Full Transcript

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. the water hearing was last Tuesday and is open for to the end of next week. We expect the water to be approved. It's a very expensive addition. It's going to be over $300,000 to bring the water from Linda Lane West down to the site. The applicant, though, I think is willing to do one thing that Craig hadn't talked about along the lot number four, which borders Linda Lane West properties. The applicants are willing to have the 20-foot buffer so that they'll keep a distance from the neighbors at that site. I think he's said just about all that can be said, and we're here to answer any questions. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Cuddy, can we do a buffer around all of the lots, a 20-foot buffer around all the lots, just on the exterior of the lots? We probably could. We hadn't looked at it, but certainly the one that borders the other properties would be significant. I don't know if it would make a difference to do that, but the other lots are a bit smaller, and I just... They are a bit small, but there are trees there, and save as many as you can. Well, I think as far as buffering goes is one thing. As far as saving the trees is another thing. I don't anticipate that the trees are going to be as big as the other ones. I think they'll be taken...a lot of them are going to be taken there. I think they'll remain, but I've just told the reserves doing that buffer because all those lots actually go to the farm area, so there isn't anything that they come up against. Well, I don't know if it goes all the way to the farm area. I think it's still some wooded area. Well, you're concerned about keeping wooded area? Yes, that's not a problem. I understand that. That's fine.

Okay, thank you. Anybody from the public like to speak? Sir? I just want to remind everybody this is a public hearing, so you have to give your name and address for the record, please. John McAuliffe, 64 Jean Court in Rolling Woods. While I often speak, I have a very direct personal interest in this one, as I'm sure Mr. Doneski has too. This is our neighborhood. I think in the best of all possible worlds, we would love to keep the wooded area there. It's a loss of a nice buffer that protects the Rolling Wood area from Sound Avenue, from noise and from the atmosphere that can come from Sound Avenue. But, you know, you could have said the same thing about the properties where our houses are now, too. And I don't know what the balancing line is. I'm more concerned about the consequences of other projects in the future, like the resort area. But in this particular case, I think that as much – it's not just, of course, the human beings, but the wildlife that inhabit that area that will be disrupted by this construction. It isn't entirely clear Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay.

Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. something of a buffer and something of a wooded area it's too hilly to be used for many at much agricultural purpose so I just wanted to ask that you ascertain exactly what's happening on on lot five and otherwise I don't think you know it's as I say in the best of all possible worlds we would maintain a lot of woodland that gets lost so thank you great you want to answer that Justin if you can zoom in a little bit on this map on the table here

so there we go all right so this one right here that I've highlighted in green this is the boundary of the area that's being subdivided for residential purposes there is a line here which you can sort of make out which that's the extent of the existing limit of woods there is no proposed development right now on that this area is the area that's subject to the deed of development rights in the future if they wanted to farm it I don't know if there's anything in the deed off the top of my head I can research that for the board's knowledge but there is no proposed development outside to the south or west of this green line so this would be the limits of the residential subdivision no development in this area John you have to speak from the microphone because it's a public hearing and Greg lot five is the entire 22 acres correct so yes there is no there is no residential development on lot number five that is subject to the Suffolk County deed of development rights there is no residential development the only thing they could do is to make sure that the residential development is in line with the deed of development rights and the only thing they could do is to make sure that the residential development is in line with the deed of development rights and the only thing they could do there is there is agriculture to the extent even if they wanted to put up farm structures they would need to go to the Suffolk County farmland preservation I believe is the farmland preservation board they would need to get approval from Suffolk County just as they did for when they went for the farm stand-up on sound there's no residential development on the agricultural lot they do have another farm building in already on the far west side of the property so greenhouse and So, there are the . Yeah, it's totally connected to the land, so that's not an issue. So, no, you've resolved – you've just said what my question was. So, that land is – the only thing that can go in is farmland, as I said. That is correct. Lot 5 in its entirety is a . All right. Well, we appreciate the fact that we will still have something of a barrier, and the deer will be very happy. Good evening, gentlemen. My name is Connie Stelzer, and I am a resident at 48 Linda Lane West. It is my neighbor. I have been there for 50 years. I am one of the longest residing residents there, because the people who originally came have now passed. This is the first I see. I'm going to go through the locality of where the driveway is going to come in. Of course, it's going to be right behind this stump, which is right next to me. I am on a hill, and it goes up higher. So, I do not think – and the gentleman who owns this property has the right to sell whatever he feels. Long as we are going to still keep our natural animals – the deer, the locality, the locality those goats, the geese, and all of that that we are so familiar with. There's nothing like Riverhead. I was born and raised here. My father was a farmer, and now my great-grand-nephew runs that same piece of property. So my interest in Riverhead is very dear. When I come out of Rolling Woods, and that's another thing, the Rolling Woods, when we talked about the buffer, please, could we have some kind of distance so that we still have our beautiful oak trees and different things back there? We need our natural. We need all of our animals that we have and the birds and everything. Please, dear God, don't take down all those trees. So I am requesting and asking, you're the owner, aren't you, sir? Yes, I've met you many, many years ago. I just request that perhaps you leave us with a nice buffer, be time to some up behind my property, next to Phil and everything, and I don't know how Eddie's property goes back there, but to have something so we're not looking like a real, community of houses. And I see these lots are very large, so I don't think we're going to find buyers who are going to be buying cheap property. I don't think that they will be affording a cheap house. So I think who we are going to be bringing into the neighborhood, we will welcome with open arms. But my only request is, please do not take down all the trees. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you, Connie. Well said. Next speaker.

