Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Riverhead public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
10 issues in development with medium priority
Jamesport minor subdivision and 1980s anti-subdivision covenant
A 6.27-acre parcel can't be split into two lots unless the board amends a decades-old covenant meant to protect Main Road's traffic safety. The board is waiting to hear the applicant's case before deciding.
Youngs Farm Development Rights Acquisition
The board accepted appraisals for a joint purchase of development rights at Youngs Farm — a step forward in preserving the farmland.
Andersson Acres subdivision school district split
A revived ~70-acre subdivision across the LIRR tracks won approval of its 35-lot yield map and 33-lot cluster sketch plan, preserving just over 70% of the land and splitting between two school districts.
Baiting Hollow Golf Club cell tower flag debate
Elite Towers wants a 140-foot monopole on Sound Avenue, but the residential zoning doesn't allow it — a use variance is needed. Visual impact along the scenic corridor is the big question.
Verizon tower at 285 Hubbard Avenue
A new 120-foot stealth tower is proposed next to homes and Fire Station 2. Staff wants landscaping to screen the tired Verizon maintenance yard and an FAA compliance report; the tower could later grow to 130 feet under the code.
Hampton Motors expansion at 300 Mill Road
A busy auto-body shop wants to add workspace and vehicle storage. It needs ZBA relief for setbacks, and the board cleared the environmental review hurdle so it can get there.
Sound Shore Farms agricultural worker housing
A farm on Sound Avenue wants to convert an old building into dormitory-style housing for six farmworkers. It's a small, staff-supported project, but the board flagged a real question: how does the town actually verify the people living there work on that farm?
Calverton Aviation Litigation
The CDA is spending roughly $95,000 more on outside legal costs for the ongoing Triple Five lawsuit over the EPCAL property. A resident wants the dollar amounts spelled out in future resolutions.
Harbes Orchard Estates subdivision preserves farmland and woods
The Harbes family wants to split a 10.67-acre parcel at 30 Halsey Road into four house lots while keeping the working orchard and wooded areas intact. The unusual flag-lot layout took 13 tries to get right, and the board will decide at a future meeting whether to accept the sketch.
Conversion of former spa/restaurant to HVAC business at 1175 West Main Street
The old Buoy One site gets a facelift for a heating and air conditioning business — repaving, marked parking, fencing and landscaping that make the long-nonconforming property less of an eyesore.