Developer files same controversial plan for Jamesport site
The latest proposal to develop property on Main Road in Jamesport doesn’t stray from the previous owner’s controversial commercial building plans.
TDG Jamesport Owner, a Woodbury real estate investment group, has submitted a site plan to develop a nearly 10-acre wooded property it purchased last summer across from The Elbow Room restaurant.
The proposal includes constructing ten buildings totaling 42,000-square feet of commercial space for retail stores, offices and two bistros, which is the same plan submitted in 2008 by the previous owner, Julius Klein of Jul-Bet Enterprises.
Robert DiNoto, president of TDG Jamesport Owner and The DiNoto Group in Huntington, confirmed in an interview Monday both development plans are the same.
“That was certainly the easiest route to go, as opposed to spending a lot of money to put together something new,” he said.
In 2012, the Town Board approved a special permit to allow offices and bistros for a 42,000-square-foot commercial project called Village at Jamesport.
The special permit approval, which town officials said has since expired, was challenged in court by a community group Save Main Road, which was created in part to halt the proposal.
A state Supreme Court judge dismissed that lawsuit in January 2013. One year later, the developer filed for bankruptcy.
When asked for comment about the latest proposal, Larry Simms of Save Main Road said he wasn’t surprised the new owner submitted the same application as the previously owner.
“I hope this time the Town Board actually looks at the facts and makes an appropriate decision, instead of making stuff up,” he said.
Mr. DiNoto said he’s aware of the opposition to the previous application and believes his company will “be able to figure something out that will work for everyone.”
“We’re a new game and new people,” he said. “My folks live out on the East End and I like the area, so I took a shot and bought the mortgage.”
Mr. DiNoto’s company also purchased the adjacent 34-acre property from Jul-Bet Enterprises, which had proposed to build a 160-unit retirement community. In 2004, the town rezoned that property to only allow about 15 homes.
Mr. DiNoto said he doesn’t have a plan for that property yet. In July, his company purchased both the 10-acre land and the 34-acre property for about $5 million.
Photo: TDG Jamesport Owner is proposing to build a commercial development at this wooded lot on Main Road in Jamesport. (Credit: Tim Gannon)
