Steven Dubb is seeking to ascend the throne in Long Island development and has a new project in Kings Park.
His Jericho-based Beechwood Homes is planning a 391-unit condo community in the Smithtown hamlet in Suffolk County, Newsday reported. The project on 71 acres of mostly wooded land would be north of Old Northport Road and east of Old Indian Head Road.
The firm is in contract to buy the land for an undisclosed sum from three owners of separate parcels. At least one of the owners appears to have ties to Raleigh’s Poultry Farm, which would be included in the development site. The developer indicated in an environmental assessment form that farm operations jobs would be eliminated if the project moves forward as planned.
Dubbed Country Pointe Estates at Kings Park’, the $189 million development would be one of the largest residential projects in Smithtown history, featuring two- and three-bedroom units and amenities such as a bocce, pickleball and a sports bar. There would also be 40 workforce housing units, more than double what the town has delivered from a program dating back six years.
Obstacles are already springing up for Beechwood, though, including a requirement to change the zoning from single-family to townhouse residential.
County planners recently recommended disapproving of the needed zoning change, but that may have been because the town clerk’s office sent through an application before the town’s planners could conduct an environmental review. Dubb told Newsday the recommendation was “premature.”
The project will also require variances and an environmental impact statement, in all likelihood. It also needs the construction of a sewage treatment plant and more than 1,300 parking spaces.
Beechwood is accustomed to the fits and starts that come with big Long Island development projects. Last year, the firm revealed plans for a 385-condo retirement community in Elwood, only to back off the 55-and-older age restriction after getting feedback on the proposal.
— Holden Walter-Warner
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