HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB-03/09/2020 OFFICE LOCATION: MAILING ADDRESS:
Town Hall Annex P.O. Box 1179
54375 State Route 25 ®��®� ®��iy®� Southold, NY 11971
(cor. Main
R Youngs Ave.)
Southold, NY ® Telephone: 631 765-1938
www.southoldtownny.gov
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PLANNING BOARD OFFICE
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
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PUBLIC MEETING
MINUTES
March 9, 2020
6:00 p.m.
Present were: Donald J. Wilcenski, Chairman
James H. Rich III, Vice-Chairman
Martin Sidor, Member
Pierce Rafferty, Member
Heather Lanza, Planning Director
Brian Cummings, Planner
Erica Bufkins, Planner
John Burke, Assistant Town Attorney
Jessica Michaelis, Office Assistant
SETTING OF THE NEXT PLAN NINGAB®ARD MEETING
Chairman Wilcenski: Good afternoon and welcome to the March 9, 2020 Planning
Board meeting. The first order of business is for the Board to set Monday, April 6, 2020
at 6:00 p.m. at the Southold Town Hall, Main Road, Southold, as the time and place for
the next regular Planning Board Meeting.
James H. Rich III: So moved.
Martin Sidor: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by James, seconded by Martin. Any discussion? All
in favor?
Southold Town Planning Board Page 12 March 9, 2020
Ayes.
Opposed?
None.
Motion carries.
SUBDIVISION APPLICATIONS. _.
CONDITIONAL PRELIMINARY PLAT DETERMINATION:
Chairman Wilcenski: Mazzoni Subdivision —This proposal is for a Standard
Subdivision of a 22.94 acre parcel into 5 lots where Lot 1 = 2.17 acres, Lot 2 = 1.78
acres, Lot 3 = 2.14 acres, Lot 4 = 0.73 acres, Lot 5 = 16.15 acres inclusive of a 1.14
acre right-of-way, 8.58 acres of Open Space and 6 acres of a Conservation Easement
held by the Peconic Land Trust (PLT) located in the R-80 Zoning District. The property
is located at 500 Soundview Drive, approximately 782' to the north of NYS Route 25
and 256' to the east of Sound View Drive, Orient. SCTM1000-13-2-8.2
Pierce Rafferty: Mr. Chairman, I offer the following:
WHEREAS, This proposal is for a Standard Subdivision of a 22.94 acre parcel into 5
lots where Lot 1 = 2.27 acres, Lot 2 = 1.67 acres, Lot 3 = 2.13 acres, Lot 4 = 0.59 acres,
Lot 5 = 16.28 acres inclusive of a 1.21 acre right-of-way, 8.58 acres of Open Space and
6 acres of a Conservation Easement held by the Peconic Land Trust (PLT) located in
the R-80 Zoning District; and
WHEREAS, on July 6, 2015 the Southold Town Planning Board granted Conditional
Sketch Plan Approval upon the map entitled "Henry Mazzoni Subdivision Standard
Cluster", dated October 27, 2013 and last revised June 9, 2015, prepared by Howard
Young, Licensed Land Surveyor; and
WHEREAS, on July 9, 2018, the public hearing on the Preliminary Plat was held, and
WHEREAS, the Public Hearing record was left open for written comment, until August
6, 2018; and
WHEREAS, due to the time needed to address public concerns and design of the
subdivision, the Planning Board extended the timeframe to render a decision on the
Preliminary Plat to July 6, 2020; and
WHEREAS, suitable land does not exist within the proposed subdivision to
accommodate a public park or playground due to the location and use of the parcel; and
Southold Town Planning Board Page 13 March 9, 2020
WHEREAS, the Southold Town Code establishes a fee to be paid in lieu of providing a
park within the subdivision; the required fee is $7,000.00 per newly created lot, and this
subdivision will create 4 new lots; and
WHEREAS, on January 14, 2019, at their Work Session, the Planning Board found that
the application fulfilled all requirements of§240-Article V Preliminary Plat Review; and
WHEREAS, the Southold Town Planning Board performed a coordinated review of this
Unlisted Action pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617, Section 617.7 of the State
Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA); and
WHEREAS, on February 10, 2020 the Southold Town Planning Board, pursuant to
State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) 6 NYCRR, Part 617, granted a
Conditioned Negative Declaration with the following conditions:
1. The installation of a Suffolk County Department of Health Services approved
I/A OWTS's is required on lots 1 through 5 (if lot 5 is improved with a
residential structure in the future);
2. Water supply wells with a maximum 10 gpm flow rates shall be installed on
each residential lot to meet the new water demand to minimize upconing and
saltwater intrusion;
3. Water supply wells shall be spaced evenly and as far from the edge of the
shore as possible to minimize saltwater intrusion. Other existing private water
wells in the vicinity of the site must also be accounted for in the design
process.
4. A 50 foot-wide vegetated non-disturbance buffer then an additional 50 foot-
wide vegetated buffer shall extend landward from the top-of-bluff line on Lots
1, 2, and 3,
5. Building envelopes on Lots 1, 2, and 3 shall avoid slopes equal to or greater
than 15 percent to the greatest extent practicable and avoid slopes 20
percent and greater;
6. The grading or development of slopes equal to or greater than 20 percent is
prohibited unless conservation measures are applied (Chapter 236
Stormwater Management), and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board hereby waives § 240-46 Lighting requirements, and
WHEREAS, on February 10, 2020 the Southold Town Planning Board determined that
this proposed action is Consistent with the policies of the Town of Southold Local
Waterfront Revitalization Program; and
Southold Town Planning Board Page 14 March 9, 2020
WHEREAS, pursuant to §240-38 Waiver, the Southold Town Planning Board may waive
the provision of any or all required improvements which in its judgment and considering
the special circumstances of a particular plat or plats, are not required in the interests of
the public health, safety and general welfare, except where such authority would be
contrary to other ordinances or state law; and
WHEREAS, the Southold Town Planning Board has determined that the following
provisions of the Southold Town Code §240 Subdivision of Land are not requisite in the
interest of the public health, safety and welfare because the particular improvement is
not necessary and would conflict with the Town goals to preserve the night sky of Orient
and current agricultural use and operations on Lot 5 and therefore are eligible for a
waiver:
• § 240-46. Lighting.
• § 240-49 1 (4) Street Trees on Lot 5, and
WHEREAS, this subdivision is designed as a clustered subdivision pursuant to Article
XI Cluster Development of the Southold Town Code; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board, pursuant to §240-38 Waiver,
hereby waives the following provisions (in part) of the subdivision, subject to approval
by the Superintendent of Highways and the Town Engineer:
• § 240-46. Lighting.
• § 240-49 1 (4) Street Trees on Lot 5.
James H. Rich III: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Pierce, seconded by James. Any discussion? All
in favor?
Ayes.'
Opposed?
None.
Motion carries.
Pierce Rafferty: And be it further
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board, as described above, hereby finds
that the proposed subdivision plat presents a proper case for requiring a park suitably
located for recreational purposes, but that a suitable park cannot be properly located on
such subdivision plat, and that the Planning Board will require $28,000.00 in lieu
thereof, pursuant to 240-53 G of the Southold Town Code.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 15 March 9, 2020
James H. Rich III: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Pierce, seconded by James. Any discussion? All
in favor?
Ayes.
Opposed?
None.