We've got enough neighbors to have a block party here. Nobody wants to speak. Yeah, hello. Hello. We have somebody on Zoom. Can you hear us? Can you hear us? I'm glad you're coming on Zoom. Yep.

Is anyone there? Hello. Yo, hi, Phil. We can hear you. Hi, fellas. Okay. More neighbors. Good neighbors. Hey, this is Phil. I'm a lawyer. I live in 40 East Lindo Lane West. I'm Tony's neighbor. Phil, if you could speak a little closer to the microphone, please. I'm a neighbor. I'm a lawyer. I live in 40 East Lindo Lane West. I live in this area with block number four. This is pretty close to my property. And I'm okay with that. But I would request that we preserve the trees and have more of a buffer zone. We like to have... We're worried about the trees that I get right now. The trees... The beach trees are suffering from a disease. And we may be losing quite a few of them. Those trees. Someone filled out a buffer and it would be beneficial for us. And we can't... All of them, they've been a concern.

We're looking for a healthy, well-worn buffer. And we would like to save as many trees as possible. If we can... Yeah, I know you have the power to do that. If you can do that for us, we appreciate it. We'd love to preserve the environment, the trees, the animals. Roaming woods is... That's the name, roaming woods. We'd like to keep as many woods as possible.

My wife is here. She has something else to say. I'm going to put her off for a second. I think you said it beautifully. We know that you have the power to require buffers. And we would ask... We would ask you to use that power to protect the area to the greatest extent possible while this development is permitted and inevitable. It is roaming woods. As Connie said, we're now living in the house that she built 50 years ago. It's a neighborhood where people grow up and then return to live. And they live there because it's roaming woods. Because of its beauty. Because of its sense. Because of its community. Its history. It's an important part of the character of the neighborhood. And the trees are a part of that. And so we're asking you to use your authority and use it wisely. And preserve as much of the woods as buffer. To have a healthy and a well-reliated buffer between our lots. Which about this particular lot, number four. But also between those lots. Mr. Irvin mentioned that vegetation was going to be required. Which we're happy to hear. I know between the lots and rural roads. And between the lots and the agricultural area. So we're asking for similar consideration with our properties. And between those properties. So that the character of the neighborhood which is priceless will be preserved. Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to share our concerns with you. We have consequences. So thank you. Thank you very much for your comments. Any other speakers? Yes.

Hi. My name is Brenda Kowalski. My husband and I. My husband Chet and I live on 60 South Drive. We are adjacent. We're at a dead end on South Drive in Reeves Park. And we are budding right up to lot number five. I just want to say we agree with the previous people that spoke wholeheartedly. And we would like that buffer as well. What we wanted to know. There is one question I had. What's the distance from the end of South Drive to that first lot number four? The distance heading east to west. Or west to east rather. If anyone. Knows the distance. Justin if we can get the eye in the sky over here on the map.

