Town OKs exception for assisted-living plan

A proposed assisted-living facility in Nesconset has received a key endorsement from the Smithtown Town Board.

The board last week unanimously approved a special exception that could lead to construction of the three-story, 186-bed facility on Lake Avenue, which would be operated by Amber Court Assisted Living Communities. The company runs facilities in Westbury, New York City and New Jersey.

A special exception is required because most of the 6.7-acre property is zoned for light industrial use. A small part of the parcel is zoned for residential.

The proposal still needs approval from the town Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance from height restrictions. If that variance is granted, developers can seek site plan approval from the town board.

Neighbors of the property have voiced concerns about traffic that would be generated, and some have said the structure would be an eyesore.

To address that, developers have reduced the building’s height to 36 feet over street level, said Amber Court’s attorney, Anthony Guardino of Uniondale. The facility originally was to be about 40 feet higher than street level, he said.