After listening to arguments last month in support of and opposed to a proposed Topgolf facility beside the Long Island Expressway in Holtsville, the Town of Brookhaven planning board followed up this week by voting 6-0 in favor of granting site-plan approval for the company's first New York location.
The approval requires that Topgolf plant additional trees and install 6-foot-high fencing along parts of the property that border residential neighborhoods, among other measures, according to Newsday and town documents. Topgolf must also get building permits from the town before it can begin construction at the site, which sits west of Nicolls Road at exit 62 of the LIE.
Though there is no opening date at the moment, with this latest Brookhaven approval, Topgolf's efforts to expand into New York are essentially sitting in the middle of the fairway, wedge in hand.
Brookhaven Councilman Kevin LaValle, who represents Holtsville on the town board, said Topgolf is "a very positive business" that would provide an economic boost to the area.
“I think what’s been put in place with the buffers ... really will help to mitigate the concerns,” LaValle said Tuesday in a telephone interview. "The response that I’ve had from people who live around here and people I know from college, everybody says it’s an amazing experience.” -- Carl MacGowan, Newsday, 9/18/19
Mixing dining, nightlife and technology with the traditional elements of a driving range, Topgolf facilities allow players to hit microchipped golf balls toward arcade-style target areas for computer-scored games and contests. Climate-controlled hitting bays are rented by the hour and typically include televisions, WiFi and access to food and drinks. Standard range features like lessons and clinics are also included. Currently, the closest Topgolf facility to Long Island is located in Edison, New Jersey (pictured).
For more, see previous GOLI posts on the proposed Topgolf:
Plans in place to bring Long Island's first Topgolf location to Holtsville (12/23/2017)
No updates on planned Topgolf facility in Holtsville (12/20/2018)
Holtsville residents tee off on plans for Long Island's first Topgolf facility (8/21/19)
[Photo courtesy of Topgolf]
