Brookhaven · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Brookhaven public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Support
Residents voiced strong opposition to proposed utility-scale battery energy storage facilities in Manorville and Holtsville, citing risks of thermal runaway fires, toxic air emissions, and contamination of the sole-source aquifer. Labor unions and industry representatives defended the projects as essential for grid stability, clean energy integration, and local union job creation. Town Supervisor Daniel Panico clarified that no building permits have been issued and that the town is awaiting further state guidance.
Police Surviving Spouse Property Tax Exemption
The Town Board enacted local laws updating town tax codes to increase income limits for senior citizen exemptions and implement expanded property tax relief for permanently and totally disabled military veterans.
Accessory Apartment and Small Lot Development Standards
Multiple applications seek to build houses on undersized lots in Mastic, Shirley, and Mastic Beach — areas upzoned to A-1 in 1989 for groundwater protection. The board approved several (Somers Place, Main Avenue, Aspen Road) but held the contested Floyd Road 50-foot-lot case for decision after neighbor opposition about fire safety, drainage, and neighborhood character.
Commercial and Residential Signage and Variance Approvals
The board granted sign-height and setback relief for businesses in Stony Brook, Shirley, and Patchogue, generally finding the requests modest and consistent with prior approvals in the same centers.
Proposed Subdivision and Demolition at 37 Christian Avenue
A Setauket family wants to tear down the circa-1870 home where community figure Lucy Hart Keyes lived and build three houses on three small lots. Neighbors, descendants, the Bethel AME pastor, civic groups, and the town's own Historic District Advisory Committee all urged denial, saying it would gut the town's only African American and Indigenous historic district. The board held the case to November 4 for the state's historic-preservation comment.
Floating home special permit renewal, East Patchogue
Cool Change, Inc. received a five-year renewal of the special permit for a long-standing floating home on Spruce Drive, subject to wetlands rules; no current neighbor complaints were reported.
Bully Crew Canine Rescue Facility in Pine Barrens
A site plan for Bully Crew, a canine rescue organization in the Pine Barrens along North Street, was reviewed under special permit rules allowing outdoor dog recreation areas while maintaining strict clearing limits.
Triangle Park and Stanglewood Commons Retail Developments
The town is moving forward with long-standing retail and mixed-use redevelopment projects at Triangle Park and Stanglewood Commons, aiming to add retail storefronts and multifamily housing while preserving natural conservation buffers.
Accessory Apartment Regulations and Density in Port Jefferson Station
Residents expressed deep concern over applications seeking legalization and size extensions for accessory apartments, arguing they erode single-family neighborhood character, increase parking congestion, and stretch municipal infrastructure.
Proposed 150-Foot Cell Tower on Whiskey Road
Homeland Towers and Verizon Wireless are seeking a use variance to build a 150-foot cell tower on Whiskey Road in Middle Island. Nearby residents strongly oppose the project, citing aesthetic impacts, property devaluation, environmental concerns, and safety issues in a quiet residential area.
Mastic Beach Neighborhood Road Revitalization and Eminent Domain
The town is moving forward with eminent domain to acquire property on Ocean View Drive in Mastic Beach to construct a stormwater retention basin to combat chronic flooding.
Stony Brook Medicine Medical Campus Expansion in Farmingville
Stony Brook Medicine is taking over the vacant Amazon Fresh building and building a new medical office facility on Horseblock Road, replacing retail with healthcare services. The project required modifying restrictive covenants, including removing a planned village green and adjusting landscape buffers.
Adoption of 2027 Tentative Operating and Capital Budgets
The town board officially adopted the tentative operating and capital budgets for 2027 as the preliminary budget, moving forward with scheduled public hearings in November.
2027 Preliminary Operating and Capital Budgets
Supervisor Panico announced that Standard & Poor's reaffirmed Brookhaven's AAA bond rating with a stable outlook. This reflects strong fiscal management and allows the town to borrow at favorable rates.
