Huntington delays key zoning votes for RozeWood Farm and Estate in Cold Spring Harbor

Huntington Town officials have extended the deadline until November for approving key steps that could allow a luxury spa and boutique wellness hotel to open on an estate in Cold Spring Harbor.

The town is considering two measures: The first is to designate several buildings on the property as historic. Then, the town can consider granting the 24-acre property Historic Building Overlay District status. If the measures are approved, the town can allow developer Hunebed Holdings LLC of Huntington to build a 23-room hotel and spa using existing structures on the property, known as RozeWood Farm and Estate. 

The developers "requested to have the supervisor postpone any vote ... as they continue to work on resolution of concerns by the public, and the supervisor agreed," town spokeswoman Christine Geed said.

Geed said in order for buildings to be included in the Historic Building Overlay District, they must first be designated as historic. 

Jude Rozenveld, a principal along with her husband, Jan, in Hunebed Holdings LLC, said in a phone interview the "extra time will only build the momentum of our very broad support network." She added, "We remain excited about bringing this very special property back to life as a retreat; a place where people step away from their hectic lives for a few days and rejuvenate." 

The property is west of Woodbury Road and includes the Charles A. Bateson House, which was built in the early 1930s in the Georgian Revival style, and the John Bumpstead House, which was built in 1835 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Only two other properties in Huntington have the historic overlay district designation, which was established in 1996, Newsday has reported: Oheka Castle in West Hills and the Hampton Inn and Suites on Main Street at the Old Town Hall.

During a public hearing in April, more than 70 people spoke about the proposal. Town Supervisor Ed Smyth adjourned the hearing to May 13 to allow more time for the public to comment. Those opposed to it say the boutique does not align with the character of the neighborhood and would bring traffic and tourists. Supporters of the measure said the proposal would help preserve the historic estate.

The board had until Aug. 11 to vote on the request, but the new deadline is Nov. 9.

On July 15, the board voted 4-1 to extend the time to vote on including the property in the Historic Building Overlay District, with town board member Brooke Lupinacci voting no. The entire board voted yes to extending the time to vote on designating buildings on the property as historic, according to town documents.

The overlay district retains the underlying zoning, which in this case is residential, but allows other uses to preserve historic buildings, Newsday previously reported. The plan would repurpose buildings on the property to be used for the hotel.