If zoning board OKs eatery's plan some fear worse flooding

The owners of a vacant building in Smithtown are asking the town to ease restrictions so they can open a fine-dining restaurant in its place, but some residents warn about exacerbating flooding problems in the high-water-table area.

Co-owner Anthony Scotto wants to turn the site of the former Boulder Creek restaurant at Mount Pleasant Road and Route 347 into a high-end restaurant like Blackstone in Melville, also owned by Scotto, but an easing of restrictions would be needed to expand another 2,878 square feet on the west side.

The expansion, which would cost about $2 million, would maintain seating for 251 and would not require more septic pools. If the town board approves, the owner would still need a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for an outdoor dining facility.

Three residents told the town board at a recent meeting that extra use from the restaurant could worsen flooding problems in the area, which has one of the highest water tables in Smithtown. Over the past five years, thousands of homes in flood-prone areas of the town have had groundwater rise into their basements and on their lawns, resulting in septic and mold problems.

Residents recognize water tables are lower now because the town has been dredging and cleaning culverts along Nissequogue River tributaries, said Michele Huertas, a resident who spoke at the meeting.

Still, Joanne Greco, who lives near the property and in the flooded area, said, "We're afraid that it will have a negative impact on everything we've worked on."

Town board members said they think the restaurant project has merit, but are waiting to hear from the town engineer as to whether expanding the building's footprint would cause a rise in the water table.

"In my opinion, it wouldn't have any impact on the area," town engineer Ted Sanford said in an interview.

Scotto and his attorney, Donald King of Kings Park, said there will be less water used in the new restaurant because it will have fewer customers.

He said it would add about 40 jobs to the area, with higher pay than at a lower-end restaurant.