Homes View Commons Project and Covenant Amendment
Developers are proposing a new medical office building and removal of a village green covenant at the corner of Horse Block Road and North Ocean Avenue in Farmingville.
SAFStor Change of Zone and Mini-Storage Facility in Coram
The town held a public hearing on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed mini-storage facility in Coram. While applicants noted low traffic generation, local gym patrons and residents expressed concern over losing a community gym and the proliferation of storage units.
Clearing Limits and Environmental Covenants
Property owners sought relief from strict clearing limits on residential parcels, resulting in approvals tied to mandatory recorded covenants.
Town Resolutions, Bids, and Capital Projects
The town is investing in multiple park and recreation upgrades, including spray parks, athletic complexes, and solar panel installations.
Cannabis Retail Dispensary Proposal on Montauk Highway
The board unanimously denied a special permit for a cannabis retail shop on Montauk Highway in Patchogue due to proximity restrictions and parking shortfalls.
Agricultural Animal Harboring Special Permits
The board evaluated a contentious application for harboring dwarf goats and miniature Hereford cows on a residential property in Mount Sinai, drawing neighbor opposition over environmental and noise concerns.
NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk Expansion
NYU Langone Hospitals received approval for a major 270,000-square-foot expansion featuring a seven-story inpatient pavilion with 144 new beds in Patchogue. Community leaders and union representatives praised the project for creating local jobs and improving healthcare access.
Lake Ronkonkoma Improvement and Community Recognition
The Town Board celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Lake Ronkonkoma Improvement Group, highlighting multi-agency collaboration and cleanup efforts that have revitalized the lake area.
Substance Use Awareness and Overdose Prevention Proclamations
The town recognized International Overdose Awareness Day, World Suicide Prevention Day, and 'Brookhaven Goes Purple' month to raise awareness of substance use disorders and support recovery.
Mastic Beach Downtown Revitalization and Urban Renewal
The board is nearing the conclusion of a lengthy review process for the Mastic Beach revitalization project, including urban renewal plans and form-based zoning codes.
Brookhaven Hospital Expansion
The town reviewed plans for a major seven-story, 270,000-square-foot expansion of Brookhaven Hospital to enhance local medical facilities.
Setback and Accessory Structure Variances
Multiple applicants sought variances for parcel splits, oversized additions, and non-conforming lot sizes across Brookhaven. Residents expressed concerns regarding neighborhood character, density, and local infrastructure impacts such as traffic and drainage.
Starbucks Commercial Redevelopment in Middle Island
RA Middle Island LLC received board approval to convert an existing bank on Middle Country Road into a Starbuck's restaurant with a drive-thru, alongside multiple sign and setback variances.
Proposed Mosque on William Floyd Parkway
Residents raised concerns regarding traffic and neighborhood compatibility for a proposed mosque in Mastic Beach, while town officials clarified legal requirements and parking standards.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Debate
Residents, labor unions, and environmental advocates clashed over proposed lithium-ion battery energy storage facilities in Manorville and Holtsville. Residents raised serious safety concerns regarding fire risks, toxic emissions, and aquifer contamination, while union workers and energy developers emphasized economic benefits, grid reliability, and modern safety codes.
Proposed Data Centers Moratorium
The town enacted an 18-month moratorium on data centers to study their massive energy demands, water consumption, noise, and environmental impacts before allowing any such facilities.
Transit Expansion
Good news for Brookhaven commuters—the MTA just opened a brand-new LIRR station in Yaphank near the Brookhaven National Laboratory. It's designed to make getting around the region a whole lot easier.
Allegria Affordable Housing Development
The Long Island Housing Partnership requested multiple bulk variances to build affordable single-family homes on small 50-foot lots in Bellport. These homes are deed-restricted in perpetuity through community land trusts to assist low-income buyers.
