Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Riverhead public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
5 issues in zoning with high priority
Business PB zoning modernization
The board scheduled a public hearing on rewriting the hamlet center, village center, business center, and business CR zoning districts plus supplementary use regulations — the first step in a major land-use code update.
Bluff-area development standards at 888 Sound Shore Road
A homeowner can now add a small addition to a cottage inside the coastal erosion hazard area at the Sound Shore Club seasonal community in Wading River.
Downtown Parking Utilization Plan
The town is exploring temporary parking solutions, such as adding spaces on Heidi Behr Way, to help local businesses survive construction disruptions from major downtown projects.
Stiffer penalties for landmark demolition and alteration
The current $1,000 fine for demolishing a historic landmark hasn't been updated since 2006 and clearly isn't scaring anyone off — the Spices building came down overnight for that amount. The proposal would raise demolition fines to $10,000-$15,000 and add tiered fines for alterations, with civil and Supreme Court remedies as backstops.
Golf course zoning district and golf cottages
The board is refining its golf cottage proposal after public pushback: 600 sq ft units, max two attached, no restaurants/spas, no residency. Planner Bergman proposed rezoning four more golf courses (The Rock, Cherry Creek, the Woods at Cherry Creek, Long Island National) to RA-80 so all courses can use the cottage/TDR tool — a hedge against courses closing and becoming subdivisions of up to 83 houses each.