Board approves Downtown Development District rezoning for 12‑unit project at 17 South Park Avenue with three affordable units

The Islip Planning Board voted to approve a recommendation to change the zoning of 17 South Park Avenue from Business 1 to the Downtown Development District to allow a 12‑unit apartment building, with three units set aside as affordable.

Applicant and principal Larry Gargano said the property currently contains three substandard structures with six certified apartments; the proposal calls for redevelopment into 12 one‑bedroom units with design changes that include entrances on both sides of the building, an increased side‑yard setback to the south (requiring a minor buffer relaxation), and a K‑turn on the curb line to reduce local congestion. Gargano said the project does not require a parking relaxation and adds community benefits including improved access to a municipal parking lot and a financial contribution toward band‑shell renovations at Dr. King Park.

Planning staff reviewed earlier concerns about congestion on South Park Avenue and said the design modifications — K‑turn, no‑parking frontage, and entries oriented away from the narrow dead‑end stretch — would mitigate traffic and safety concerns. Staff recommended approval of the small DDD application as consistent with the town’s downtown plan, and the board granted the application on a motion by Mr. Brown; the vote was recorded as four in favor with two abstentions.

The approval is conditioned on the covenants and conditions included in the staff package, and staff will finalize those requirements and confirm compliance as the applicant advances through site plan and permitting.