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I don't believe this will affect parking much. Plenty of parking if you can walk a few blocks to American Leigon Hall lot.
If roof top dining is given to Skipper's then I suppose the other building owners would also enjoy having the additional revenue in whatever form. There are many higher buildings in the downtown area offering an even better view, perhaps for whale-watching or dancing under the stars. With tables, benches, easels and chairs crammed everywhere on the sidewalks of Main Street most times one must simply step onto Main Street to pass people who are window shopping, eating, pushing strollers and walking dogs. The angled parking spaces are always filled so that means walking around the parked cars into the middle of Main Street. I for one, cannot understand how someone enjoys dining sitting next to a stop sign while you're ingesting noxious fumes when swallowing. By allowing every inch of sidewalks and alleyways to be filled there is no other option other than now cramming people onto the rooftops. The peole who live in Northport and pay taxes cannot drive into their own village to shop, dine or simply enjoy the park and harbor because of the already out of control parking issues. Unless the plan is to build heliports to chopper them in without taking up even more of the scant parking areas or beaming them in from the mother ship, I say this is a Science Fiction horror story for the residents of Northport.
I think some people are looking forward to this for a reason that is fundamentally incorrect.
THIS WILL NOT BE A COOL RAW BAR WITH SOMEONE SHUCKING OYSTERS AND JIMMY BUFFET MUSIC PLAYING WHILE YOU SIP MARGARITAS. Skippers said very clearly at the ZBA meeting that this will be the same (ie mediocre pub) food they serve in their restaurant. Skippers gets lots of extra revenue by having more space to put tables, and we have a much bigger problem with parking as a result. Keep in mind that what they are effectively trying to do is to skirt the parking limits by disguising this within the sidewalk dining allowance just because they leave off a roof. This is a great example of a law that started with good intentions and then being abused and having unintended consequences. The ZBA saw this trick for what it was and made a smart decision.
I feel for the poor people who live downtown Northport. I am one in Port Jefferson. I will bet anyone the persons that think it a wonderful idea do not live anywhere near the traffif, noise, filthy tourists who leave there refuse and gum all over the streets and homeowners lawns. Keep the Village at least the way it is or you will end up like my Village. Highrise, low income apartments, Coney Island like atmosphere in my opinion.
Kudos to the ZBA for making a difficult decision that no doubt was done for the best interest of the village. The comments about Huntington and Port Jeff problems are right on target and the zba has done a great service to our village with this decision but even more importantly with the precedent it set for the future.
I live in Port Jefferson Village. The Mayor, trustees and Boards in my opinion do whatever they want. They just approved a triple variance change request for a new restaurant with deck in the Marine Waterfront 2 zone. The village codes that the variances were for were to be "strictly" adhered to. Once a Board approves such an outrageous request, against codes and taxpayer disapproval, the slippery slope is created. A case such as Northports and Port Jeffersons should go to a taxpayer refferendum in my opinion. Good luck Northport, let the administration make decisions like this and you will have another Port Jefferson Village Coney Island, Lake George environment like we have here.
Congrats to the Northport ZBA for having the guts to say NO. Huntington has become an impossible hassle and has lost any of the charm it ever had. Port Jeff is a honkytonk...real fun to visit but you SURE don't want to live there!
Yeah, it's great to have a vibrant downtown. Just depends what your definition of "vibrant" is. A livable, walkable. interesting village with something for everyone and strong control of traffic is more important than businessbusinessbusiness. Northport is one of the few downtowns left that is amenable to people of all ages and temperaments.
Keep it that way.
well im 72 years pld and was born here im not in anyway for roof top dinning fumes from the traffice on main street while eating no way and ac on the roof running and fanes from kitchens roaring as i eat dont forget 2 other resturants below you all the smells of cooking food together bad idea
I went in with an open mind and now based on the ZBA presentation last night I am firmly opposed.