Motion carries.
Pierce Rafferty: And be it further
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board hereby grants Conditional
Preliminary Plat Approval upon the map entitled "Subdivision Henry Mazzoni at Orient",
dated September 25, 2019, and the "Preliminary Road and Drainage Plan" dated
September 25, 2019 prepared by Howard Young, Licensed Land Surveyor subject to
the following conditions:
1. Approval by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS)
will be required prior to Final Plat Approval, and must include approval of
the use of innovative/alternative wastewater treatment systems
(I/AOWTS) for Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4, and 5 as permitted under SCDHS'
Article 19.
2. Amend the Preliminary Plat as follows:
a. Re-title final plat "Final Plat of Clustered Subdivision of Henry
Mazzoni";
b. Clearly label the non-disturbance and vegetated buffers on Lots 1,
2, and 3. 'Non-Disturbance Buffer' and a 'Vegetated Non-turf
Buffer';
c. Provide the notation "Structures requiring wastewater/septic
systems on Lots 1 through 5 must use an onsite wastewater
treatment system that, at a minimum, is designed to reduce total
nitrogen in treated effluent to 19 mg/L, and further regulated by
Article 19 of the Suffolk County Sanitary Code. Traditional septic
systems are not permitted";
d Require that the lot lines be straightened to be perpendicular to the
street on Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4. Lot corners should be designed as
right angles;
e. Remove the access stairs shown in the 10' wide common shoreline
access on Lot 2,
Southold Town Planning Board Page 16 March 9, 2020
f. Darken the lines of each buffer to improve legibility;
g. Rectify the square footage of the LSO CEHL in Table of Areas and
Seaward of CEHA in Certain Areas. The Table of Areas shows
109,845 sq. ft. and the Certain Area table shows 110,181 sq. ft.; a
difference of 336 sq. ft.;
h. Clarify if the boundary and area of the Heath Drive right of way is
excluded from the Lot 5 open space areas. The answer could affect
the design of the subdivision if the clarification shows that some
area of the Heath Drive right of way was included in the open space
area calculation;
i. Include the following language as a note: "A Final Road and
Drainage Plan with additional technical information and road and
drainage construction specifications for this subdivision is on file
with the Southold Town Planning Department";
j. Verify map legibility with Office of the Suffolk County Clerk.
3. Submit a written request to apply the vegetation within the non-
disturbance buffer as meeting the clearing limits requirements on Lots 1, 2
and 3.
4. Submit six copies of an amended Road & Drainage Plan that reflect the
current design and satisfy the requirements mandated through §240-21
Technical requirements including:
a. Title the plan `Final Road and Drainage Plan for the Final Plat of
Clustered Subdivision of Henry Mazzoni';
b. Verify the correct location of the fire well (Note the Orient Fire
District required the fire well on the west side of Heath Drive and it
is shown on the east side of Heath Drive);
c. The road design and specifications and drainage shown on the final
plans must meet the approval of the Southold Town Fire Marshall
and Southold Town Engineer;
d. Verify map legibility with Office of the Suffolk County Clerk.
5. Submit two copies of cost estimate of public improvements required under
Articles IX, Bonds and Other Security and X, Required Public
Improvements; Inspections, Fees for drainage and street trees.
6. Attain coverage from New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (NYSDEC) under the Phase II State Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (SPDES) Program. Submit the NYSDEC SWPPP and
NOI submission directly to the Department of Environmental Conservation
for their review and approval. A copy of the SWPPP must also be
submitted to the Town Engineering Department prior to any
commencement of construction and/or the beginning of work.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 17 March 9, 2020
7. Provide a response to draft Covenants and Restrictions and an Open
Space Conservation Easement. A draft will be provided by the Planning
Department to you for both documents. These documents will include
additional specific restrictions for this subdivision.
8. A Park & Playground fee of$28,000 pursuant to §240-53 G of the
Southold Town Code, will be required to be submitted prior to Final Plat
approval.
9. An Administration Fee in the amount of$10,000 or 6% of the performance
bond estimate, whichever is greater, pursuant to Southold Town Code
§240-37 Administration fee will be required to be submitted prior to Final
Plat Approval.
10.Submission of a Final Plat Application meeting all the requirements of
Section 240-20 of the Southold Town Code.
James H. Rich III: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Pierce, seconded by James. Any discussion? All
in favor?
Ayes.
Opposed?
None.
Motion carries.
` SITE PLAN APPLICATIONS
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT DETERMINATION:
Chairman Wilcenski: Oregon Storage Warehouses —This site plan is for the
proposed construction of a ±69,360 sq. ft. self-storage facility, and includes the
construction of six (6) storage buildings: three 12,000 sq. ft. 1-story buildings, two
11,880 sq. ft. 1-story buildings, and one 9,600 sq. ft. 1-story building. Also included is
the conversion of an existing 797 sq. ft. garage to an office, an existing dwelling to
remain, and 20 proposed parking stalls all on 5.7 acres in the Light Industrial Zoning
District. The property is located at 11900 Oregon Road, Cutchogue. SCTM#1000-83-3-
5.3
James H. Rich III: Mr. Chairman, I offer the following:
Southold Town Planning Board Page 18 March 9, 2020
WHEREAS, this site plan is for the proposed construction of a ±69,360 sq. ft. self-
storage facility, and includes the construction of six (6) storage buildings: three 12,000
sq. ft. 1-story buildings, two 11,880 sq. ft. 1-story buildings, and one 9,600 sq. ft. 1-story
building. Also included is the conversion of an existing 797 sq. ft. garage to an office, an
existing dwelling to remain, and 20 proposed parking stalls all on 5.7 acres in the Light
Industrial Zoning District; and
WHEREAS, the Southold Town Planning Board, pursuant to State Environmental
Quality Review Act (SEQRA) 6 NYCRR, Part 617, has determined that the proposed
action is an Unlisted Action as it does not meet any of the thresholds of a Type I Action,
nor does it meet any of the criteria on the Type II list of actions; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board performed a coordinated review of this Unlisted Action
pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617, Section 617.7 of the State Environmental Quality
Review Act (SEQRA); be it therefore
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board hereby declares Lead Agency
status for the SEQRA review of this Unlisted Action.
Martin Sidor: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by James, seconded by Martin. Any discussion? All
in favor?
Ayes.
Opposed?
None.
Motion carries.
James H. Rich III: And be it further
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board, as Lead Agency pursuant to
SEQRA, hereby makes a determination of non-significance for the proposed action and
grants a Negative Declaration.
Martin Sidor: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by James, seconded by Martin. Any discussion? All
in favor?
Ayes.
Opposed?
Southold Town Planning Board Page 19 March 9, 2020
None.
Motion carries.
