Farmingville, NY – Supervisor Ed Romaine and Councilman Michael Loguercio recently sent a letter to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Legislator Robert Calarco asking them to take “immediate action” on a house that neighbors say is being used as a “homeless shelter.” The house, which is located on Beach Lane in Coram, had been owned by Suffolk County for several years and was evaluated twice for demolition by the Town. However, the County did not sign off on allowing the building to be razed. Instead, Suffolk County subsequently sold the property to an individual who is using the structure as an alleged rental property without living there, despite having no rental permit.
The property, which is zoned A-1 Residential, has been a source of many complaints to the Town by people who live in the neighborhood. In addition, the new owner has commenced construction on an addition to the house without obtaining the proper building permits. The Town has issued violations to the property owner for having no Certificate of Occupancy for the addition and no rental permit. The owners, who do not live at the house, are due to appear in 6th District Court on June 24, 2021.
Brookhaven Town is seeking to have the County remove the tenants, cease social services payments to the owner, and require owner occupancy or allow the Town to demolish the house.
Supervisor Romaine said, “What the County has created is unacceptable for the people of Gordon Heights and something must be done. This house should have been demolished by the Town after complaints from the neighbors about its condition. It was and is an eyesore that continues to have a very negative impact on the neighborhood. Something must be done to make this right again.”
Councilman Loguercio said, “I have heard loud and clear from many of the residents who live nearby, and I am determined to help them restore their good quality of life. It’s unthinkable that the County allowed this to happen to the hard-working residents of Gordon Heights and I will urge the county to reverse this bad decision and not allow it to happen again in any Brookhaven neighborhood.
