October 16, 2025 — Planning Board

Planning Board Meeting

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Timestamped Transcript

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0:00Thank you.

0:30Thank you.

1:00Say the pledge with us, please.

1:04I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

1:08and to the republic for which it stands,

1:11one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:22Okay, so today we have no public hearings,

1:25and we have discussion items first up and only up.

1:30Is Timothy Hill Children's with Greg Bergen?

1:32All right, thank you.

1:33We do have a representative here from the application.

1:35I'll just invite him up to the table.

1:37If the board has any questions that I can't answer,

1:40we'll ask him to fill you in.

1:43And if you could just state your name for the record, please.

1:44Craig Dunn.

1:46Thank you.

1:47So we've got before us a site plan application

1:50submitted by Timothy Hill Children's Ranch,

1:52which is seeking approval to construct a new approximately 6,500-square-foot horse barn

1:58in place of a barn.

2:00Prior 4,200-square-foot horse barn, which was recently demolished.

2:04In connection with the application,

2:05they're going to install a new IA wastewater treatment system

2:08to serve the new horse barn and electrical transformer.

2:11The action is an unlisted action pursuant to SIGRA.

2:14I have prepared parts two and three of the short EAF

2:17and recommend a negative declaration

2:19as there's no significant negative environmental impact.

2:22Just for the board's reference,

2:24the property is located at 298 Middle Road Riverhead

2:28on the north side of Middle Road.

2:30The property is about 66.1 acres.

2:33It's located approximately 1,000 feet west of the intersection

2:36of Middle Road and Northville Turnpike.

2:39The facility is currently improved with a number of structures,

2:42including an administration building, several residences,

2:45detached structures, sheds, pavilions,

2:47and as I stated previously, a horse barn, which was recently demolished.

2:53Pretty straightforward.

2:54They are going to tap off an existing water service.

2:59Water service.

3:00Water service.

3:01Water service.

3:02Water service.

3:03Water service.

3:04Water service.

3:04tap off an existing water line in that building to serve the new horse barn.

3:09I did refer the application to the Riverhead Water District.

3:12They said they're served with a 4-inch RPZ that has recently been tested,

3:16so there's no additional requirements from the Riverhead Water District

3:19other than key money prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the barn.

3:25The town board will be taking an action on this application

3:28because the Timothy Hill Children's Ranch was established by a special permit of the town board in 1977.

3:35The town board has before them a resolution in their meeting coming up on Tuesday

3:39stating that amendment to the special permit is not needed,

3:43which will authorize the board to approve this application.

3:47I do have that as a condition in there in the resolution prior to the signature of the plans.

3:52The town board authorizes that resolution.

3:56We got comments from the town engineer to just provide stormwater management for the proposed barn.

4:03Does that have to be?

4:04Add it to the plan?

4:06Yeah, I mean, and that could be something just as simple as a couple of dry wells showing the capacity.

4:10I believe the town engineer said a 2-inch rain event.

4:15Application is not required to be referred to the Suffolk County Planning Commission

4:19as it proposes less than 10,000 square feet of ground disturbance.

4:23They will require health department approval.

4:25It's my understanding that they've made the application.

4:27Health department is currently waiting the secret determination from the planning board,

4:31so that will be accomplished by the resolution.

4:34My only recommendation, the only thing that I would like to just see coming out of here,

4:39the westernmost driveway for the administration building,

4:44when you come out to this driveway,

4:46the visibility looking to the east, there's a large row of evergreen trees.

4:50I would just ask that those trees from the ground to maybe like six feet up

4:54be kind of trimmed back and cleared just to provide good visibility heading east on that intersection.

5:00Yes, sir, that's in there.

5:02And again, when I was coming out, you almost have to be in the road.

5:04There's a lot of roadway to sort of look east, so I'm sure that could be easily accomplished.

5:09Figure five.

5:11Yes.

5:13Is that a water tower of some sort?

5:16A feed tower.

5:18Feed in the corner.

5:19So that's a feed tower.

5:21Oh, okay.

5:22We keep feed for the horses in there.

5:25Yeah.

5:28That's pretty much all I got.

5:29Very straightforward application.

5:31Not really much to it.

5:32A couple of conditions in the resolution.

5:34Like I said, payment of the remainder of the site plan fee,

5:40the town board resolution authorizing the planning board to take the action,

5:46stormwater management comments, health department, and removal of the evergreens.

5:52Craig, the only question I met with Craig there today,

5:55the demolition permit they had to get to take the building down, right?

6:00Yes.

6:00That includes it has to be finished before any new building.

6:04All the concrete, everything has to be taken up before a building permit can be granted.

6:09I mean, it would make sense.

6:11Yeah.

6:11I mean, if they're going to grade the site out, build a new foundation, yeah, it would make sense.

6:15All of that would have to be removed.

