Riverhead · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Riverhead public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Home occupation in detached structure requires Town Board special permit
Even if the ZBA grants the variances, running the cleaning business office from the detached garage would need a separate special permit from the Town Board — another full hearing process.
Election Voting Guide
Early voting for the Nov. 3 election is happening now at Riverhead Town Hall, and Suffolk County voters can cast a ballot at any early voting site. Before you go, check the hours, locations, and what you need to bring—it’s mainly about making voting fit your schedule.
Affordable Housing Funding
Riverhead’s planned Northville Commons just got a $3.67 million boost from the state. That money helps move an 80-unit affordable housing project forward—meaning more below-market homes could actually get built. If you care about rent costs or local construction, this is a real step, not just talk.
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.
Commercial Fire Protection Compliance
The Fire Marshal's office has transitioned to an online platform to track commercial fire system inspections, which has generated some questions and confusion among local business owners.
Additional parking on Heidi Behr Way
The board is exploring adding parallel parking along Heidi Behr Way downtown. A quote in the packet prices linestriping 19 spaces and one hatched area at about $4,725.
Signage and traffic circulation at Mill Road/Route 58 commercial center
Five sign applications were on the ARB docket, covering businesses on Old Country Road, Heroes Way, the Tanger outlets and Main Road. The board's decisions shape the visual character and lighting of these commercial corridors.
Brownfield cleanup grant
North Shore Sprinkler Supply is legalizing paving, drainage and landscaping work done without town approval after a 2023 state environmental violation. The work is largely done and drew praise from the board for its appearance.
Extension of lapsed zoning approvals
Several projects around town — a restaurant addition, a garage, a Jamesport subdivision — got extra time because construction or approvals lagged past their original deadlines.
Retail parking ratios and assessment of outdoor commercial use
Board members questioned whether a roofing/construction business is operating from a home the owner is converting to a two-family, citing a fleet of trucks, extra electric meters and a Justice Court conditional discharge barring commercial activity. The hearing was adjourned for investigation.
Shared parking reduction for mixed-use shopping centers
Big shopping centers are required to build parking for peak demand that rarely happens — the old Walmart plaza uses at most 26% of its 954 required spaces. The proposal would let any reviewing board grant up to a 20% parking reduction with real traffic data, potentially freeing land for redevelopment.
Notice deficiency in off-site parking appeal
A Lincoln Street parking case got bumped to November because it wasn't properly calendared and noticed — a procedural slip that delayed the applicant and the public's chance to weigh in.
Indoor agricultural facility at 645 Grumman Boulevard
A 126,000-square-foot indoor growing facility is planned for 645 Grumman Blvd. in Calverton, with ten acres of pine barrens preserved. The board set parking at 121 spaces based on an expert workforce analysis.
Wading River four-family dwelling dispute
Bruce Brenner is appealing the building inspector's finding that his Wading River property is a legal three-family dwelling, not four-family. Old town records from the 1950s-60s are being reviewed; decision expected December 10.
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.
Vietnam Veterans Recreation Path Praised
Bruce Kagan congratulated the board on the nine-mile veterans memorial path around Calverton Enterprise Park, calling it the jewel of the East End, and flagged future trail expansion interest.
Disabled Veterans Tax Exemption Local Law
A new state law gives 100% disabled veterans a full property tax exemption, becoming mandatory in October 2026. Veterans told the board the eligibility rules are confusing and exclude many with PTSD who don't need home modifications.
Sandy Pond Trade Shops vs. Commercial Storage
John McAuliff questioned whether the approved 'trade shops' at Sandy Pond golf course were meant to allow contractor storage rental, arguing the large buildings hurt the site's aesthetics.
Calverton water main extension funding
Engineering services and bid notices for water main installations at boundary extensions 95, 96, and 97, Forge Road, and Summerwind are on the September 1 agenda.
Crown Recycling Enforcement Activity
Code enforcement opened 82 complaints and issued 146 violations in April, with unpermitted construction and junk vehicles big issues. Two new part-time officers start June 8 to boost residential patrols.
ICE Enforcement and OLA Safety Law Debate
OLA of Eastern Long Island and a long line of residents urged the town to adopt a local law governing how ICE operations interact with local police — transparency, identification of agents, and limits on town resources. The board took no action but heard roughly a dozen speakers.
Riverhead LIRR Train Station Disrepair
Warren McKnight presented photos of peeling paint at the train station and demanded the town pressure the MTA; the board agreed to send a letter, using the tactic that previously got potholes fixed.
Petrocelli Master Developer Closing and IDA Benefits
A resident questioned whether a law firm representing both a developer and the town creates conflicts, and whether the Master Developer can actually complete the downtown project. It's a question of confidence in the town's biggest redevelopment effort.
2027 Preliminary Budget Amendments and Tax Levy Reduction
Six amendments trimmed the proposed 2027 tax increase from 2.79% to 1.79% by shifting one-time purchases to fund balance and cutting excess reserves. Supervisor Halpin abstained on four, warning of a repeat of the 2022 under-budgeting that cost $2 million.
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.
Walmart supercenter expansion at 1890 Old Country Road
Walmart wants to add a grocery section and about 27,000 square feet to its Old Country Road store, turning it into a supercenter with EV chargers and online pickup. The board wants the parking lot trees kept and a less boxy building design before the plan moves ahead.
Sound Shore Guild bulkhead replacement
The board reviewed awarding the bid for the bulkhead repair, with work expected to start within weeks, plus a budget transfer from community benefit funds.
