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Warwick board holds public hearing on proposed zone change for Kings Highway parcel
Summary
At a June 11 public hearing, the Warwick Town Board heard neighbors’ concerns about a proposal to rezone a Kings Highway parcel (SBL 94-4-55.2) from Office/Industrial to Suburban Residential Medium Density; the board left the hearing open for more comment and will not vote tonight.
The Warwick Town Board on June 11 opened a public hearing on Introductory Local Law No. 2 of 2026, a proposal to reclassify a parcel on Kings Highway (section/block/lot 94-4-55.2) from the Office/Industrial (OI) district to the Suburban Residential Medium Density district.
Supervisor Dwire, who introduced the hearing, said the change would remove the parcel’s current OI allowances — which the town code lists to include manufacturing, auto repair, storage units, scrapyards, helipads and similar uses — and would limit future development to residential uses, potentially a single two‑family home. “We are permanently turning that from allowed to have those things to only allowed to have a house on it and be residential,” he said.
Neighbors who live adjacent to the parcel said they support residential use but raised safety and visibility concerns. Tim Tate of 59 Darren Road, an immediate neighbor, described the site’s history and said the current OI zoning feels inappropriate for that stretch of Kings Highway. “I would argue that it’s an improper zone,” Tate said, noting an approximately 55 mph posted speed limit on the highway and limited sight lines near the nearby intersection, which he said has seen accidents.
Marva Briton of 15 Darren Road asked who makes the final decision and how residents can influence it. The board said the town board makes the zoning decision and will consider written and oral comments filed with the town clerk. Town Clerk Aino confirmed written comments may be emailed or mailed and will be part of the permanent record.
The board clarified that the proposed rezoning would not itself approve a specific house plan. If the zoning is changed, future building plans would go to the planning board and undergo site review and public comment. A resident who identified himself only as Joe asked whether multiple dwellings could be built; the board said the parcel’s residential maximum would allow a two‑family house, not multiple separate houses.
The board said it does not plan to vote on the measure at the June 11 meeting and left the public hearing open until its next meeting on June 25 so neighbors and interested parties can submit additional comments. The supervisor encouraged residents to submit comments to the town clerk for consideration before the board’s decision.
What happens next: the public hearing will remain open; the board will accept and consider written comments submitted to the town clerk and is expected to continue the matter at the June 25 meeting.