6:16Yeah, no, it's all coming out.

6:18We're just waiting for Terry Construction to come in with some machinery.

6:22That's it.

6:25Very straightforward.

6:26Yep.

6:26Anybody else?

6:27No.

6:28That's good.

6:28Thanks.

6:29All right.

6:30Thank you very much.

6:31Thank you, Craig.

6:32Thanks, Craig.

6:33Thank you, Craig.

6:33Thank you.

6:34Thank you.

6:34Nice meeting you guys tonight.

6:37Okay.

6:37Thank you.

6:38Thank you.

6:38Appreciate it.

6:39Take care.

6:41No public comments on resolutions?

6:43Yes.

6:43There is.

6:45Page four.

6:48Of the Timothy Hill Children's Ranch resolution?

6:50No, no, no.

6:51Of the 101.

6:52Okay.

6:56The first whereas there.

6:59I think.

7:01Uh-huh.

7:03Is it?

7:04Isn't that the one?

7:04It's supposed to be the present date?

7:07Uh, yes.

7:08I believe you're correct.

7:09November 17, 2025.

7:13Yes.

7:13Yeah.

7:14November 17, 2025.

7:16Yeah.

7:16That's all.

7:19And I was just wondering on this.

7:22What's happening?

7:22In three years, nothing's been done.

7:25So, this was originally the Sonic was going to be going in there.

7:29I know that Sonic has since dropped out.

7:31So, I think they've been marketing it to different.

7:33Uh.

7:34Different tenants.

7:35Okay.

7:35And I guess they just haven't found a suitable tenant for it yet.

7:39I've gotten a couple of calls over the years of people interested in it.

7:42Sort of picking up the plan from where we left off.

7:45Chances are it may expire after a year.

7:48Yeah.

7:48If it expires, they'll come back.

7:50You know what I mean?

7:50Again, we've done the bulk of the, you know, the secret was done.

7:53You know, we've done a bulk of the work, sewer, water, all that stuff.

7:57So, it wouldn't be a heavy lift if someone came in and, you know, if it did expire, if it needed to be reactivated, that wouldn't be a big lift.

8:04Yeah.

8:05But I guess Chick-fil-A is going to give them a lot of competition.

8:11Yeah.

8:12Right down the road.

8:13Pretty much every fast food restaurant you can think of, we got on 58, so.

8:17Yeah.

8:17Okay.

8:18Okay.

8:18That's it, John?

8:19So, yeah.

8:20All right.

8:20I'll move resolution 2025-100 for Timothy Hill Children's Ranch Barn as amended, granting administrative site approval for the site plan.

8:32So moved.

8:33So moved.

8:34So moved.

8:34Second.

8:35Moved and seconded.

8:37Mr. Baer.

8:38Yes.

8:39Mr. Denaro.

8:40Aye.

8:41Mr. Zelenicke.

8:42Yes.

8:42And I'm yes.

8:44Resolution adopted.

8:46I moved resolution 25.025 resi number 101.

8:51Grant for one year extension for a final site plan on the insurance development company.

8:56Second.

8:57Second moved.

8:59Mr. Baer.

9:00Yes.

9:00Mr. Denaro.

9:00Aye.

9:01Mr. Zelenicke.

9:02Yes.

9:03And I'm yes.

9:03yes resolution adopted okay next

9:14okay public comments all matters nothing okay eat the uh move the minutes of september 18 2025 so

9:24move second all in favor all right okay greg any secret actions other business or correspondence

9:36okay then and the next meeting will be thursday november 6 2025. motion to close

