Politics & Government

Bartone Plaza Project Approved

Village board gives unanimous okay for mixed-use development.

A mixed-use development project in the downtown Farmingdale area won the approval of village officials Monday night.

The which incorporates a three-story mix of apartments and retail space, is expected to break ground in August.

Developer , a Farmingdale native, said, "We're thankful and enthusiastic" about the project. After the unanimous vote to allow the project to continue, Bartone was congratulated by several people, and got a kiss on the cheek from his father, Arthur.

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Bartone still has to meet some concerns about noise coming from the project. One neighbor of the developement, James Orobona, who has spoken previously in measured tones about possible noise problems, was the only one to speak from the audience Monday night about the project.

Village attorney Kevin M. Walsh said that Bartone would have to show that any potential traffic noise would be controlled, and said a building permit could be held up if the developer didn't satisfactorily address the issue.

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"We'll do exactly whatever they want," Bartone said. "I don't foresee any problems."

Mayor Ralph Ekstrand said after the vote, "It’s approved, with that one mitigation,"  and joked to Bartone, "So you can take your easel and go home."

Former mayor George Starkie praised the board for its actions and the project. "There was a referendum; the last election was won on the question, are we going to make a change or keep kicking the can down the road."

The proposed three-story mix of apartments and retail space would take over a vacant warehouse, providing 115 apartments and several retail shops.

An underground parking lot is designed to hold 172 vehicles.

Because of its proximity to the Long Island Rail Road station, the property at Secatogue Avenue and South Front Street is envisioned as a transit-oriented district, meant to be pedestrian-friendly.

At a board meeting in April, Bartone attorney Anthony Addeo listed a series of amenties he said the owners would provide.

They included widening streets and installing parking meters whose revenues will go to the village, brick walkways, removal and burial of utility poles, trees and landscaping, and a pocket park.

The village board's vote Monday came after the Nassau County planning commission decided that it was a matter for the village to decide.

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