Carmans River preservation vote Tuesday

Brookhaven’s town board is scheduled to cast a vote Tuesday on whether to hold a March 29 public hearing on a proposal to preserve the Carmans River.

Planning Commissioner Tullio Bertoli presented the Carmans River Watershed Protection & Management Plan to the town board Thursday.

The proposal promises to let property owners in the Carmans watershed sell “development credits” to build away from the river — with greater density than zoning allows. It creates 35 sites around Brookhaven to serve as potential receiving areas for dense multifamily development.

During a work session yesterday, Councilman Daniel Panico expressed concerns that the proposal could necessitate a tax increase — a charge Supervisor Mark Lesko adamantly denied.

“We have an opportunity to do something great — to save a river,” Lesko said.

The 10-mile river runs from Middle Island to Bellport Bay. The town must approve the management plan by the end of June under state law.

Tuesday’s meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Town Hall.

Above: A view of the Carmans River. (Oct. 20, 2010)