AMENDED DETERMINATION:
Chairman Wilcenski: Vineyard View— This Residential Site Plan is for 50 multiple
dwelling units in seven buildings. All units are proposed to be offered for rent at rates
set by the federal government for affordability for the next 50 years. The plan includes
14 one-bedroom units, 22 two-bedroom units and 14 three-bedroom units, a 2,649 sq.
ft. community center, 104 parking spaces; and various other associated site
improvements, on a vacant 17.19-acre parcel of which 10 acres will be preserved as
open space (6.3 acres upland and 3.7 acres wetlands), in the Hamlet Density (HD)
Zoning District located on the s/s of County Road 48 ±1,600' n/e/o Chapel Lane,
Greenport. SCTM#1000-40-3-1
Martin Sidor: Mr. Chairman, I offer the following:
WHEREAS, the applicant has requested an amendment to this site plan regarding the
landscape and irrigation plans, approved by the Planning Board on January 17, 2019;
and
WHEREAS, the applicant requests to relocate twenty-eight (28) approved shade trees
outside of the National Grid Easement due to the potential for deep root systems to
interfere with utilities and add supplemental plantings, with shallow root systems, within
the landscape islands where shade trees were required; and
WHEREAS, the applicant requests to change the water source for the irrigation plan
from an on-site well to the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) system due to a well
not being possible at this site due to a thick clay layer, and to change to layout of the
irrigation system; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board's conditions of approval for this application will need to
be amended to reflect the change in the water source for irrigation from wells to the
SCWA; and
WHEREAS, at the work session on February 24, 2020, the Planning Board reviewed
the requests and found that the amended landscape plan and amended irrigation plan
were permissible; be it therefore
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board approves the amended landscape
plan as shown on the plan entitled "Landscape Plan" prepared by Raymond G. Dibiase
dated July 18, 2018 and last revised March 6, 2020.
Pierce Rafferty: Second.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 110 March 9, 2020
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Martin, seconded by Pierce. Any discussion? All
in favor?
Ayes.
Opposed?
None.
Motion carries.
Martin Sidor: And be it further
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board approves the amended irrigation
plan as shown on the plan entitled "Irrigation Plan", prepared by David Smith Irrigation
dated December 13, 2019 and last revised February 10, 2020.
Pierce Rafferty: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Martin, seconded by Pierce. Any discussion? All
in favor?
Ayes.
Opposed?
None.
Motion carries.
Martin Sidor: And be it further
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board amends the conditions of approval
as written in their January 14, 2019 resolution as follow:
• Condition 13. a. is removed
• Condition 13. c. is amended to change the word "well(s)" to "irrigation water line"
• Condition 13. d. is removed
Pierce Rafferty: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Martin, seconded by Pierce. Any discussion? All
in favor?
Ayes.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 111 March 9, 2020
Opposed?
None.
Motion carries.
J-, "-`PUWC HEARINGS
Chairman Wilcenski: 6:01 p.m. - Eastern Long Island Kampground Amended —
This amended site plan is to replace 33 existing tent sites with the proposed
construction of 20 seasonal cabins at 450 sq. ft. each and a 600 sq. ft. pavilion as part
of an existing campground on 23.32 acres in the RR Zoning District, Greenport. The
property is located at 64500 CR 48, Greenport. SCTM#1 000-40-3-5
Chairman Wilcenski: At this time I would like to ask the applicant or the applicant's
agent to address the Board. Please step to the podium, state your name and write your
name for the record and address your comments to the board.
Sean Magnuson: Hi, I'm Sean Magnuson, I'm one of the new owners of the Eastern
Long Island Kampground, this is the other owner (pointing to Chris Winter), Chris
Winter. We recently purchased the property after having been there and running it for
the past two seasons for Myron and Don Goldstein. We are excited to have it and we
are looking forward to keeping it as a campground. One of the things that we quickly
realized we would need to do to keep it a campground was to find other revenue
streams that would fit in with the community and fit in with the spirit of the campground
which led us to renovating the tent sites and turning them into the cabin sites. It's very
low impact for the existing campground as well as the community; we're actually doing a
site reduction — so 33 tent sites into 20 cabin sites. We've also addressed other
concerns with —there may be a few extra people there on the weekends. We recently
purchased a shuttle bus, we will be doing shuttles back and forth to Greenport for free in
the evenings, just to keep the roads safe and also just to take some of the load off the
Greenport parking issue on the weekends. We're also — as I mentioned —with the
additional revenue string, we're also very sensitive with the wooded area there, I know
there was a comment made before about taking down trees, we don't want to take down
any more trees than is necessary. The canopy actually works to our benefit and reduces
the AC level that we'll have with the cabins. So the environmental impact is very low, it's
pretty much the existing camp sites that are in the (inaudible)
Chairman Wilcenski: Great, thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board
on Eastern Long Island Kampground?
Eileen Wingate: Hi, I'm Eileen Wingate with Quiet Man Studio, we produced the set of
drawings that you're looking at. A few things I'd like to bring to your attention is that, in
your Public Hearing Notice, it says 450 square feet per cabins, we resubmitted our
application at 504 square feet because after taking a serious look at the size of the
Southold Town Planning Board Page 112 March 9, 2020
cabins, it was determined that if people are coming to put their feet up for the weekend,
they need just a little bit more room than the 450 square feet. So right now the cabins
are at 28 by 18, we have a variety of different types of cabins, we have some that are
one bedroom, some that are two bedrooms and we have some that are handicap
accessible. Just to bring you up to speed, we have been with the DEC and they've
given us a letter of non-jurisdiction because Moore's Drain is about 160 feet behind it,
the woods are absolutely pristine and the 33 camp sites will convert into cabin sites
really well because they're worn, they already have fire pits and —we're just going to try
to locate the cabins as per code —every site is 50 by 100. So we've been through DEC
and we're already submitted to the Health Department, we've got a letter in place that
the Village of Greenport will allow us to tap in, not only to their sewer system but they're
also going to carry the load for any electricity that we have. We are intending to
condition the cabins in moderation; we are limited by the code to seasonal use, so we
will be using them March 1St to November 30th. So we would like to offer some air
conditioning for the summers and we would like to put in the split units so that—towards
the end of the season — if heat is necessary but there really is limited, limited HVAC that
we'll be putting in. Let's see: we've been through DEC, we've been through Health
Department and Zoning Board is next, actually it's a special exception, we have all of
our p'ieces in place except for the 504 square feet—they will be reviewing that. The
code limits us to 450 but we feel that the extra 50 feet shouldn't be that difficult to ask
for. Okay, thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Great, thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board
on Eastern Long Island Kampground Amended? Do any of the Board members or staff
have any questions for the applicant?
Pierce Rafferty: Where was the extra space allocated within the design?
Chairman Wilcenski: Sorry, would you please step to the podium? This meeting is
recorded.
Sean Magnuson: Sean Magnuson, in reference to your question, it would be an
additional 3 feet on the length to the cabin, from 25 feet to 28 feet. This gives a little
extra counter space in the kitchen, a little extra amount of room in the living area. Like
Eileen said, it's basically just that extra 3 feet, which comes out to a total of about 50
extra square feet for each cabin.
Pierce Rafferty: Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Anybody else? Would anybody else like to address the Board on
Eastern Long Island Kampground Amended? This is the last opportunity to make a
comment about Eastern Long Island Kampground. Seeing none.
Martin Sidor: I make a motion to close the hearing.
James H. Rich III: Second.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 113 March 9, 2020
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Martin, seconded by Jim. Any discussion? All in
favor?
Ayes.
Opposed?
None.
Motion carries.