So from South Drive to the western end of lot number four. It's approximately two hundred and ninety feet. Give or take. Okay. And again. So this this line right here is the required setback. So you have two hundred and ninety feet and then another sixty feet before any structure would be constructed. Okay. I say okay. I thank you for that and as I said we would. Prefer to keep the trees we don't own the property but we would prefer the natural environment and the animals as previous speakers have said. The other question is there is a gate at the end of our road that goes into his property and we just wondered you know would there be anything in the future that's going to elongate South Drive and not make it a dead end. Is that going to be something in the future. that we don't know what the gates certainly don't think there's going to be a road or a house on that property there would be no reason to have a road it's going to be farm either cleared for farming or just left wooded whatever the the owner wants but i don't think you'll ever see a road there okay that's good news but brenda he the people who own the property do have the right to take maybe a tractor or something and to use that as a public okay i understand there will never be any homes on that house okay maybe a farm building in the future if he decides to do that okay but he's already farming down you know further south and one more question initially on the letter that we received it said that um it was to subdivide two existing parcels to create four so i just want to know what the two existing were unless you covered that already that wasn't clear to me so um um this is something that typically happens and it's sort of a byproduct of the sale of development rights to a property when the deeds for the sale of development rights are recorded and they go to the county clerk and real property they essentially it essentially creates an illegal subdivision so these lots a lot number five right now the proposed subdivision i believe is lot number 6.1 this subdivision area right now exists is 6.2 so they are right now they're two separate parcels but they were never legally created it sort of happens when the deeds are recorded this has happened many times the planning board has kind of had to approve subdivisions after the fact where a farmer sells his development rights he'll retain a lot for a residential home an applicant will go to the health department to try to erect a house on that property and the health department doesn't recognize it so the two lots that exist right now is that are 6.1 6.2 6.1 will be lot number five of the subdivision where the development rights are sold so they're creating really four new residential lots i do i do get it's a little a little confusing the way it's worded could you currently show me that again what were the original two and what's the four now justin can we zoom out a little bit so i can see the whole map on the all right a little more keep going keep going there we go all right so lot number six 6.1 is the land where the development rights are sold lot number 6.2 is the tract where they're going to create the residential lots okay and that as i said that sort of happens when they go to record the deeds with the county clerk it essentially parcelizes the land they get they're assigned new tax map numbers even though it's not a legal subdivision at that point okay so the four now are in 6.2 four an hour in six point okay

okay i think that's it thank you very much for letting me speak i appreciate it thank you any other speakers chairman i just have one question mr cuddy would your client consider like you said there's probably no need to have a buffer around all four locs but would they consider a 30 foot buffer instead of 20 to make the residents and back happier yeah please and I understand that the 30 foot from West going east would run into the driveway but then it would just that's that's what I'm there's a sump in that area I don't think that's as big but I don't think that's a problem I do think that she just said it's a 15 foot area as you come in initially where the sump is but otherwise I don't think that is a problem I just wanted to had something that the woman was concerned about what Craig was explaining I think was done quite well but just to add to it every time you have a development rights sale the county tax people in since that there are two lots and you have the lot that's developed and the lot that is development rights sold and that's all that's happened here and so that's why we wrote it the way we did thank you any other speakers move we close it here one second gentlemen a quick comment thank you when you sit on a planning board you get to decide things that are in people's backyards not easy a lot of times this one's in my backyard my wife and I have enjoyed that view for 25 years Connie 50 years but we took advantage of our neighbors view we we looked at it we didn't give any compensation we just enjoyed it I do support his property rights he pays taxes he has the right to do for lots there and I support it I don't think any of the neighbors or myself would mind a buffer there but I think it's going to be a nice project and I thank you for the view for all the years I had it Joe now you can go movie closed Marist farm hearing moved in second may we have a vote please mr. Zernicki yes mr. Manero mr. bear yes and I vote aye the motion passes okay moving along to discussion items Greg Berman Northville acres minus subdivision tell us what you got to say about that quick

