Levy Introduces Legislation to Promote Economic Development in Wyandanch

Policy Issues

Tuesday, 23 February 2010 14:44

Hauppauge, NY -- Seeing to promote economic development in Wyandanch, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy has filed legislation that would waive sewer connection fees for new residential, commercial or industrial development within that downtown corridor.

Levy’s proposal is part of a coordinated, multi-level effort with the town of Babylon and the federal government to promote growth in this economically distressed community.

“Economic growth can not occur without adequate sewer capacity, but one of the largest obstacles to development where there is capacity is the connection fee upfront,” said Levy. “The town of Babylon, through Supervisor Steve Bellone, is investing in the installation of sewer infrastructure to serve the downtown corridor and we can make an important county contribution to the recovery of this community by waiving the connection fees for qualified developments.”

According to Levy’s legislation, the county would be able to waive the typical $30 per gallon per day fee for developments where all of the following criteria are met:

The local municipality (town or village) is constructing sewer infrastructure, including a collection system, to connect to an existing sewer district where capacity exists or will exist

the development is in an urban renewal area (as defined in Article 15 of General Municipal Law)

the development is within an Empire Zone

the development is part of a transit-oriented development in a downtown area.

Development in the Wyandanch corridor will meet all four criteria, and if the legislation is passed will allow for residential, commercial and industrial facilities in the urban renewal area over the next five years to have the connection fee waived.

“The installation of sewers in the downtown area is imperative to the Town’s revitalization efforts in Wyandanch,” said Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone. “This legislation will go a long way in making a sewer project a reality and serves as further evidence of County Executive Levy’s longstanding commitment to bringing sewers to downtown areas throughout Suffolk County.”

“I firmly believe that 20 years from now, when we look back at the renaissance of Wyandanch, we will point to this county investment as the place where it all started,” Levy added.

While the county executive said Suffolk would not be able to waive connection fees for every development in every district, he noted that other communities and developments meeting all four criteria would be covered by his resolution if approved.

The proposal will be subject to public hearings before the County Legislature on March 2 and could be eligible for a vote as early as March 23.