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Brookhaven approves clearing limit increase for Medford property; neighbors press lighting and parking concerns
Summary
The Town Board approved an amendment allowing higher tree‑clearing limits at 7 Lorraine Court in Medford — increasing the lot limit from 36% to 58% — while conditioning approval on dark‑sky‑compliant sports‑court lighting and revegetation where clearing exceeds the new limit.
The Town Board approved an amendment to restrictive covenants allowing a Medford homeowner at 7 Lorraine Court to increase lot clearing limits from 36% to 58%, following a recommendation from the Suffolk County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Planning Director Don Holm explained the subdivision covenant recorded in 1987 limited clearing to 36 percent per lot; the homeowner’s survey showed an existing clearing of roughly 73.4 percent and the applicant asked to legalize 79 percent. The DEP recommended increasing the limit to 58 percent — matching relief previously granted in the subdivision — and required revegetation of any areas cleared beyond that level.
Homeowner James Bentley told the board he and his family value outdoor play space for their children and had built a sports field and lighting; he said they were working with the town to comply. Neighbors, represented at the hearing by Rich Sparrow, said the activity at Bentley’s property included frequent youth practices that generate traffic, on‑street parking and occasional unsafe passing on the cul‑de‑sac. Sparrow presented signed neighbor letters alleging recurring parking and traffic problems and asked for enforcement measures.
Board members and staff noted the DEP recommendation offered a compromise that would allow the homeowner to keep most of the sports field while requiring revegetation in excess cleared areas and dark‑sky compliant lighting. The board added an explicit condition: all lighting for sports courts must comply with the town’s dark‑sky provisions (Town Code chapter 85) and not spill onto adjacent properties. Members also encouraged neighbors to exchange contact information for expedited follow‑up on any future traffic or parking incidents.
The board closed the public hearing and voted to approve the covenant amendment with the DEP’s 58 percent clearing limit and the lighting condition. No change to parking or enforcement ordinances was enacted at the hearing; board members said town staff would follow up on lighting compliance and support neighbor coordination.
