Just days after the Riverhead Town Board cancelled a public hearing Tuesday on a proposal allowing agritourism resorts on Sound Avenue and instead decided to hold a public forum on the topic in September, the board has now scheduled a special meeting on Wednesday to adopt the town’s Comprehensive Plan Update, which includes a recommendation that the town adopt zoning to allow for such resorts.
The Comprehensive Plan Update, in the works for more than four years, will replace the town’s current 2003 Comprehensive Plan.
A draft of the Comprehensive Plan Update released before a public hearing in May of this year included a host of recommendations ranging from changes to industrial zoning districts in Calverton, to an expanded transfer of development rights program to allow more development downtown, lifting the cap of 500 apartments that can be built downtown, loosening regulations governing accessory apartments, allowing for short-term rentals, vertical farming and allowing private schools on industrially zoned land.
The town removed the private school proposal after the public hearing, at which dozens of people spoke against it, rallied by the Riverhead Central Faculty Association and concerned about the proposed expansion of the Riverhead Charter School.
Civic Associations throughout Riverhead have been actively urging residents to contact town leaders over the past two weeks.
The Greater Jamesport Civic Association had organized a petition, letter and phone call campaign against the agritourism resort hearing last week, leading to the cancellation of the hearing, and this week the Heart of Riverhead Civic Association is urging more civic action.
In an email with the subject line “Urgent,” the Heart of Riverhead Civic Association urged residents to again call or email the town board in opposition to the special meeting.
“Last week, the Riverhead Town Board cancelled the Agri-tourism public hearing scheduled for this week’s Board meeting (8/20) in response to the significant public opposition,” Heart of Riverhead Civic leaders wrote in an email and Facebook post. “Now it appears they have decided to side-step objections from our residents and farming community and have quietly scheduled a “special meeting” to vote to approve the Comprehensive Plan, which includes adding Agri-tourism development.”
“The vote will be held this Wednesday evening, with no advance notification to the public, and without having made available the final version of the Comprehensive Plan that would highlight the multiple corrections and changes brought forward by the community,” they added.
According to the July 10 draft of the comprehensive plan (page 207), “Agritourism resort uses could be supported in appropriate locations, subject to design, development, and environmental standards, as a way to balance support for agritourism, conservation, and the active preservation of agricultural lands.”
The section adds that agritourism resorts typically offer “accommodations, recreational activities, and educational opportunities centered around agricultural experiences. Additionally, it may offer amenities such as farm-totable dining, nature trails, agricultural workshops, and accommodations ranging from rustic cabins to upscale lodges, catering to a wide range of preferences and interests.”
The most recent proposed changes to the plan can be found on pages 13 through 27 of the Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the project, accepted by the Town Board on Aug. 6, which is found by scrolling to the bottom of the “Documents” page of the town’s Comprehensive Plan Update website.
Changes include removing numerous references to “considering short term rentals in some areas,” ‘reviewing’ instead of lifting the 500 unit apartment cap downtown, changes to the language regarding vertical farms and ensuring that renewable energy regulations mirror NYSERDA’s guidelines for facilities like solar farms. While private schools have been removed as a proposed use in industrial areas, assisted living facilities have been added as a potential use allowed by special permit.
The Comprehensive Plan Update is designed to serve as a guiding document to bolster the town’s case for future zoning changes, which would require the introduction of new local laws and more public hearings.
Here’s the notice and Zoom login information for the special meeting, will be held in the Town Hall meeting room at 4 West Second Street at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21.
