application for the condominium project’s approval.