Chairman Wilcenski: 6:02 p.m. - Strong's Storage Buildings —This Site Plan is for
the proposed construction of two (2) buildings for boat storage, one at 52,500 sq. ft. and
the other at 49,000 sq. ft., located on 32.6 acres in the Mil and R-80 Zoning Districts
where there is 69,245 sq. ft. of existing boatyard buildings. The property is located at
3430 Mill Road, Mattituck. SCTM#1000-106-6-13.4
Chairman Wilcenski: Before I ask the applicant to present the project and open the
floor to questions, I'd just like to make some notations for everyone here so we all
understand the process that's going on. We typically don't have a public hearing this
early in the site plan applications but this is a large project so we would like to stay
ahead of it and give the community opportunities to be heard at the earliest stages in
order to help the applicant and to help us as well. So this is the beginning of the
process. Holding an early hearing to gather information will help us to determine
SEQRA, which is a big undertaking and we are doing it in-house, an outside agency is
not doing the SEQRA determination, it is being done in-house by our staff. To make
sure we address all potential impact and understand all concerns, as we have only just
begun the SEQRA review. We will expect additional hearings after this, there will be at
least one additional hearing. If SEQRA meets a certain point, there may be more
hearings. We will be adjourning this hearing tonight without a date at the end of this
hearing tonight so it will be left open until a future date —to be determined — it will all
depend on the amount of time and effort that will need to be put in to get the information
back to us so we can make some decisions. The timing of the future hearings will
depend on SEQRA, as I just said, so with that, I just want to make a point that the
applicant will make a presentation and then anyone who would like to address the
Board, please address the Board This meeting is being recorded so all information and
questions will be answered by staff over the next several months and this process will
continue. As I said at the start, this is the beginning of the process so nobody is left out
in the dark— you're here at the right time. With that, I'll ask Mr. Cuddy if he would like to
speak.
Charles Cuddy: I'm Charles Cuddy, I represent the applicant. This is a Marine II district
and the Town through its Planning process and through the Town Code has
encouraged development of Marine uses. They claim marine recreational commercial
uses and that's what the Strong's propose on this site is to add two storage buildings
based on the need that they have for additional winter storage. The units will be
Southold Town Planning Board Page 114 March 9, 2020
discussed in some more detail by Ryan Strong in just a few minutes but I would point
out to you that the nearest neighbor, the Tusas on the south have filed a letter with the
Board indicating that they don't object to this proposal. I also have a letter from James
Miller who is northeast of this site who is in favor of this addition and indicates that it will
bring additional jobs and also will increase the tax base. Infer to that it will add a
waterline coming down Mill Road. We believe this is an appropriate use of the site that it
will be beneficial overall and we're going to have some more people speak, besides me,
but I would like to add this letter reference to Miller.
Chairman Wilcenski: Sure. Thank you, Charles.
Charles Cuddy: I would like to introduce Ryan Strong, who will do a PowerPoint
Presentation— not a long one — but just to show the site.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. And just a reminder to everyone, when you speak at
the podium, please state your name as it's the only way we can tell who is speaking on
the recording of this meeting. Thank you.
Ryan Strong: Ryan Strong, Strong's Marine. First off, thank you all for listening, on
behalf of my family and the 108 full-time employees we have, we again, thank you for
hearing us out. What we will be describing is really just a brief overview of the project for
some that have not seen in detail. This year we are proud to say it is our 75th
anniversary in business, I am our 4th generation, not many make it to this level but
thankfully I am and we are not looking to sell, we are looking to continue so that's
ultimately why we are in front of you guys here tonight. Just a brief history of my family,
right here, that's' my family direct, myself and my brother who's with us tonight and my
parents, this is my great-grandparents, my dad's father and mother. This is our original
location that was here in Mattituck on the bay side which many people know us for. Now
this year, 2020 we thankfully are over 100 full-time employees, we do have locations
stretched across long island, two in Southampton, three in Mattituck town and then one
in Freeport and Port Washington. We, thankfully, in today's world are selling boats and
yachts 19 to 133 feet and continue to have good business. This is the yacht center that
is location that we are speaking about here tonight, just for frame of reference, that's an
86, that 110 footer, this one here is a full-time resident along with a 90 that's sitting right
here, just for a size perspective on the property.
So a brief overview, the two added, heated, indoor storage buildings will be primarily
used as winter storage. It's been a very large demand for us in the Northeast and
across, actually the nation, with ever-growing demands for keeping their vessels inside
as opposed to out. It will support 15 full-time new employees, again, for careers in the
town of Mattituck as noted already by Charles Cuddy, we do plan on bringing a need to
(inaudible) drinking water, we also plan on fire suppression these buildings. We will
absolutely bring additional clients to visit the North fork and the most important
*Recording error, new recording started.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 115 March 9, 2020
Jim Neumann: Good Evening, My name is Jim Neumann, I apologize for not having a
PowerPoint but I just learned about this less than a week ago. I'm going to read from
the statement and hopefully it's clear:
My name is Jim Neumann and I, along with the other members of my family, am the
owner of 750 East Mill Road in Mattituck. I and my family reside there in a single
dwelling on 25 acres. My brother owns an additional property to the south, also on the
east side of the creek. Made property was purchased in 1993 and was previously
owned by our extended family beginning in 1955. Myself, my parents and my five
siblings began coming to the same property for summers beginning in 1970. Fast-
forward to 2020, when we now own multiple Mattituck residences and a few commercial
properties. The 750 East Mill property is directly across the Mattituck creek from what is
now called Strong's Yacht Center. The property which should be well known to the
Planning Board and to the Planners and there as the has been an active Subdivision
applications for many years and is currently in limbo over a drainage easement
agreement, which is designed to ameliorate the runoff into the Mattituck Inlet. The
Planners will recall, the Neumann's feel strongly about their obligation to be good,
environmentally-sensitive stewards of our property, and by extension, the creek. It
should also be noted that we have been actively communicating with the Town to
address the sever runoff issue from East Mill Road and the adjoining farm into the inlet
for the past 20 years. Our attorney on the subdivision and other property issues is/was
Charles Cuddy, who I learned last week upon trying to contact him regarding this
matter, has represented Strong's since at least July 2018, which coincides with a period
of our subdivision application. I've also previously engaged Young & Young, including
Harry Young, Bob Tass, Tom Wolpert in matters related to my subdivision and home
construction. Upon learning of attorney Cuddy's conflict, we have engaged attorney
Bressler who is here on our behalf this evening. Let me begin by saying the site plan, as
I've already mentioned, was complete news to us when we received a packet from Jeff
Strong less than a week ago. From the materials it seems we have been kept in the
dark for more than two years and that the original paperwork was filed back in July of
2018. Therefore, from a timing perspective, is quite difficult to adequately view the
materials, consult with the various agencies, review the law, consult with my family,
reach out to neighbors, etcetera, in order to develop a well-researched, thoughtful
response. It also seems to us that Charles Cuddy should recuse himself from the
project as he actively was engaged in our subdivision with the Town Planners and
Planning Board, and thus has the privileged knowledge of my and our relevant concerns
regarding the Mattituck Inlet ecology, which includes issues like runoff,
commercialization, both traffic and noise pollution. He's also aware of my privileged
views regarding the way our subdivision process had progressed, the time, (inaudible)
and expense has resulted. Now, onto the site plan as the purpose of this meeting: First,
from our front road vantage point, the ecology of the Mattituck Inlet has been on the
decline for many years. Anecdotally, half my wetland are in distress, erosion is at an all-
time high, water depths is down three feet from silt and the water—especially during the
seasonal months — is increasingly polluted. It's not a stretch to label runoff, commercial
activity and increased marine traffic to the state of the inlet ecology. I learned this week
that there is something called "The Southold Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan" or
Southold Town Planning Board Page 116 March 9, 2020
LWRP, which has a bearing on this enormous project. LWRP states "The purpose of
harbor management, as determined in LWRP, is to balance the need for public access
to the water with the need to protect the resource from irreparable damage." Strong's
application also sites supporting reference from the Long Island Sound and Costal
Management Program Report. This report is from March of 1994, and we fail to see how
that is relevant to today, an update of that report may be worth investigating. Strong's
application fully responds to the LWRP objectives and the required application section
as follows - and the first part really struck me: "This project will enhance community
character." Really? How? It goes on to answer "By construction of the two new boat
storage buildings. I guess the definition of 'Community Character' is open for
interpretation. It further states that the project makes beneficial use of a costal location
for hauling storage boats, which leads one to ask: beneficial to what group? It also
boldly asserts the proposed project will not have a negative impact on the visual quality
for scenic resources of the Town of Southold. And finally, closes with a truly altruistic
statement: "The project has been designed to provide for the enhancement of access to
and recreational use of coastal waters for the Town of Southold. It does not seem to us
that any of these statements are in agreement with the LWRP and, in fact, several are
in direct opposition to the reality of the project. This project is designed to store an
additional 100 yachts — not boats — predominately not owned by Southold residents.