Allegria Affordable Housing and Wastewater Project in Bellport
D & F Consultants is moving forward with a 96-unit multi-family affordable housing development in Bellport that includes significant lighting trespass and design manual waivers. While praised for providing much-needed affordable housing and supportive units, the project faced scrutiny over heavy lighting spillage and sidewalk dimensions.
Open Space Preservation and Drainage Acquisitions
Officials discussed various capital improvement projects, including stormwater and drainage infrastructure enhancements, park upgrades in Bellport, and property acquisitions for drainage purposes across multiple neighborhoods.
Solar Energy Installations on Municipal and Commercial Properties
The town approved bond issues and capital plan amendments to fund park upgrades, animal shelter improvements, and a major solar panel installation at the Brookhaven Aquatic Center.
Canal Road Residential Subdivision Proposal
Multiple applicants requested parcel subdivisions and area variances to build single-family homes on undersized or irregularly shaped lots across Brookhaven.
Stormwater Management and Neighborhood Flooding in Sound Beach
Residents testified about severe stormwater runoff and flooding issues surrounding a vacant lot on Norwood Avenue in Holtsville. The Town Highway and Planning departments recommended the town acquire the parcel for drainage acquisition.
Residential Livestock Special Permit in Yaphank
Neighbors strongly protested a special permit for harboring pigs and goats, citing overpowering foul odors and health concerns, leading the board to deny the permit.
Environmental Pollution
Brookhaven locals are demanding immediate action because a local landfill is leaking pollution into the surrounding neighborhood. If you live nearby, this means potential health hazards and a hit to your property value.
Landfill Contamination and Leachate Plume
The board approved multiple engineering service agreements and cap closure projects for the Brookhaven Town Landfill to manage gas collection and site development.
Unregulated Sober Living Homes in Manorville
Residents of Manorville voiced opposition to a recently sold property operating or converting into a sober home without proper permits or safe conditions, asking the board to block permits until code violations are resolved.
Carvana Commercial Use Variance Request
Carvana is seeking a use variance and special permit to operate a motor vehicle dealership and repair facility at a former industrial vehicle auction site in Yaphank. Neighbors and officials are evaluating whether an online vehicle delivery and plate-issuing hub fits the L1 industrial zone and meets strict New York State hardship requirements.
Misinformation and AI-Generated Flyers Regarding Data Centers
Town officials addressed a fake, AI-generated flyer circulating online about a proposed data center that has never been filed or proposed to the town. Supervisor Panico urged residents to seek accurate information directly from local government rather than unverified social media posts.
Planning and Site Plan Applications Review
Planning Director Donald Hohn presented multiple site plan reviews and upcoming public hearings, including covenant relief in Centereach, medical office expansions, and a U-Haul storage facility in Medford.
Mastic-Shirley Infrastructure and Sewer District Projects
The town established the Mastic Beach Sewer District and approved a nearly $13 million bond for green stormwater infrastructure to support ongoing revitalization and mitigate flooding.
Commercial Development and Bank Construction in Shirley
A new Bank of America branch is planned for a vacant property at William Floyd and Montauk Highway in Shirley, bringing upgraded landscaping and corporate design to the area.
Beaver Dam Road Cemetery Proposal
An application for a 13-acre Muslim cemetery and accessory prayer building in Bellport drew mixed resident feedback regarding groundwater protection, traffic, and neighborhood character, with the board keeping the hearing open pending county approval.
Commercial Development and Signage Expansion in Patchogue and Bellport
The board evaluated commercial applications including signage and lighting for a Taco Bell drive-thru in Patchogue and a new commercial building in Bellport. Supporters emphasized economic progress and community revitalization, while ensuring compatibility with local business districts.
Proposed Holtzville ICE Detention Facility Opposition
Residents voiced strong opposition to a rumored federal detention facility or holding pen in Holtzville, prompting town officials to clarify that the light industrial zoning explicitly bars private prisons.
Public Beach Indecency and Dress Codes
Local pastors and residents urged the Town Board to update beach and park dress code ordinances to combat public indecency and exposed bathing attire.