Attn Smithtown Residents, Open Meeting:

If anyone is interested or concerned, I'm passing this information along for a friend:

There will be an open meeting this Thursday April 25th at 7pm, location: the Eugene Cannatarro Senior Center next to the Smithtown Animal Shelter on Middle Country.

Reason for Meeting: A wedding & party venue/ nightclub/ wine & alcohol tasting establishment they are planning on proposing to have built on Edgewood Avenue right across the street from Whisper Vineyards. It will be in conjunction with the Vineyards and owned by the same.

Now, for anyone familiar with the area: it is HEAVILY residential and the facility will be placed within 150-200 feet or less of many homes and even worse, the facility will be about 800 feet away from Nesaquake Middle School. Currently, there are NO zoning restrictions or ordinances against the sale and serving of alcohol within any range of a school, in the town of Smithtown.

As many of you who are familiar with the area of Edgewood, adding this venue to an area like that which is already VERY heavily congested with traffic from just the people who live in the surrounding cul de sacs would really add a major traffic concern. Also, people coming and going at all hours of the night from this establishment - some intoxicated - creates a health/safety risk for the residents as well. A similar establishment was created in Southold and has been nothing but problems: with people out until 3am, loud music, fornicating and even urinating in the parking lot. This is what residents are concerned will happen here.

Currently, the site that this is being proposed for, is home to a garden and nursery center.

If anyone wants to attend to voice their concern, the meeting is open to anyone who is a resident and worried about the quality of life for the people living there, home values, the safety of our children going to/from middle school, and residents of Smithtown in general.

Hope this helps.

Re: Attn Smithtown Residents, Open Meeting:

Oh wow! That area is so bad to begin with, traffic on a good day, what are they thinking?

I don't think it being near the HS is that big of a deal, I'm guessing they would not have parties/events during school hours, but the added traffic is just a bad idea. I didn't realize that was such a heavily residential part of Smithtown.

Re: Attn Smithtown Residents, Open Meeting:

What, bad idea!! There are houses right behind that farm. That road is already so congested at certain times of the day.
I go to that farm stand alot.

Re: Attn Smithtown Residents, Open Meeting:

I'd definitely like to read more about this because I read on Patch a while back that that vineyard has not been allowed to sell any wine, for all the years they have been there. If it is owned by the winery, I'd be surprised if it was a nightclub environment because I typically see those as upscale, respectable venues. This could just be a way to allow people to actually sample their wine, considering they've been waiting years for their license to be approved.

As far as Borrellas goes, I would be upset to see them go. They are my primary source for my garden and have always had good experiences there. Are they in trouble financially?

Attn Smithtown Residents, Open Meeting:

I grew up in smithtown and know that area well. Although the idea of a venue like that isn't necessarily a bad one, I agree that the placement is a bad choice. If I owned one of those homes I would be pissed about all the noise and traffic.

And how sad that it would take the place of the nursery. That's been there forever! At least since I was little and probably much longer. My dad moved to that area in the 70s and always says how it was all farms. It would be nice if they could keep what little bit of farm area is left.

Re: Attn Smithtown Residents, Open Meeting:

I find the traffic is worst during rush hour for the people who take Edgewood to avoid Main Street. At night and on weekends when the venue would be frequented, school isn't in session and the traffic isn't as heavy.



They have a lot of property, I'd want to know if the venue would be behind the greenhouse which is pretty far from the four houses bordering the property.

Is this meeting only for people who oppose this, or for everyone to learn and decide? Will representatives from Whisper and Borrellas be there?

Enquiring greenfreaks want to know.

Re: Attn Smithtown Residents, Open Meeting:

From what I'm told, the entire plan (including exact location details) is going to be discussed at this meeting.

Because there will be a wine and alcohol tasting center on site, the drinking will be taking place during the day adjacent to the middle school which concerns some of the residents for safety -- think drinking and driving with kids coming to/from school, using cross walks, being driven on a bus down that road, etc. etc. -- these are some of the concerns residents have about that.

Then, the major issue is congestion and most of all, noise.

But, where exactly and more details - I don't know but I do know that is one of the purposes of having the meeting so if you are at all interested definitely attend and it should be informative.

HTH

Re: Attn Smithtown Residents, Open Meeting:

Was anyone on here able to make the meeting?