These 100 yachts are there for hauling, service, storage and launching 'in the spring,
they will not be in our local waters or aid in our local economy. In fact, they're just trying
to find a commercial operation large enough to be able to store their yachts and have no
community association other than twice a year, costal access needs. Keep in mind that
the number of boats to be stored greatly outnumbers the number of slips available.
Regarding the aesthetic and resource impact claim, we're not sure how this can be
supported. These are the first one story buildings we have heard of that soar 55 feet
into the air, eclipsing the existing storage buildings in front of them, which themselves
are certainly not aesthetically pleasing. They're each longer and wider than a football
field and combine are 101,500 square feet. To make room, 3.9 acres will be essentially
strip mined. This entails removing 134,921 cubic yards of soil over a period claimed to
be five months. If the estimate is correct in the application, this entails 27 round trips per
day of 30 yard trucks. Activity begins at 7 a.m. and goes till 4 p.m., six days per week.
Over the estimated five months, the excavation equates to 5,670 round trips —that's my
math. These estimates for the excavation also need to be properly vetted by experts on
this type of large-scale project. This doesn't include bringing in equipment, bringing in
materials and personnel on a daily basis. While there is some language included about
dust and noise control, there is no way this massive activity has no impact. In addition to
the excavation, 495 trees, greater than six inches in diameter, including 346 carbon
dioxide absorbing oaks are to be removed. In exchange for this, the project rewards the
community with two giant buildings, four 2,000 gallon, above-ground LP tanks,
additional water and septic needs and two concrete retaining walls with embedded plant
life. The environmental impact study should be an interesting read. The impact of the
construction stake in this project is just the beginning of a permanent, irreversible,
damaging impact to the ecology of Mattituck Inlet. The inlet is already strained by the
increase in boat traffic from the success of Strong's other property called Water Club.
There is a constant parade of transient boats during the season, generally disregarding
Southold Town Planning Board Page 117 March 9, 2020
and wave rules designed for safety and negative impact on the shoreline. The inlet is
strained by the pollutants from the boats during the season and it struggles to cleanse
itself during the off-season. Those of us who live and recreate on the inlet are all too
familiar with the issue of fuel, garbage and boat septic systems dirtying our waterway.
While there has been some attempt to provide better pump-out facilities, the truly dirty
secret amongst the transient community, is that many boats simply pump overboard.
Dramatically increasing the number of boats coming in and out of the fragile ecosystem
needs to be studies as it currently exists and further studies as to the impact to this
project. Noise pollution is a problem in Southold Town, the noise which emanates from
the dramatic increase in commercial activity at the current boat yard already impacts the
area negatively. The biggest contributors to the noise are the hauling, power-washing
and launching of boats. These are the very activities which will necessarily increase with
this project completion. The pollutants and pathogens that enter the inlet will certainly
now be increased by the addition of this project and the impact, of not just instruction,
but the ongoing operation requires careful research. You must consider all the other
project details, such as the creation of 100 additional parking spaces — indicated —
before any approvals.are considered. It is clear that the major beneficiary of this project
is Strong's Marine and not members of the community. The other, albeit paying
beneficiaries, are the owners and captains of the 100 additional yachts to be stored in
the now super-sized storage buildings. As an aside, it's also clear to us that there are
rosy economic assumptions, including the statement of the notoriously cyclical yacht
business as well as implied local ownership built into he rationale of the project. The
project does not seem consistent with the Town of Southold's plan for the waterfront
and stated environmental concerns regardless of (inaudible). It is our intent to ensure
that the impact of this project on the ecology of the inlet and the local community is
carefully studied. As the timeline has been tight, I have only been able to refer to a few
of the issues that jumped out at us from the materials received. We are fortunate that
access to family-related environmental economists as well as environmental lawyers,
they're experts at understanding and figuring out how to lower the impact of commercial
projects on shared waterways. Our objective is to ensure that the inlet and the
community are not adversely affected by cotinine increase and scope by Strong's or
other commercial operations. Reversely, this project proposal may help the Town put
the spotlight on privy the ecology of the creek, other than just trying to control the
decline. We will also reach out to the community, the Town of Southold on all levels and
the associated relevant agencies to express our concerns and as for (inaudible) in our
shared, fragile, Mattituck Creek resource. Thank you for your time and attention to this
important matter. The Neumann family is looking forward to working together to find the
best path forward for Mattituck Creek and to preserve it for future generations. Thank
you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board?
Please, yes.
Eric Bressler: May it please the Board, my name is Eric Bressler, attorney in Mattituck,
New York for Wickham, Bressler, Geasa and we are the attorneys for Mr. Neumann,
whom you just heard from who lives across the creek from this proposed project. I'd like
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to start my remarks, which I hope to keep relatively brief, with something I don't often do
when I come before the Planning Board and that is: I would like to give credit where
credit is due — Kudos to the staff for reviewing this application, for reviewing the EAF,
determining the deficiencies in the EAF — some of which were blatant, some of which
were not-so-obvious, sending out the communication and highlighting the environmental
issues —which were omitted from the EAF- whether intentionally or unintentionally—
nonetheless, they were omitted, so kudos for that. That having been said, I would like to
draw the Boards attention to one statement that was in the staff report last month, that I
think summarizes our clients concern, which I take it is probably shared by a lot of
people in the audience — that's it— shake your heads yes. Okay, good. And that is this,
and I quote: "This is a major project in an environmentally sensitive area." That pretty
much sums this up. Now I understand we're here at the beginning of the SEQRA
process, which runs, coincidentally, with the planning process itself, substantively, but of
course, must be completed before the completion of the Planning process. In reviewing
the documents, it appears that there are so many issues of such significance that it is
essential — and it's unavoidable —that a positive declaration be made here and a full
environmental review be done. I understand people see to the Board that if that's to be
done, you're going to keep that right here and perform that yourself. Good luck, folks!
Assuming that the Board makes that determination because there are a lot, there are a
lot of issues. Turning first to the impacts that are identified by 6 NYCRR section 617.7
and the adverse factors that are set forth later in that regulation, it seems apparent that
there are issues all over the place. Why was it determined that this was Type 1?
