HomeMy WebLinkAboutMattituck Hotel F E'8 2 4 2023
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Southold, New York 11971
Attn: Donald Wilcenski, Chair, Southold Planning Board
Heather Lanza, Planning Director
Dear Mr. Wilcenski and Ms. Lanza;
I am writing to you about the proposed Mattituck Hotel project(SCTM#1 000-122-6-22.1) on Main
Road, in Mattituck. This proposal to turn the old Capital One office building into a new 34' tall,
two-story, 121-room resort hotel includes an indoor water park with slides and waterfalls, a 300-
seat catering hall, a 200-seat restaurant, and 200 underground parking spaces, in addition to 376
outside parking spaces.
I am AGAINST this project for the following reasons, which are specifically addressed in the
Southold Town Comprehensive Plan.
The environmental impact is a grave concern. The Traffic concern is a major issue for my family.
It will hurt existing small businesses to include the Wineries. Why not help our Veterans and
make the site into a VA hospital ! This is a strain on our Vet's.
Thank you for providing an opportunity for residents to express their serious concern over this
project.
Thank You,
Camille Panzarella
P.O. Box 1492
Mattituck , NY 11952
347 728 0745
cc Mattituck Laurel Civic Association
mica.mttk.lrl mail.com
or to
P.O. Box 465
Mattituck, NY 11952
Anthony J. Colletta, Esq.
1657 Meadow Beach Lane
Mattituck, N.Y. 11952
collettaa@sullcrom.com
February 22, 2023
Delivered via Email
Town of Southold
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, New York 11971
Attn: Donald Wilcenski, Chair, Southold Planning Board
Heather Lanza (heather.lanza@town.southold.ny.us), Planning Director
Dear Mr. Wilcenski and Ms. Lanza;
I am writing to you about the proposed Mattituck Hotel project (SCTM#1000-122-6-22.1) on Main Road,
-story, 121-room resort hotel includes an indoor water park with slides and waterfalls,
a 300-seat catering hall, a 200-seat restaurant, and 200 underground parking spaces, in addition to 376
outside parking spaces.
I am firmly against this project for the reasons stated below, which are specifically addressed in the
Southold Town Comprehensive Plan (the STCP). As a commercial real estate attorney for the last 35
years with a major NYC law firm, I know a fair amount about real estate development and have seen the
pitfalls and adverse consequences that follow from a development that is mismatched for the local
community and that fails to account properly for the development impact on the character, traffic,
local services, environment and aesthetics of that community. The Proposed Resort would have a
material adverse effect on the residents of the North Fork, their quality of life and the character of our
community.
First, having lived in Mattituck for almost 20 years, I can think of no other project in the Town of
Southold that is similar in size and scope to the Proposed Resort or that has so many uses in a single
property. It would be completely out of character with our community and its existing aesthetics. The
Town of Southold is much different than the Town of Riverhead, and that difference is what attracted
residents and visitors to the Town of Southold. I enjoy Riverhead for what it offers, but I chose to live in
the Town of Southold for it unique qualities. Riverhead is where one goes for a big shopping trip to one
of the many shopping centers like Tanger, to stay in a hotel or to visit a commercial attraction like the
aquarium or racetrack. The Town of Southold is where one comes to visit a farmstand or winery, to hike
on a trail or to stop in a quaint little shop. The only way we can keep the character and aesthetics of our
community consistent with the STCP is by saying no to projects like the Proposed Resort that are
completely inconsistent with Southolds character and aesthetic. Allowing the Proposed Resort to
proceed would not only damage the community directly, it would indirectly harm the community in the
future by making it more difficult to turn down other projects that present similar problems and
concerns.It is hard to say noto something new,however undesirable,when the Town sets a
precedent of allowing a project to proceed that is so clearly at oddswith the STCP.
Second, traffic on the North Fork has gotten progressively worse in the 20 years weve lived out here.
While I recognize that it is to be expected that some increase in traffic would be felt as more people
discoverthe North Fork (e.g., winery and brewery visits throughout the year, farm visits during the Fall,
etc.), we have to do what we can to manage traffic problems and avoid making trafficcongestioneven
worse. The traffic along the Main Road is already very bad atcertain times of the year. In particular,
there are frequentlysignificant back-ups from the trafficlightat Factory Avenue in both the easterly
and westerly direction. Having hundreds of extra carsgoingto and from the Proposed Resort(judging
only from the 576parkingspaces the Proposed Resort will utilize) would make traffic on the Main Road
unbearable, likely for milesin either direction. In my opinion, the Proposed Resort is completely at odds
with the stated goals and considerations of the SCTP regarding traffic.
Third, it seems obvious that the Proposed Resort and the large increasethat will followin cars, people,
etc. will place severe strain on the Town of Southolds natural resources and environment, including our
groundwater,potable water supply,air qualityand beaches.Transient hotel guests who briefly stay in
the 121 hotel rooms will surely exercise a different level of care and regard for our environment and
resources than local residents.Furthermore, the Proposed Resort would surely increase and worsen
Southoldswaste accumulation/disposal,its discharge of sewerage, itswater, air, noise and light
pollutionand itsenergy consumption. Allof these consequences are in direct conflict with the stated
objectives of Chapter 6 of the SCTP.
These are just a few ofthe issues I see under the SCTP. In reviewing the 13 stated Goals of Chapter 3 of
the SCTP, I dont see howtheProposed Resort would advancea single one of those goals and objectives
or the goals specific to the Mattituck/Laurel Hamlet described on page 33 of Chapter 3 of the SCTP (e.g.,
ensuring the pedestrian safety/walkability of the Main Road, ensuring development is at a scale consistent
with the hamlets character, etc.). Thank you for providing an opportunity for residents to express their
serious concern over the Proposed Resort.
Sincerely,
Anthony J. Colletta
cc Mattituck Laurel Civic Association
mlca.mttk.lrl@gmail.com
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P.O. Box 465
Mattituck,NY 11952