Riverhead · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Riverhead public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.