After a year of looking at building zoning codes in Massapequa and attempting to align them with the Town's vision for the future, Oyster Bay Town officials decided this month to extend a moratorium on building and construction. The hope is to give the Town more time to rewrite the code. This is the third six-month extension the Town Board has approved.

"All that remains to be studied is the Alhambra and Old Harbour Green areas because they have certain building styles we need to consider in planning," said Jack Libert, commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development for the Town of Oyster Bay. "I don't expect to need the entire six months, but we do need an extension."

Under the moratorium, the Town will not issue building permits for new or extended buildings. Demolition permits, subdivision approvals and variances related to lot area, and applications for lot dimensions and setbacks for new buildings in the area, which is south of Merrick Road, are also put on hold.

The study is being done in an effort to provide a fair balance between development and maintaining the community's unique character. It is designed to halt "overzealous" builders and is expected to be adopted townwide.

Although Town Supervisor John Venditto has said that the majority of residents support the building halt, some residents who attended the August 5th meeting said they opposed it.

"I bought a rundown property on Ocean Avenue in Massapequa and this moratorium has really affected my family and is keeping us from finishing our home," said Kenneth Toole, who said he was almost brought to tears by his frustration. "We were hoping to have our children enrolled in the Massapequa school district next month and now we are in limbo," added Toole who lives in Wantagh with his four children and wife. According to the property owner, he filed in November 2007, and has yet to hear from the Town.

"Let's get together and see what we can do," said Venditto. "We'll make every effort to help you get your home done, but if we can't, then it is what it is. We need to find out if any part of your project is approved or denied."

Another naysayer spoke on behalf of her clients.

"My clients who are small business owners who have been affected by the moratorium....please reduce the study area," said an attorney who did not elaborate on the problems of the business owners.

The Supervisor said that while the moratorium is in place, individuals can still come to the Town for special exceptions.

"All these individuals need to do is reach out to us if they have been adversely impacted," said Venditto. "The purpose of the study is to make sure everyone is happy—both residents and business owners."

The moratorium is not designed to keep people from improving their homes or stop construction, said Venditto. "As long as you are doing something that isn't offensive and there's no grievous impact, there's a chance your plans will be okayed," he said at the meeting. "We already approved 47 hardship cases, and there are 20 cases still pending."

Also at that same meeting, the South Farmingdale Water District asked the Town to approve bonds to cover the cost of the upgrading of its facilities to allow for iron and organic compound removal.

The project will cost $18 million, and the district is anticipating being reimbursed by the U.S. Navy, who was responsible for polluting the Grumman site. A plume from that site could have an impact on the district's water supply and needs to be addressed.

Although the board did not vote on the project yet, Venditto said the Town would do whatever was necessary to keep residents safe.

"We'll pay whatever it takes," he said. "What price can you put on public welfare? It'll be money well spent."

The Town Board will vote on whether to approve issuing the bonds at its meeting Sept. 16, 10 a.m. Town Hall North.