all right so for this application I will have asked Mike Kim act to come up to the table applicants representative thank you thank you application that the planning board first reviewed back in late 2022. It's the minor subdivision of Northville Acres. The subject property is located at 821 Northville Turnpike. When this application was initially submitted to the planning board, it was a three lot minor subdivision. The map is a little busy, so I will just sort of point out the areas on the map. This area so that the board can easily identify it and I showed it on your maps as well. That's a wetland that runs through the center of the property. It's a part of Sawmill Creek just for easily identification. When the application was first submitted and reviewed, the applicant proposed a three lot minor subdivision. So this would have been lot number one, which has an existing single family residence and a detached garage on the property. And they were seeking approval to subdivide it and create two residential lots up here on the northern end of the property. When we coordinated Seagate, we considered it an unlinked. Listed action. We did initiate secret coordination back in late 2022. Uh, 1 of the agencies involved in the review and approval was the town of riverhead conservation advisory council. When this application came to the red conservation advisory council. The essentially said that they wouldn't approve the intensity of development on the northern lot. Because of the proximity, both to the wetlands here, and there is also a wetland to the north of the property. So they're essentially. A little. Section of dry land between 2 wetlands. So. After a couple of meetings with the and some discussion, uh, said they would approve a 2 lot subdivision. So the applicant has revised the map. So it is a 2 lot subdivision. Now. The dividing line would be right down the center of the wetlands. Um, the setbacks, you know, the development would take. Place 100 feet minimum from the wetland areas. Um, the developments, anyone, they make an application to. The development. The development. The development. The development. The development. The development. The development. approvals from the CAC and DEC approval for any grading within the jurisdictional areas so what we have before us now is essentially two lot minor subdivision would create create one new residential lot on North End with the potential to build one new single family residence is that blue line the hundred foot line or is it just so about the hundred foot line is so this is the hundred foot DEC jurisdictional line so the area the area in blue is the location of the wetland this buffer here this area that's the 100 foot New York State DEC jurisdictional area and then the CAC would be another 50 feet beyond that so we have based on the review we do have a resolution on to assume lead agency and issue a negative declaration for the revised two lot subdivision map as well as a resolution to schedule a public hearing on the application just a little history on the property just north of there was Duncan's duck farm just east of there was flippin's pig farm that was my stomping ground as a kid I know what I guess it's Latin America mm-hmm it's got that long driveway how far is that from Northville turnpike intersection so this entire this entire stretch is about 500 feet so I mean yeah the gravel driveway away from the intersection of 58 oh oh 500 feet okay yeah it's it's significant ways away but yeah the length of the driveway would probably be about 300 feet give or take okay anything else board members no I'm just looking forward to someone cleaning that area I deal a lot with DC I do love it I've always found it to be a very reasonable approach we did work this through we did try to get an additional lot it was it was more intense obviously theoretically meet the 40,000 right thank you theoretically meet the 40,000 square foot but at the same time the CDC felt that the sensitivity period about justified that second law so we came in with just just two months half a loaf half a loaf is better than none anything else thank you very much thanks great thanks okay the next discussion item is the Terra Vita winery and continued residence tasting room conversion with Greg Berman thank you thank you I believe we have Greg Goodale as well, who's the owner of the property, if they'd like to come up and join the discussion.

Alright, just for the record, if you guys could introduce yourself. Arthur Rast, of the Sandusky Architects. Greg Goodale, owner of Taravita Winery and of the said 250 Metter Lane property. Thank you. So, what we have is a site plan application which is seeking approval to convert an existing single family residence which is located on the same property as a vineyard and wine tasting room. They're looking to convert the existing single family room, single family residence into additional tasting room. space as well as a small retail wine sales to go area. The application also proposes additional parking to facilitate the proposed expansion. Regarding secret, it's a type 2 action as it involves construction or expansion of an accessory or primary non-residential structure involving less than 4,000 square feet. So, there's no further environmental review required. Subject property is located in the agricultural protection zone where agricultural production is a permitted use as well as farm operations meaning the processing of agricultural products and the marketing of sale. Just for the board's knowledge, this site was originally developed with a single family residence. The owner at the time came in before the Riverhead Town Board in 2005 and got site plan approval. Justin, if we could zoom in just a little bit here. In 2005, the Town Board granted site plan approval to construct the wine tasting room. There is about one acre of grapes planted on the property and the single family residence at the time was retained for residential use. So, the wine tasting room and the vineyard operation is a legal use within the APC zoning district. I did note that the garage on the northern neighboring property is currently where the wine is produced and as I understand that's pursuant to the farm wineries license. In order to facilitate the additional parking required by the change of use, the site plan does propose a row of 13 parking stalls along the south side of the access driveway. I did note on page 3 of the staff report during peak hours, this is essentially where people are parking anyway right now. I do just recommend the installation of like wheel stops whether they're railroad ties or some sort of block to just sort of identify and physically delineate the stalls. Is it pavement now or stone? It's grass. It's grass. Yeah, the area to the south of the driveway is currently grass. So, any lighting on the site needs to just be brought into compliance with the Dark Skies code. We did receive comments from the Riverhead Fire Marshal. They just noted that fire apparatus access must be maintained, which is a rule. The applicant is proposing no parking fire zone along here so that way in the event of an emergency they have access to the property. I did refer the application to the Riverhead Water District. They stated that the conversion of the residential use to a commercial use will require the installation of an RPZ. So, it's recommended the applicant begin the application process with the Water District. Conversion of the residence to the commercial tasting room space will require approval from the Health Department. Prior to the issuance of the building permit. And just one note, they will need to provide some ADA accessibility, which they are proposing. An ADA accessible handicap ramp. So, they will need to, that will be required. Beyond that, I mean, in the scope of the application, it's not a significant conversion. It's not a new structure. It already exists. Essentially a change of use. Essentially a change of use, yeah. The residence now, is someone living there in the house? No. Okay. It's vacant. They make wine right there? In the barn on 260, which we own 260 and 270. Stainless or oak? Both. 2023 whites are available. Did you bring samples? Greg, how many extra stalls, parking stalls? So, right now they have about 11 parking stalls here. They're going to propose a row of 13 stalls along the south side of that driveway. And there's, they could fit two additional stalls in front of the existing tasting room. So, 15 additional parking stalls on site, which will help during peak hours. Ultimately, if people have to park on the lawn here during a busy season, there's no prohibition currently with parking on Manor Road. You know, it consistently happens through other sites throughout town.

