(updated 6/9/2020)
Huntington – Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci announced the Town has launched a Business Reopening Resources page on its website to assist and simplify the reopening process for businesses across the Town of Huntington, including instructions, forms and the waiving of fees for outdoor dining permits and sidewalk sales, with more guidance to be posted before Phase Two of New York State's reopening plan takes effect Wednesday, June 10.
“As Huntington reopens for business, the Town is here to help simplify and accelerate that process and we have launched a Business Reopening Resource where, right now, outdoor dining permit applications for sidewalks of Town and County roads are available and we are waiving the $200 permit fee for that,” said Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci. “We have multiple processes in the works for outdoor dining in other areas, such as sidewalks of State roads, as well as a simplified ZBA process for on-premises outdoor dining, as well as outdoor retail and sidewalk sales. As each piece of this reopening puzzle becomes operational, they will be posted to that page.”
OUTDOOR DINING
The Business Reopening Resources page has launched with instructions and forms for establishments that wish to offer temporary outdoor dining on sidewalks of Town and County roads and in Town municipal parking lots to help accelerate the reopening process for food establishments in areas where the Town has jurisdiction; the Town is waiving various permit application fees associated with the approval process.
The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) has created a simplified application process for establishments that wish to offer temporary on-premises outdoor dining for private property not typically used for dining.
Different regulations govern temporary outdoor dining on sidewalks of State roads, such as Main Street/25A and New York Avenue; information will be posted on the Reopening Resources page once guidance is received from New York State.
OUTDOOR RETAIL/SIDEWALK SALES
The Town has created a new process that allows merchants to display merchandise and operate on a public sidewalk in front of their store.
The new, temporary process simply requires certification from the merchant that such activity will not obstruct the passage of at least two (2) individuals walking side-by-side along that sidewalk; typically the process requires Town Board approval.
OTHER RESOURCES
The Business Reopening Resources page also includes guidance on construction permits affected by COVID-19 shutdowns, instructions on how to reserve metered municipal parking outside of storefronts in the Huntington Village Business District, as well as links to New York State Phase-by-Phase Reopening Guidance and Resources, and other information for businesses affected by the COVID-19.
HUNTINGTON SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC RECOVERY TASK FORCE
The Huntington Small Business Economic Recovery Task Force held its first meeting, using Zoom video conferencing software, the evening of June 4, 2020. At its first meeting, the Task Force elected Andrea Bonilla of the Huntington Station BID to serve as their Chairperson.
Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci was in attendance and he provided an update on items the Town has been working on, including plans for outdoor dining and outdoor retail/sidewalk sales. The Task Force discussed potential methods of communication with the business community and plans for the next meeting to take place the week of June 8.
The Huntington Small Business Economic Recovery Task Force, comprised of local business leaders, is promoting collaboration between Town government and small businesses to develop ideas that will help accelerate our local economic recovery from the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis.
The Task Force consists of 14 members: William “Chip” Ketcham, Beckman's Florist (appointed by Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci); John Tunney, Tunnyvision Restaurant Development (appointed by Councilman Mark Cuthbertson); Dominick Catoggio, The Paramount (appointed by Councilman Eugene Cook); Theresa Sullivan, Olivers Haircutters (appointed by Councilwoman Joan Cergol); Brian Yudewitz, Huntington Chamber of Commerce (appointed by Councilman Ed Smyth); from the Town of Huntington Economic Development Corporation (EDC): Leah M. Jefferson, Executive Director, and Melissa Naeder; from the Chambers of Commerce: Vita Scaturro, Huntington Chamber of Commerce; Loriann Pineo, East Northport Chamber of Commerce; David Gustin, Melville Chamber of Commerce; James Izzo, Northport Chamber of Commerce; from the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs): Jack Palladino, Huntington BID; Tom Hogan, Cold Spring Harbor BID; and Andrea Bonilla, Huntington Station BID, who was elected Chair.
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