9:46okay all right

9:54you

Full Transcript

Thank you. Thank you. Say the pledge with us, please.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Okay, so today we have no public hearings, and we have discussion items first up and only up. Is Timothy Hill Children's with Greg Bergen? All right, thank you. We do have a representative here from the application. I'll just invite him up to the table. If the board has any questions that I can't answer, we'll ask him to fill you in. And if you could just state your name for the record, please. Craig Dunn. Thank you. So we've got before us a site plan application submitted by Timothy Hill Children's Ranch, which is seeking approval to construct a new approximately 6,500-square-foot horse barn in place of a barn. Prior 4,200-square-foot horse barn, which was recently demolished. In connection with the application, they're going to install a new IA wastewater treatment system to serve the new horse barn and electrical transformer. The action is an unlisted action pursuant to SIGRA. I have prepared parts two and three of the short EAF and recommend a negative declaration as there's no significant negative environmental impact. Just for the board's reference, the property is located at 298 Middle Road Riverhead on the north side of Middle Road. The property is about 66.1 acres. It's located approximately 1,000 feet west of the intersection of Middle Road and Northville Turnpike. The facility is currently improved with a number of structures, including an administration building, several residences, detached structures, sheds, pavilions, and as I stated previously, a horse barn, which was recently demolished. Pretty straightforward. They are going to tap off an existing water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. Water service. tap off an existing water line in that building to serve the new horse barn. I did refer the application to the Riverhead Water District. They said they're served with a 4-inch RPZ that has recently been tested, so there's no additional requirements from the Riverhead Water District other than key money prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the barn. The town board will be taking an action on this application because the Timothy Hill Children's Ranch was established by a special permit of the town board in 1977. The town board has before them a resolution in their meeting coming up on Tuesday stating that amendment to the special permit is not needed, which will authorize the board to approve this application. I do have that as a condition in there in the resolution prior to the signature of the plans. The town board authorizes that resolution. We got comments from the town engineer to just provide stormwater management for the proposed barn. Does that have to be? Add it to the plan? Yeah, I mean, and that could be something just as simple as a couple of dry wells showing the capacity. I believe the town engineer said a 2-inch rain event. Application is not required to be referred to the Suffolk County Planning Commission as it proposes less than 10,000 square feet of ground disturbance. They will require health department approval. It's my understanding that they've made the application. Health department is currently waiting the secret determination from the planning board, so that will be accomplished by the resolution. My only recommendation, the only thing that I would like to just see coming out of here, the westernmost driveway for the administration building, when you come out to this driveway, the visibility looking to the east, there's a large row of evergreen trees. I would just ask that those trees from the ground to maybe like six feet up be kind of trimmed back and cleared just to provide good visibility heading east on that intersection. Yes, sir, that's in there. And again, when I was coming out, you almost have to be in the road. There's a lot of roadway to sort of look east, so I'm sure that could be easily accomplished. Figure five. Yes. Is that a water tower of some sort? A feed tower. Feed in the corner. So that's a feed tower. Oh, okay. We keep feed for the horses in there. Yeah. That's pretty much all I got. Very straightforward application. Not really much to it. A couple of conditions in the resolution. Like I said, payment of the remainder of the site plan fee, the town board resolution authorizing the planning board to take the action, stormwater management comments, health department, and removal of the evergreens. Craig, the only question I met with Craig there today, the demolition permit they had to get to take the building down, right? Yes. That includes it has to be finished before any new building. All the concrete, everything has to be taken up before a building permit can be granted. I mean, it would make sense. Yeah. I mean, if they're going to grade the site out, build a new foundation, yeah, it would make sense. All of that would have to be removed. Yeah, no, it's all coming out. We're just waiting for Terry Construction to come in with some machinery. That's it. Very straightforward. Yep. Anybody else? No. That's good. Thanks. All right. Thank you very much. Thank you, Craig. Thanks, Craig. Thank you, Craig. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Nice meeting you guys tonight. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. Take care. No public comments on resolutions? Yes. There is. Page four. Of the Timothy Hill Children's Ranch resolution? No, no, no. Of the 101. Okay.

The first whereas there. I think. Uh-huh. Is it? Isn't that the one? It's supposed to be the present date? Uh, yes. I believe you're correct. November 17, 2025. Yes. Yeah. November 17, 2025. Yeah. That's all. And I was just wondering on this. What's happening? In three years, nothing's been done. So, this was originally the Sonic was going to be going in there. I know that Sonic has since dropped out. So, I think they've been marketing it to different. Uh. Different tenants. Okay. And I guess they just haven't found a suitable tenant for it yet. I've gotten a couple of calls over the years of people interested in it. Sort of picking up the plan from where we left off. Chances are it may expire after a year. Yeah. If it expires, they'll come back. You know what I mean? Again, we've done the bulk of the, you know, the secret was done. You know, we've done a bulk of the work, sewer, water, all that stuff. So, it wouldn't be a heavy lift if someone came in and, you know, if it did expire, if it needed to be reactivated, that wouldn't be a big lift. Yeah. Yeah. But I guess Chick-fil-A is going to give them a lot of competition. Yeah. Yeah. Right down the road. Pretty much every fast food restaurant you can think of, we got on 58, so. Yeah. Okay. Okay. That's it, John? So, yeah. All right. I'll move resolution 2025-100 for Timothy Hill Children's Ranch Barn as amended, granting administrative site approval for the site plan. So moved. So moved. So moved. So moved. So moved. Second. Moved and seconded. Mr. Baer. Yes. Mr. Denaro. Aye. Mr. Zelenicke. Yes. And I'm yes. Resolution adopted. I moved resolution 25.025 resi number 101. Grant for one year extension for a final site plan on the insurance development company. Second. Second moved. Mr. Baer. Yes. Mr. Denaro. Aye. Mr. Zelenicke. Yes. And I'm yes. yes resolution adopted okay next

okay public comments all matters nothing okay eat the uh move the minutes of september 18 2025 so move second all in favor all right okay greg any secret actions other business or correspondence okay then and the next meeting will be thursday november 6 2025. motion to close

okay all right

you