Because the total acreage to be disturbed was so great and that was absolutely
justified. Not only are these 3.9 acres to be disturbed, they are to be absolutely savaged
in multiple ways. The trees are to be stripped, the foliage — removed, the elevation —
destroyed, the latest figures I saw was 171,000 cubic yards. What that relates to in
terms of truck trips, I think is not at all clear, in fact, I think it's misstated in the
application. That deserves to be looked at. What are the adverse factors from that?
We've got erosion, we've got runoff, we've got removal of helpful trees, we have
destruction of habitat for threatened species. What else do we have from that? Oh yeah,
we have Health Department concerns. In looking at the water table figures, when you
go to the USGS site, you see where the water table is. If you move back from the creek,
it's about ten feet down, but as you move back as the land goes up, it goes up to thirty,
forty, fifty feet. What happens if you remove forty-three feet of fill? You're right back
down to ten feet and you're right on top of the water table. All the runoff's going to go
there; the new sanitary facilities are going to go there. Not a particularly desirable
situation. Before station, air quality, runoff, erosion. Number three: construction activities
— noise, traffic, - to be determined. Sand removal, grade change, erosion and runoff-
whether those permits are actually granted or not by the DEC and the Town, is highly
problematic at this juncture, that's a huge removal. You have runoff from the roofs that
causes a runoff problem, you have runoff from the land down toward the creek, you
have increased water usage and all of that increased water usage of 1200 gallons a day
— round figure — is going to go back into the ground. Water quality issues: you have a
new sanitary facility and now, you're knocking down and percolation depths, which you
had if you did the remove 43 feet of land. Water quality issue: you have the operations
themselves: the equipment, the noise, the air pollution all relating to the noise, air
Southold Town Planning Board Page 119 March 9, 2020
quality and water quality. The traffic during construction and during operations: traffic
issues, noise issues. The hours of operation are extended — Is this marina really going
to close at 5 o'clock on a weekend? I don't think so but that's what it says in the
application. That's got to be looked at. Storage of LP gas- boy, there's a lot of that going
on here. Significantly, the application failed to properly answer the question about the
waters of Mattituck Creek. Staff picked it up —the waters of Mattituck Creek are already
impaired by pollution and pathogens. I don't think this project is going to do anything to
clean that up — in fact— it's going to exactly the opposite. It's in the 500 year flood plain
—that's flood issues. You've got species that are threatened: The Northern Long-Eared
bat. Threatened species is one of the adverse factors. Species of rare or special
concern: Southern Sprite, Eastern Box Turtle. Again, you have protected species issues
and an aesthetic resource — Can anybody really argue that this project is an
enhancement to the aesthetics of Mattituck Creek? I suppose somebody could but I
don't think there are any of them here tonight. The answers to the Waterfront
Revitalization Policies, the answers, I can only classify as likeful. My client went over
those in detail. This is not consistent with the LWRP. So what is it that we need in order
to properly evaluate this application? What we need are several things and even those
— Chairman —you pointed out, we are at the beginning of the process, it is well to focus
on what we need for right now so we know where we're going on a go-forward basis.
The first thing that we need is a positive declaration and a Full EIS, that's the first thing
that we need. In conjunction therewith, this project cries out for a full-blown traffic study,
both during the construction and after completion, while it's in full operation. I was struck
— in listening to the presentation — of the inherent inconsistencies. That is to say, with
respect to the completed operations, this is a great benefit to the community, yet when
you listen to what this is for, it's hard to connect that benefit. This is for people who are
only going to show up twice a year and they're not our local people. Is that true? Or is
the former true? There is an inherent inconsistency in this. It seems what this is, I think
people from the campground said it right: We're looking for different cash flow revenue
sources. That's exactly what they're looking for— I understand that— and that's what's
happening here. They want two huge buildings, they want to stock them full of vessels
and it's got no connection to the community whatsoever. So we need a really heavy
duty traffic study and we need to study all of the other aspects of this, we need to talk
about eh water table, we need to talk about the defoliation and what those impacts are
going to be and then we need to plug that, not only into SEQRA, but we need to plug
that in to part 280 of the Town Code. Many of which obligations are contained in part
280 mirror those of SEQRA. Traffic, flood safety, mitigation of environmental impacts,
preservation of natural resources, protection of ground and surface waters, protection of
air quality— here's an interesting one — 280-129: "Respect existing grades..." I don't
think we're showing much respect for existing grades. I know what the applicant will
argue, yet the Town (inaudible) to believe that— (inaudible)- believe that that was a
value worth protecting. So there you have it, you have a plan that— if you look at the
slideshow— looks just great, but as soon as you look under the hood, there are
problems all over the place and the only way to resolve those problems and square
what wants to be done with the values set forth in SEQRA and in the Town Code is to
make a positive dec. and start ordering inaudible to figure out what the real impact of
this project is going to be. We urge you to do that.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 120 March 9, 2020
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board?
Please just step to the podium, you can use the other side if you'd like. You can speak
first and then sign your name afterwards. Thank you. Please state your name.
Stephen Boscola: Hi. Stephen Boscola. Our family has the house that's in that yellow
box right in the middle there and despite Jeff Strong telling my mom the other day "You
shouldn't have built that house there.." that was 50 years ago and 6 years ago my
grandfather built Mattituck Inlet Marina, so we're very intimately knowledgeable with this
area. I would also like to note that when everybody here was talking about Strong's and
these boats coming in twice a year— Strong's offers Captain services I believe —which
means they'll come pick your boat up, bring it to their facility, charge an arm and a leg to
store it and then send it back to your dock when you're done with it. Which means
people will never actually come to this marina if they choose to opt for that plan. I just
wanted to note that there really is no need that's been proven for this project. Jeff
Strong invited my family down to the marina to discuss the plan and through a few of
the lies that were told, such as, that he already has plans to clear the trees, which we
know he does not and that this will only take 6 months to excavate, we know its going to
take a lot longer than that. He told us that he needs 60% occupancy in the first building
before the bank will even build the second building so there is no need for this project
and it's admitted by Mr. Strong and the bank. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Please be sure to write your name. Would anybody
else like to address the Board?
