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Board rezones Selden property to L‑1 for proposed two‑story self‑storage; neighbors to get screening
Summary
The town board approved a change of zone for a 1.68‑acre property on Middle Country Road in Selden to L‑1 (light industrial) to permit a two‑story self‑storage warehouse, with the applicant agreeing to landscaping and gated security; the Selden Civic Association offered support and planners noted traffic impacts would be low.
The Town of Brookhaven on March 25 approved a change of zone from J Business 2 and Residence 1 to L Industrial 1 for a 1.68‑acre parcel on Middle Country Road in Selden to allow construction of a two‑story self‑storage warehouse with elevator access and associated site improvements.
Project description and planning staff statement Planning Director Don Hoehn told the board the site is surrounded by commercial uses along Middle Country Road and residential properties to the south, and that Suffolk County deemed the matter a local determination. The applicant described plans for an approximately 99,418‑square‑foot (two‑story total) self‑storage facility with gated access, security cameras and access control codes. The proposal calls for substantial new landscaping along Middle Country Road and a 25‑foot rear yard buffer toward the existing residences.
Community outreach and civic support Applicant representatives said they met with the Selden Civic Association on Jan. 23 and submitted a letter of support from the civic; the town also received a letter of support from a neighboring business, the Giav Funeral Home. In that meeting the civic and the applicant discussed site design and security and the civic told the board it supported redevelopment of a long‑blighted lot.
Traffic and environmental notes Planning staff and the applicant said self‑storage is a low traffic generator compared with other commercial uses; a town traffic safety comment in the record noted the proposed use would not significantly increase peak traffic at the intersection. The property is partially in a hydrologic sensitive zone; several variances related to landscaping, floor area ratio and lot configuration were noted as likely to be reviewed by the Board of Zoning Appeals during site plan processing.
Votes and conditions The board closed the hearing and voted to approve the change of zone; the applicant agreed that the planning conditions would include a planted, irrigated berm and screening on the southerly property line to mitigate impacts on the adjacent single‑family homes. Planning staff advised the applicant that a minor interim site plan could be administratively reviewed to allow planting in the upcoming season if desired, otherwise planting would occur at site plan construction stage.
Ending The applicant will proceed to site plan submission and any required BZA relief; planning staff and civic association representatives said the use is preferable to the existing vacant/auto‑sales condition on the property and will provide long‑term site maintenance and security.