Water district rust complaints and flushing program
Rusty, discolored water hit hundreds of Wading River and Calverton customers, ruining some residents' laundry. An engineered overnight flushing starts October 18 to clear iron particles from the mains, and the district is investigating what disturbed the system.
Breezy Hill crushing facility environmental study rejected
Breezy Hill Group VI wants to convert a nonconforming residential property into a C&D debris processing facility with concrete and asphalt crushing. About 60 residents showed up to oppose it, citing noise, dust, truck traffic, and property values. The ZBA can't decide until the Planning Board's environmental review is resolved, so the hearing stays open.
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.
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.
Historical markers at three town sites
The town historian wants markers honoring the town's oldest business, the Aquebogue Park area, and the Wading River Congregational Church, timed to America's 250th anniversary. A foundation grant would cover the roughly $5,000-per-marker cost, so taxpayers wouldn't pay. Board members were supportive but want the wording fixed first.
8-foot fence variance at proposed Wading River house of worship and cemetery
The team building a house of worship with a cemetery on five acres on Route 25A wanted an 8-foot deer fence to keep deer — and the ticks they carry — away from grave visitors. The board unanimously said no, citing precedent and the fact that deer clear 8-foot fences anyway.
Sweezy Avenue two-lot subdivision variances
A family wants to split a ~12,600-square-foot lot into two ~6,300-square-foot lots so a new house can be built for their daughter. That's far below the 40,000-square-foot RA-40 minimum, and the board's attorney flagged that the lots were merged before the family bought the property in 2015. The board reserved decision and floated the town's new accessory dwelling unit law as a workaround.
Summerwin stop-work order update
The board gave preliminary approval to 16 clustered homes on 30 acres in Aquebogue, with two agricultural reserves and a ban on commercial cannabis growing there. Neighbors won protections on the right-of-way and open space, and the developer will pay $75,000 in parks fees.
Preservation of 1458 Middle Road, Calverton
After a year of advocacy, the town is paying for an appraisal of the 5.3-acre Koblenski farm parcel — the first concrete step toward preserving it as open space rather than seeing it anchor a 500-home development. Residents hope the historic farmhouse and kettle holes can be saved.
Horton Avenue/Reeves Avenue Intersection Safety
A Calverton man whose friend was killed at the Horton/Reeves intersection in 2021 asked the board again for a traffic control device; the board agreed to put it on the traffic safety committee agenda.
CDBG Funding for Local Nonprofits
Four nonprofits pitched for federal block grant money: a school social worker program, a soup kitchen serving 250+ meals a week, a veterans equine therapy program, and a youth business program. Written comments are open until October 24 before the board decides.
RVAC Ambulance Barn Project and 75-Year Lease
A new ambulance corps building is moving forward — $6.4 million raised toward an $8-9 million modular facility, entirely through donations and ambulance billing, not taxes. Construction bid expected out next month.
Stop Sign Codification at Northville Turnpike/Doctor's Path
A housekeeping local law to formally codify a stop intersection that's existed since at least 2018 near the old Halleck Fabricating building — requested by Suffolk County DPW.
North Fork Transmission Line Home Rule Stand
The board unanimously declared that the Suffolk County Water Authority's transmission line route via Main Road is NOT immune from Riverhead zoning — a significant assertion of local control over a county project.
Church Lane Speeding in Aquebogue
A 51-year Church Lane resident says speeding on the winding road is deadly dangerous — cars doing 45-50 in a 35 zone with no room to dodge. She was directed to the August 27 traffic safety meeting.
Brush fire staging area at Veterans Park (EPCAL)
A $100,000 state grant secured by Assemblywoman Giglio will build a staging area for firefighters battling brush fires along Sound Avenue, where dead trees and roadside conditions have made firefighting dangerous.
Roanoke Avenue parking garage funding and design
A long-awaited federal RAISE grant contract is expected within weeks, unlocking $2 million in county funds to design the multi-deck parking garage near downtown.
Preservation of the 4-H Camp property
The town is weighing whether to buy into preserving the 145-acre 4-H camp property with Suffolk County and the Peconic Land Trust. Supporters gathered nearly 300 petition signatures; critics like Ken Zilnicki argue the price — roughly $110,000/acre versus the $69,000 the trust paid — is too high and the land would generate tax revenue if developed.
RD Pilesgrove LLC subdivision restart at 3544 Sound Avenue
A 2008-approved, 12-lot clustered subdivision on 35 acres of farmland and woodland on Sound Avenue never got finalized, and its approval expired in 2009. The new owner must start over under today's stricter rules, including the 70% open-space preservation goal and possible workforce housing obligations — and neighbors will get a new public hearing.
Great Rock Golf Club improvements legalization
The golf course cleared land without approval and now wants to legalize Hole 17 improvements. The board wants the wooded buffer along Fairway Drive formally mapped and legally protected before signing off.
Payment in lieu of parking (PILOP) program
Consultants propose letting downtown developers pay $18,000 per parking stall instead of building on-site parking, with the money locked into a dedicated fund for public parking — including the planned Roanoke Avenue garage. Downtown already shows a deficit of roughly 144 to 278 spaces at existing occupied apartment projects, and more development is coming.
Private Special Event Legislation
Winery owner Charles Massoud and Farm Bureau director Bill Zalakar blasted the draft 31-page special events code for targeting farms with fees, penalties, and financial disclosures. The board says agriculture is being pulled out as the code is rewritten.