This would be nothing more than lots of more tables with the same food already found at Skippers downstairs so don't be fooled to think this is some new cool beach-like raw shack. It's simply a clever manipulation for Skippers to triple their size. It will create terrible parking issues that are already a big problem. Think how Huntington has gotten so bad (FYI- Modelewski, Skipper's attorney, is the guy that runs the Huntington ZBA so that's the track record we have). This will be even worse bcse Northport is so much more condensed. Their explanation that this is simply outdoor dining like those on the sidewalk is ridiculous. The sidewalk tables are temporary and can be eliminated if needed during crowded times like the cow harbor festival. Further proof of this poor comparison is that the sidewalk tables are not subject to fire codes and occupancy limits like this roof top would be. All they are doing is hugely expanding their restaurant and leaving a roof off to make us think it's just like the sidewalk tables. This is not in the spirit of the intent that the sidewalk tables were meant to provide. BTW- 37 more cars is the estimate that this expansion will require. Imagine trying to walk around and find 37 empty spaces in NPT. Enough said.
Drawing more people to Nport, increasing foot traffic, showing off gorgeous views....you should thank them for making the investment! This will undoubtedly enhance what people come to Nport for, and I am confident the owners will not let it become an issue of contention with the community. I would love to see Mr. Ernie Nowak and others be able to access this lovely spot, so if at all possible, consider elders' needs.. Bravo to Nport for encouraging business growth! Can't wait to enjoy it.
I am absolutely AGAINST it. It is impossible to park in town on a Friday or Saturday night as it is. I am not afraid to walk and often do so from my home a mile up Main St. in order to have dinner or go hear music downtown because there is no place to park. The other restaurants and bars are mostly doing well and this will just cut in to their business. Most of the other merchants close at 6 so that will not help them. Most of us who have been around for a long time are horrified with the idea of Northport becoming another Port Jefferson. I am not against change: would love to see a hotel/guest house, love the Farmer's Market, even thought the apartments over Skippers was an idea worthy of discussion, but a roof top bar/restaurant would bring in way too many people and cars clogging our sidewalks and streets.
its about time!!! Skippers has been in business since I can remember. I love our Village. this will add a beautiful dining experience for their customers as well as allowing a long upstanding business to continue to thrive in the community. With all of the turn over of shops Skippers wants to expand and create more jobs here, which will also have more people spending in the village... Just imagine how all the other business will benefit as well.... I say YES!!!!
We might as well turn our quaint town into "any town" in Nassau County. Over the years Npt. has lost it's charm to huge homes and driveways, loss of air, light and views between homes, traffic congestion, and to parking problems. We have allowed historic homes to be destroyed and we have allowed home/business owners to construct gigantic additions and/or tear down and rebuild structures that are out of proportion to the surroundings. Woodbine and Bayview are treacherous roads to drive, walk, and bike on already. The noise from town and traffic (including all the trucks-- that are suppose to be prohibited from driving on these roads, but which do on a daily basis) will obviously increase. The only people this project may benefit are the building owners and perhaps the stores. The residents will suffer from loss of quality of life once again. So sad if this passes.
I would be in favor of the rooftop dining only if a handicapped entrance is provided. I am 87 and just an entrance of steps would discourage me from ever going as much as I thought I would enjoy the evening
While it all sounds wonderful my main concern is parking, traffic and noise. I assume that there would be a band or music playing at some point in the week. I just wonder if the congestion might be too big a price.
This must be carefully looked into and regulated.
Parking is available in Northport village, it's just not convenient and people don't want to walk too far.
I'm for the rooftop dining idea, it would be great to be able to enjoys some fresh seafood and watch the sunset over the water.
A raw bar reasonably priced is sorely needed, some of the restaurants are charging as much as $16.00 a dozen. If it is fair priced, I am for it. A seaside Village as beautiful as ours needs this, it will boost the tourist trade and make this Village nicer than it already is. If that can even be possible. I love this Village it is like being on vacation year round.
It's always a balance between fresh ideas and progress while keeping what we love so much about Northport which is the small village charm. The Farmer's market is great but parking on a Saturday morning is near impossible. This illustrates the point about the traffic and parking issues we are seeing creep up slowly.
The rooftop raw bar would be nice IF we kept it to no more than about 50 seats. Also add a bit more parking for the village and trim back the Farmer's market to an ending time of 12 pm.
Absolitely for it.
Great idea, our local restaurant businesses are finally thriving: We need Northport to buy up some land behind main street and create a large parking area. Then sell off the parking lot property and create some great shopping, ice cream stands and restaurants on the water. It would be great for the local businesses and hopefully we can get some retail shops doing well.