Proposed trucking facility draws concern in Kings Park
Neighbors in Kings Park are raising concerns about a proposed 25-acre trucking facility, citing potential traffic, noise and pollution impacts on the surrounding community.
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A proposal to build a 25-acre trucking facility at a former landfill in Kings Park is drawing concern from nearby residents, who say the project could bring more traffic, noise and pollution to their community.
The Smithtown Zoning Board heard the proposal Tuesday night from Cox and Sons LLC, which wants to develop the property at the former Steck-Philbin landfill on Old Northport Road.
The Town of Smithtown says the property is a brownfield cleanup site.
Cox and Sons is seeking several zoning variances for the project, including permission to build a retaining wall as tall as 12 feet.
The company's attorney says the variances are needed because contamination extends across the property.
Vincent Trimarco, an attorney for Cox and Sons LLC, said the contamination "goes from one end of the property to the other" and that there is no point where it does not meet the boundary lines.
But residents say they're less concerned about the type of business than the number of exceptions being requested to make the project possible.
"What concerns me tonight isn't the industrial business, but the extraordinary number and magnitude of exceptions to make this particular operation work," said Antonio Conte.
Neighbors living near the proposed facility say they're worried about the potential impact of increased truck traffic, pollution and noise.
"My husband has asthma. His breathing will become more difficult, the noise would become intolerable and selling my home when the time comes will be more difficult," said Marianne Stevenson.
Some residents who live on Marvin Drive, directly behind the proposed site, also said they were unaware of the plans.
"I'm surprised trucking would want to be so close to a residential area. It's a lot of area that hasn't been used for years, so it's like, 'Hey, let's put that here because who else is using it,'" said Theo Frank
The zoning board has asked Cox and Sons LLC to make adjustments to its variance requests.
The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22.
