How a 5-0 Vote in Smithtown is Costing You Money: The Truth About the Kings Park Tax Giveaway

The site of the Cornerstone Kings Park is the former Sombrero’s Southwest Grill, at 30 Indian Head Road.

And how Michael and Jesse will fight to stop reckless development deals that hurt homeowners.

A recent Newsday article by Jean-Paul Salamanca has exposed a deal that perfectly illustrates everything wrong with development in Smithtown. It’s a case study in how our current Town Board works for developers, not for us.

Let’s break down what’s happening, how it hurts every single homeowner, and what we’re going to do about it.

What’s Going On? The Kings Park Deal

The Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is considering $2 million in tax breaks for a new 46-unit rental complex in Kings Park, called “Cornerstone Kings Park.”

But here’s the crucial part: this project would not be possible without the unanimous approval of our Smithtown Town Board.

As the article states:

“In July, the Smithtown Town Board voted 5-0 to waive the full environmental review, accelerating its timeline for approval.”

This wasn't a casual vote. By waiving the full environmental review, the current administration fast-tracked a major development, ignoring potential concerns about traffic, infrastructure, and community character. This 5-0 vote paved the way for the developers to now ask for millions in tax breaks.

How This Directly Hurts Smithtown Homeowners

This deal is a double-whammy for residents. It’s not just about new buildings; it’s about a rigged system that shifts the financial burden onto you.

1. You Will Pay More in Taxes. Renters do not pay property taxes. The owner of the building does. When that owner—a developer—gets a massive tax break, our town, schools, and emergency services lose out on crucial funding.

Shala Pascucci, a Kings Park school board member, said it perfectly in the article:

She asked how the agency would make sure homeowners “don’t end up paying more, while the developers pay less.”Pascucci said the school district “relies heavily on tax revenue”...

The $2 million in forgiven taxes doesn't vanish. That shortfall must be made up by the rest of us—the homeowners who are already paying their full share. This means higher property taxes for you to fund our schools, libraries, police, and fire departments.

2. Strain on Our Resources and Quality of Life. This project adds 46 units on less than half an acre. Where will the children go to school? Where will the cars go during rush hour? The current administration waived the full review that would have answered these critical questions.

Suffolk Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga), a staunch opponent of this project, called it out:

“They shoehorn 46 units on less than half an acre... [It] will produce a burden on everyone else.”

This burden means more traffic on our local roads, more demand for our town services, and more overcrowding—all without the proper tax revenue to address these new problems.

3. A Conflict of Interest?The article highlights a glaring issue that erodes public trust:

“Tony Tanzi, owner of Tanzi Properties, serves on Smithtown's zoning board and has recused himself from town votes on the project.”

While Mr. Tanzi did the right thing by recusing himself, it underscores the too-cozy relationship between developers and the officials who are supposed to regulate them. Our government should be transparent and work for residents, not for the connected few.

Our Bipartisan Commitment to Stop the Recklessness

Michael and Jesse are running for Town Council to be your voice against these reckless deals. We believe in:

• Transparency and Full Reviews: We will vote NO on waiving environmental reviews for high-density projects. The community deserves to know the full impact on traffic, schools, and safety before a project is approved.

• Fighting Against Tax Giveaways: We will use our platform to advocate for the responsible usage of tax abatements for projects that benefit our community. We will stand with homeowners, not corporate developers.

• Smart, Balanced Development: We support revitalization that prioritizes homeownership, preserves our suburban character, and ensures new projects pay their full and fair share of taxes.

This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s a Smithtown issue. That’s why we are proud to stand with Republicans like Rob Trotta, who has consistently fought against these bad deals. We support the grassroots effort to write in Rob Trotta for Town Supervisor because his vision for a fiscally responsible Smithtown aligns with ours. We need a bipartisan team at Town Hall that puts residents first.

The Bottom Line

The current administration’s 5-0 vote set the stage for developers to skip their tax bill, leaving you to pay it. We will fight to change that.

We need a Town Council that asks, “What’s in it for our residents?” not “How fast can we approve this for developers?”

Source: Salamanca, Jean-Paul. "Suffolk IDA hears opposition to tax breaks for Kings Park apartment complex." Newsday, 20 Aug. 2025, https://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/kings-park-tanzi-apartments-fdgdy765.

(Note: As Newsday is a paid publication, we have summarized the key facts to ensure all residents have access to this critical information.)

Share this post to spread the word. Our community deserves to know what’s happening.#SmithtownFirst #StopRecklessDevelopment #TrottaForSupervisor