It’s no secret that we Smithtown natives have a thing when it comes to change. Registered voters have kept Supervisor Vecchio, in office since 1978 and seem content to live in a town stuck in the 1950’s. Last month, an article entitled; The Town That Time Forgot, was published by, Long Island Business News, describing Smithtown as “a bedroom community of little diversity, inadequate infrastructure and underperforming business districts.” After reading the article, investigative reporters at Smithtown Today did some research and analysis on the draft of Smithtown’s land use plan only to discover the harsh consequences of sitting idly by.
The Hard Facts:
The first comprehensive update in over half of a Century: Smithtown’s land use master plan hasn’t been updated since 1961… that’s 54 years ago!
One Million Dollars in the sewers: In 2014 the Town board voted unanimously to set $1 million aside to support a Kings Park sewer project. Where did that money go? More importantly, why isn’t anyone asking what happened?
No mention of sewer infrastructure improvements in the draft plan: Businesses throughout the hamlets of Smithtown can not move forward without an investment in infrastructure, specifically improved sewer systems. Funding and Grants are available from the State and County but require initiative and investment on behalf of the Town first.
In 2014, Governor Cuomo approved $67 million in funding for enhancement projects that would promote economic development opportunities across the state. Neighboring communities; Islip and Port Jefferson, received state funding due to their proactive approach to improve and invest in their own infrastructure. This could have been a perfect opportunity for Improving Main Street in Smithtown, a state road.
The Kings Park Psychiatric Center has been abandoned, wasted land for over 20 years. The draft plan suggests turning part of land into a mixed-use park, preserving some of the buildings due to historical significance.
According to the U.S. Census, Smithtown has lost one third of it’s young adults between the ages 25- 34 years old over the last 15 years. Those young adults, who grew up here can’t afford to raise families here, so they move a few towns over like Ronkonkoma, Lake Grove and Port Jefferson.
Add the “exodus” of 25-34 olds to an increasing senior citizen populace and Smithtown is left with a high demand for affordable and diverse housing solutions.
Multi-Family housing is frowned upon in Smithtown, despite being considered the basis for economic development in surrounding municipalities. The Draft Plan suggests Transit-oriented development to redevelop unused portions of commuter parking lots in one portion of the draft. However, the very same report, suggests this type of multi-family housing, created to attract and maintain young young talent, should be “controlled”.
Smithtown will very likely disappear from Long Island Maps within the next 30 years if we don’t learn to change with the times. TOD or Transit oriented development is a mixture of housing, office space, retail stores and other amenities integrated into a walkable neighborhood located nearby public transportation. These all-inclusive and affordable communities have made small towns and cities like Hoboken, Williamsburg and DUMBO some of the hottest, trendiest up and coming places to start a family or business.
Supervisor Vecchio’s if it aint broke, don’t fix it promise during his last campaign, was to maintain a tight budget, fight wrong-headed development and uphold the policies that have worked over the past 36 years. In this world of instant access and technological breakthroughs we currently live in, is it necessary to adapt with the times? Are we doing more damage to the town’s future by holding on to the past? How much longer can Smithtown resist change before the economical status of the town is too critical to repair?