Farmingdale weighs moratorium on downtown building

Officials in Farmingdale are considering adopting a six-month moratorium on downtown development, Newsday reported. The ban would halt on site plan approval and the issuance of permits on projects in a downtown mixed-use zone that also require variances or waivers on height, density, parking and other zoning regulations. The moratorium wouldn’t apply to existing businesses that want to undertake renovations. Some local residents have reportedly complained about rapid growth in the downtown area, particularly near the Long Island Rail Road station, which has contributed to increased litter and more parking and traffic congestion problems. The village board plans to host a public hearing on the proposal on Feb. 4. The Farmingdale board also plans to study recent development under the village master plan from 2011. That plan was meant to foster transit-oriented development and has created one of the busier downtown areas on Long Island, which other municipalities are now seeking to emulate. [Newsday]