Insignia Restaurant Owners Agree to Build Barriers in Exchange for More Parking

Smithtown officials and Insignia Steakhouse owners have reached a compromise to permit more parking on the restaurant's property while protecting quality of life for nearby residents. 

Town of Smithtown officials voted to approve a zoning change for Boulder Creek Properties, owned by the Scotto brothers, to allow the restaurant to increase its parking. 

Local residents first voiced issues with Insignia Steakhouse in March, claiming  The restaurant’s expansion has generated noise and flooding concerns within her community.

"There was a shortfall of parking when it was really busy," said Don King, attorney for the Scotto brothers to Newsday. 

The restaurant owners have worked with Smithtown town officials to redesign the resturant's site plan to provide additional parking, while looking to alleviate issues expressed by local residents. Frank DeRubeis, Smithtown's Planner Director, met with both the restaurant owners and groups of local homeowners several times in recent months before a compromise was proposed.

Insignia Steakhouse will be permitted to increase its parking from 122 places to 237 spots. The new parking be double-stacked, in valet-style rows along the back of the restaurant's property. 

In return, restaurateur Anthony Scotto has agreed to build a 10-foot high earthen berm between the back of the restaurant and local residences that varies from roughly 50-feet wide and narrows towards Mount Pleasant Road. The earthen berm will be planted with native tree and plant species in effort to block noise and light from eatery of affecting local homes. 

The restaurant has also filed plans to also noted their intention to expand its septic area by 50 percent, which should alleviate local flooding concerns. 

While the site plan is approved by town board, it still awaits approval from the Smithtown's Board of Zoning approval, according to Newsday. 

Click here to read more on Newsday [subscription required] about the Town of Smithtown's compromise with Insignia Steakhouse.