Denise Garrangher: Denise Garrangher. My family has lived at Bayview Avenue, 1305
Bayview Avenue, which backs up to North Drive since the 70's. I grew up here, I've
always lived in Mattituck. (Inaudible) live on Sigsbee Road but Ryan Strong stated that
they're bringing in more people. A lot of us are not excited about bringing in these more
people that are not really doing anything for our local economy. We have plenty of
people, the roads are already crazy and so just stated so that's not really a great idea
just to start with. The Strong's Marina proposal is absolutely absurd for the area, if
allowed, it would have an extreme adverse impact on the environment, the neighbors,
the wildlife, the tree loss, the local roadways, local waterways -just to name a few. The
extended noise and air pollution from this proposed project would affect people for
miles. I believe the plans stated that they will want to remove at least 14,000 cubic
yards of sand and soil —from which talking and doing some research — that's basically
sand (inaudible). This would definitely affect the ground stabilization of the neighboring
properties - there's no way it couldn't - not to mention the erosion and the runoff
situations it could cause. The noise of the large equipment that would be used would
adversely impact the wildlife and the neighbors for an extended period of time. The local
roadways cannot withstand the large construction trucks and equipment needed to
complete a massive project such as this. Just the trucks needed to move the 140,000
plus cubic yards of sand and soil would destroy the local roads. All that looks great, but
if you live there, those roads were not designed to — I'm not even sure they were
designed for the bigger vehicles we have these days — never mind all those massive
Southold Town Planning Board Page 121 March 9, 2020
trucks and everything that would be used. The tree loss —which I believe is stated in the
plans —would be in the hundreds, even though they state that not many trees would be
cut down. I was there the other day, my parents live right there, I walked down there
and first of all, not only in the spring you're starting to see all these small turtles and a
lot of different species that would be destroyed back there, you look back there, all that
is just fluff because if you actually walk back there and growing up there, I've been there
my whole life, we've spent many times in that woods, we used to pick blueberries back
there - every Sunday we'd make blueberry pancakes which are no longer there but
that's the way life goes I guess. It's just ridiculous — so the tree loss, that they said
would be in the hundreds would not only adversely impact the wildlife and everyone
around the area since the trees need to create the oxygen we breathe, that would be a
great loss too. I believe this project also backs up to the town preserved land which
means it would affect the extended number of wildlife that is in there as well — not only
the wildlife that's in the proposed building area. This project would also have to
negatively impact our local waterways since it is so close to the proposed building site —
no matter what they say — it has to —those boats coming in and all the runoff and stuff
would have to negatively affect the waterways there. Not to mention, I don't believe a
project this size and location fits in with our town Comprehensive Plan, I've been to
almost every meeting the last couple of years of the town Comprehensive Plan and I
don't remember anything about digging out all this dirt would be acceptable with the
sand and just the size of this project, I really don't see how that fits in. For the reasons
I've stated, not only these, there's people that have gone before me but I do ask that
ultimately this project is denied but that we do take a really good look at the
environmental impact because those pictures don't show any of the real things going on
there, they don't show all the trees that are marked in orange back there, they don't
show all the dirt that's coming out of there. There's no way that any of the properties on
either side —they can't dig out that dirt fast enough to put up those walls that would ruin
everything anyway — not to have erosion and runoff affected, it's just not possible.
Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board? Yes,
you can step right up to the podium.
Jim King: Yes, my name's Jim King. I live directly across from the shipyard in Mattituck
Creek (inaudible) and the only thing that I'd like to say is: the shipyard has been a good
neighbor for the 52 years that I've lived there. It's grown a lot and it's continuing to grow,
have no objections to the project whatsoever. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board? Yes.
Eileen Wingate: Hi I'm Eileen Wingate and this time I'm speaking because I live
across the street. The little house on the other side, across West Mill is where we live
We are here today to listen and learn, I've been through the plans extensively. We're
just digesting all this information. I did happen to notice on the plans that there's very
little information on the wall system that will be installed, it says "Evergreen wall by
others " At no point in time does it talk about how it's built, what it is, how tall it is. It
Southold Town Planning Board Page 122 March 9, 2020
gives lengths. I'd like to know a little bit more about the constructions and the height of
the walls. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Again, all of those questions will be answered. This is
the beginning of the process so feel free to continue to ask questions and at the end,
we'll ask the applicant if they'd like to answer of the questions. Yes?
Phil Karlin: Phil Karlin. I keep my boat at Strong's Marina and since they've been there,
they've tried to improve everything they could and it's just been a pleasure with them
owning it. I know that they're going to try to do the right thing when it comes to this
project. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board?
Jim Hinsch: My name is Jim Hinsch, I live in Laurel. I've known the Strong's for— going
on 40 years — in a business and personal relationship. I know they —to reiterate this
gentleman's words — do the right thing. 1['m confident the project would be done well
and they employ dozens of people. I think all those things should be taken into
consideration.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Please be sure to write your name. Would anybody
else like to address the Board? Yes?
Dave Perrin: Hi, good evening. My name's Dave Perrin. I am a Mattituck Resident. I'm
also a father of a family who owns a small business and our children go to the schools
here. I'm also current President of the Mattituck Chamber of Commerce. I wasn't going
to say a lot tonight, I just wanted to listen. I think that's the beginning of a preliminary
phase is to listen. I do want to say a few things and I want to address the Board on Jeff
Strong the Strong family —their character, what they've done for the community. I do
believe — yes there's a lot of discussions that need to take place - but I also do believe
that it's fair to say that they do have a very positive economic impact. The water club,
the marina has brought countless people not only to the Love Lane in Mattituck
business corridor but they benefit the entire North Fork. There is another interesting fact
that I think we should discuss and that is that they are the aquatic gateway. Their impact
on traffic is actually less, a lot of us sit on panels, we discuss: How do we get people to
come, enjoy, visit our area? Positive impact from the economic perspective but then
reduces, simultaneously, a lot of cars on the road. We're trying to find alternative ways,
this is one of them. I do believe, wholeheartedly, the family will continue their
conversations, make modifications if need be, but I'm a voice for the process. Thank
you
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Yes. Either side is fine.
Donna Boscola: Hi, I'm Donna Boscola and I live in hat house that's right there and
actually Jeff Strong was about this far away from me the other day and I asked him a
question, I said: "Jeff, you're really close, right?" and he said "Yeah," I said "Would you
Southold Town Planning Board Page 123 March 9, 2020
like this in your backyard, off your pool?" and he wouldn't answer, he says "No, I know."
And I said "No, Jeff, answer the question, it's yes or no. Would you like that in your
backyard, off your pool?" and he said "No." Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board? Yes,
you can go to this side.
David Boscola: David, David Boscola. That to say it's not going to impact the traffic, to
get that sand out of there we figured out its 22,000 round trips down West Mill Road, I
think that will be a big impact on that poor little road. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Again, to just go over, this hearing will be left open
without a date. We are going to be getting processes of getting started with SEQRA.
You're free to write letters or emails to the Planning Department but if anybody has any
other questions or concerns please also feel free to step to the podiums and speak
tonight and we will give the applicant to answer a couple of questions should he choose
to do so.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board? Yes,
you can go to this side.
