The town of Huntington is considering a change to its code in order to allow construction of nonprofit-run care facilities without incurring a zone change.
Assisted living centers, nursing homes, and life-care communities are among the types of facilities that would not require said change, the definition of "Congregate Care facilities" therefore moving to include people with ISP, or Individual Service Plans (approved by the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (NYS OPWDD), regardless of their age.
Frank Petrone, Huntington's town Supervisor, said that there are roughly "11,000 people statewide, with 2,400 on Long Island, who have been on a waitlist for state-approved congregate care facilities." State-approved facilities are often out of state or upstate—but as he pointed out during a hearing last year, those options still cause a great deal of concern for family members desiring to be closer to their relatives.
A special-use permit would be issued by the town board for these types assisted living facilities, run by local nonprofits. Facilities would need to appear as single-family homes with a minimum of two acres per lot, and a maximum of eight bedrooms. The houses would be required to have one parking space. With this type of housing option, both residents' and parents' transitions would be much easier as they approach older age.
A public hearing on the measure was held during the regular town board meeting will be held on Feb. 7 at Huntington’s Town Hall, located at 100 Main St.
To inquire about our Long Island code consulting and permit filing services, please contact the Long Island office of Milrose Consultants.