Not a significant conversion. Greg, how many acres of grapes do you have to supply? And not just here, but in other areas? Well, this year we have about five, and then we're planting an additional five acres. So, in 20, at the end of 2024, we'll have about nine acres, nine to ten acres of grapes. Okay. And all your wine is from your own grapes, right, presently? Yeah. I mean, we have in the past bought a few tons to an open market, but my goal is to grow, harvest, ferment. And bottle and consume all on site. Okay. Good. Good luck. Good luck. Thank you. At this time, we invite public comments on resolutions. Anybody?

I'll move Resolution 2024-019, Lally, Ossard, and Miner subdivisions. So moved. Second. Moved and second. May we have a vote, please? Mr. Zornicki? Yes. Mr. Ninaro? Aye. Mr. Behr? Yes. And I vote yes. The motion carries. 24-20. Before you guys vote on 20, I will just acknowledge for the record the amendment that was made earlier this afternoon. I apologize, I did not get to update it on the website. There was a minor change to the language in number one of the resolves relating to the stormwater pollution prevention language. That was reviewed by the town attorney's office and signed off on. Thank you. 2024 020 gershaw recycling of riverhead resolution granting site plan approval for the kershaw recycling of riverhead second moved in second may we have a vote please mr zornicki yes mr nineron mr bear yes i vote yes the motion carries okay i'll move resolution number 21 which grants administrative approval for lucero's restaurant second okay moved and seconded may we have a vote please mr zelnicki yes mr ninero hi mr bear yes i vote aye the motion carries um and i'd just like to wish them this is uh lucharitos wish them a lot of luck because uh they do a lot of wonderful things where they go and hope the town supports them in every way they can resolution 20 44 022 you resolution 23 northville acres minor subdivision secret resolution to assume lead agency second moving in second may we have a vote please mrs zelnicki yes mr ninero mr bear yes i vote aye the motion carries i'll move resolution 23 northville acres minus subdivision schedule a public hearing second second move in second vote please mr zernicki yes mr ninero mr bear yes i have a vote aye the motion carries resolution 20 24 024 1309 ocr automotive dealership resolution granting preliminary site plan approval second moving in second may we have a vote please mr zelnicki aye mr ninero hi mr bear yes i vote yes the motion carries i'll move resolution number 24 grants grants preliminary approval for this site plan of ocr was that the one we just did right i'm sorry number seven

i'm sorry yes i'll move resolution number 25. and that's and that schedules a type that is type two uh in a public hearing for uh the tetra winery second moved and seconded now we have a vote please mrs zelnicki yes mr ninero mr bear yes mr ninero mr bear yes i vote aye the motion carries motion carries um thank you everybody at this time we invite public comments on all matters

wow no takers i'll move the meetings of february 1st second moved and seconded all in favor aye aye any other business staff we have february 15th we have 15th february 15th we have february 15th we did the first oh okay okay um and i'll i'll move i'll move the minutes of february 15th you don't have them on the agenda it's on the agenda meeting of minutes of the board february 1 2025 and february 15th okay not on mine but it's fine not on mine either no okay i'll second okay moved in second all in favor aye aye vote aye the motion carries any business that we should know about correspondence our next meeting date is thursday march 21st at 3 p.m hope you can all be there thank you everybody motion to close so moved all in favor aye aye thank you everybody good job staff as usual thank you everybody good job staff as usual

thank you thank you thank you