A six-month moratorium on building in the Village of Farmingdale was approved by the board of trustees at their June 5 monthly meeting.

The decision, met by applause from a crowded board room, will halt the issuance of building permits for the construction of new and expanded buildings, demolition permits for buildings, subdivision approvals and variances related to lot area, lot dimensions or setbacks for new buildings in commercial and residential areas.

Proposed changes to commercial and residential structures that do not increase its square footage or parking demands will not be included in the moratorium, which was the first recommendation by the Vision Long Island team after February's week-long visioning process.

Applicants currently tied up in the permit process who wish to proceed will have to submit a letter of hardship to the village and have their case heard before the board.

"The first thing that needs to happen during a moratorium is to take stock or inventory of the problem," Village Attorney Kevin Walsh said.

According to Mayor George Graf, the village should have a definitive number of how many homes are susceptible to being demolished and the land split between multiple dwellings.

"We have been concerned about this since we took office," he added. "What we want to see come of this is a much more heightened sense of what we would like to see in the village."

Echoing each other's sentiments village residents addressed the board on their support of a moratorium.

"I would firmly like to see this passed," Chuck Gosline said.

Lou Cantone, who lives on Nelson Street, said the building "is very congested and out of control."

"Farmingdale is going to become like Queens Village soon," he added.

The scarcity of parking when additional homes are added to a residential street was another hot button issue.

"I want to be able to park in front of my house when I come home," Bob Callahan said. "It's one of the unwritten laws of suburbia."

Two Duane Street residents who have recently seen land subdivided on their block mentioned concerns about overcrowding the schools.

"My son doesn't even have a locker when he goes to Howitt next year," one woman said.

Frank Gatto suggested the board consider forming committees or focus groups during the moratorium process to keep residents involved and updated.

Not every attendee shared the crowd's overall sentiment of support for the moratorium. A Farmingdale resident and builder said it would have a negative impact to the community.

"I work in concert with this community and this board," he said. "I have eliminated four illegal two-family houses, two boarding houses and brought up the value of Rose Street."

He said the addition of new homes and businesses bring increased tax revenue and clean up blighted areas of the village.

After doubting any member of the board was an expert on moratoriums, he said "an economic impact study should be completed before voting."

The board closed the public hearing and unanimously voted in favor of a six-month moratorium. There is a provision in the Local Law 1 2006 that enables the moratorium to be extended for two three-month periods if the board sees necessary.

"This is going to help us manage the situation from here on in," Mayor Graf said.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 10 at 7 p.m. At that meeting Eric Alexander and the Vision Long Island group will present a formal review and update of the village's master plan.