Anne Sherwood Pundyk: My name is Anne Sherwood Punyk, I live year-round at
1185 West Mill Road, which is about a quarter mile from the proposed temporary road. I
jog 4 times a week down West Mill Road and back, I'm familiar with the property and
this area. I'm familiar with the road itself, I frequently fear for my life while on this small,
two-lane road because of the 35 mile-per-hour speed limit is not always kept to — as
someone else mentioned- there's increasingly larger cars, designed after this road was
designed. I don't have a deep, detailed insight, I was only able to review the plans late
yesterday so I'm really just commenting on experience of the area_as a resident that it's
utterly horrifying to think about the construction phase of this project and the impact on
us and others who frequently walk the road, walk their dogs, children that play so I
wanted to comment on that. As far as the project itself—the phrases that were
mentioned prior to —which, again, I just took a very brief notes reading over the
background of it— I don't see how this project can enhance the community character,
enhance the visual quality and protect scenic resources. I don't see how we'll have no
impact in visual qualities of open space and natural resources. I can't see how it would
protect and improve water quality, protect in the ecosystems, fish and wildlife habitats
and wetlands, air quality and again, this is only page 9 of the 52 pages so again, I'm just
speaking informally but as a very concerned neighbor and community member of this
area. I thank you all for your attention to this and careful consideration. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board? Yes
Arleen Amato: Areleen Amato. I'm from Mattituck. I live on Cox Neck Road, which is
just before you go into Mill. I am really concerned with the sand mining. I had that
experience in Patchogue, where I grew up, and they had a class-action suit, where the
Southold Town Planning Board Page 124 March 9, 2020
people around the area sued those people for taking out the sand but the statement
was that there would no longer be sand mining. There was across the street from me
and I called the town and I called all the way up to Palumbo's office, had I known you
were available, I would have retained them. I was the only one — it seemed —that had
an open voice about it, along with my husband. We even called the DEC and Bob Yaker
- in his own way—told us "well there has to be permits for this sort of thing, but I don't
know let me check" so he didn't give us a full answer either. 740 cubic yards, am I
correct? Were supposed to be the limit, it went beyond that, truck after truck after truck,
in front of my house. So much so that it shook the house, the trucks, - I don't think
anyone realizes — are bigger than you can believe and they're all, no dot numbers,
nothing. My husband and I were both in law enforcement and, as curious as we were,
we followed them and they went all over the island selling that sand so to promote
another issue like this — and I suspect—they will use Cox Neck to take it out or even
Bergen because they were doing that before. Please, if you can do anything, listen to
what someone has to say that lives there for 40 years. I don't want to see it. I don't want
to see the sand decimated or taken away for any reason —for some business, for some
people that don't live here. For that sort of reason and just for aesthetics, I just really
don't want to enjoy that again. It's enough with the traffic coming off of Sound that hit
the mile and still travel 60, 70 miles along my road —they will pass busses- and no one
has stopped it. I have called, I have a regular commercial zoning going down that road
now and I'm very unhappy with it, including — if you want to talk dark skies — premium,
which has lights on all night long. No one's listened. So, I'm very concerned about that
and I hope that you will listen and maybe consider that when you come to-a decision
about removing sand and starting this massive project. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Anybody else like to address the Board? Yes?
Lori Panarello: My name is Lori Panarello, I live next door to Anne Pundyk, who spoke.
I came in tonight to listen to this proposal and, quite frankly, was horrified to listen to
what can happen to the waterway, the wildlife, nature around us. For the people who
spoke so eloquently to that, I have nothing to add to that except that.. I live in the
community now for five years and I happen to live on the corner where the bus stop is.
So many times, I watch in the morning where commercial trucks go by to do their job in
the morning and I've seen the mothers and fathers at the bus stop yanking their children
back from being killed on that street. I've been to this town at least six times already to
ask for speed bumps, stop signs and we've gotten nowhere. I've almost been taken out
a few times myself walking my dog, I've watched Anne jogging, almost get killed. I really
find it hard to believe that 54 tricks a day, removing sand and dirt, bringing cement into
that area is going to be anything less than detrimental to the people that live in that
neighborhood. I can't see it being a positive in any way so I'm dust really concerned with,
not only the environment, but what it's going to do to us on a daily basis for a year and a
half to two years.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board? Yes,
sir?
Southold Town Planning Board Page 125 March 9, 2020
Nick Andreadis: Nick Andreadis, I live on 100 North Drive. I'm right on the borderline of
the Marine on the south. I've been through this process with this Board and building my
house also so we had some of the same issues as far as clearing land and everything
else. I've also been in the construction business all my life. I think that the construction
can be planned, it can be executed, it doesn't have to be anything that really
inconvenient or terrific or irreparable. I think that all of that can be done, it will be taken
care of and we'll move on. I also believe in progress, I think that the Strong family
makes a great contribution to Mattituck. In the time that they've owned the property,
they've done a lot of improving on it. I now keep my boat there, where I didn't before
because there have been improvements and upgrades there. (Audience members
speaking over Mr. Andreadis) No, I'm not getting free docking — believe it or not— I
wasn't even going to speak today. The one thing that I would — because we're in the
early process of planning the project— I would ask the Strong family to take a look and
see what they can do as far as the aesthetics of it, because the Yacht Center is a
beautiful property, it looks great. This property, not so good. You know, it's very
commercial, very basic looking and I think that, with a little bit of attention to the design,
I think that it could be turned into something that's more attractive and would probably
allay a lot of the concerns that people here have. That's it. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Just a reminder, please give the speaker some
respect. Everybody needs to be heard. Would anybody else like to speak? (Audience
members speaking amiss) Would anybody else like to address the Board? Yes?
Christie Rantel: Hi, my name is Chris Rantel and I live along with my father at 55 North
Drive in Mattituck. Unlike my neighbor, I am complete against this project and having
only a couple of days where I had anything informing me of this project. I really haven't
had time to look at it in great detail. However, just from what I've heard tonight and what
common sense tells me, I am absolutely opposed to this project and I cannot imagine
the effect it's going to have on our community. I wasn't going to speak tonight but ,
sufficient people have stood up to give support and voice to this project and that really
horrifies me to this date. That's all I want to say.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Please be sure to sign your name. Would anybody
else like to address the Board? Would Strong's like to respond? Anybody? You don't
have to, you don't have to make any comments. Again, to reiterate, this is the beginning
of the process and we expected — being the project size that it is and the impacts its
going to have — that's why we're having this hearing. It is unusual to have a hearing this
early in the site plan process.
Charles Cuddy: Charles Cuddy again for the Strong's. I'd like to point out several
things: first of all, the Strong's — as they've pointed out earlier— own three sites in
Mattituck, two sites that existing, one on the bay, one that used to be Matt-a-mar are not
polluted. They have not done anything that's harmed the waters there, they've made
them, I think, better and I think most people recognize that. I don't think they're going to
do anything here that's going to harm the waters. I noted in the earlier lecture that we
Southold Town Planning Board Page 126 March 9, 2020
got about SEQRA that most, if not all of the information, came from the Strong's.
Strong's haven't been hiding anything, Strong's have been saying exactly what they're
going to do and it's our job — and we know that— to mitigate the concerns that have
been expressed here. WE intend to do that, we think we can.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. With that said, this is the last opportunity to speak.
Otherwise, we are accepting emails, faxes, letters to the Planning Department and
again, we are going to adjourn the hearing tonight without a date because we're not
certain how long ti will take to continue working on the project, it is being done in-house.
We will keep everybody posted. Any public meeting have to be posted for a month out,
we will make sure that everybody is made aware of the next hearing. Can I get a motion
to adjourn the hearing without a later date?
Pierce Rafferty: I make a motion to adjourn the hearing to a later date without a date
specified.
James H. Rich III: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Pierce, seconded by Jim. Any discussion? All in
favor?
Ayes.
Opposed?
None.
Motion carries.
APPROVAL OF PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
• February 10, 2020
APPROVAL OF PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
Chairman Wilcenski: We need a motion to approve the board minutes from:
• February 10, 2020
James H. Rich III: So moved.
Pierce Rafferty: Second.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 127 March 9, 2020
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Jim , seconded by Pierce. Any discussion? All in
favor?
Ayes.
Opposed?
None.
Motion carries.
Chairman Wilcenski: We need a motion for adjournment.
Pierce Rafferty: I'd like to make a motion for adjournment.
James H. Rich III: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Pierce, seconded by Jim. Any discussion? All in
favor?
Ayes.
Opposed?
None.
Motion carries.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jessica Michaelis
Transcribing Secretary
Donald J. Wilcenski, Chairman ,
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