ICYMI: Local Residents React To New Vacant Retail Zoning Proposal

In case you missed it, here's a story that appeared earlier this week in the Patchogue Patch:

BY: Jacqueline Sweet

BROOKHAVEN, NY—A proposed zoning law change in the Town of Brookhaven would the first on Long Island to allow residential development in blighted retail space.

The new category, called the Commercial Redevelopment District zone, allows for multi-family housing and other new uses for vacant retail space in the town.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Romaine told Newsday last week that "this is a code to help us kind of renew the look for Brookhaven. We're living in an economy that changes very rapidly."

Business groups such as Long Island Builders Institute and others have lobbied the town for years to have zoning restrictions loosened on sites that are no longer conducive to new retail projects, such as vacant or underutilized strip malls and large sites such as closed bowling alleys.

Click here to read the full story.