HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB-08/08/2016 MAILING ADDRESS:
PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS_ OF S0 P.O.Box 1179
DONALD J.WILCENSKI ®V'' ®l® Southold, NY 11971
Chair
OFFICE LOCATION:
WILLIAM J.CREMERS Town Hall Annex
PIERCE RAFFERTY ® 54375 State Route 25
JAMES H.RICH III ®l a (cor.Main Rd. &Youngs Ave.)
MARTIN H.SIDOR yc®UNTY 9�1 Southold, NY
Telephone: 631765-1938
www.southoldtownny.gov
PLANNING BOARD OFFICE
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
PUBLIC MEETING
MINUTES
August 8, 2016
6:00 p.m.
Present were: Donald Wilcenski, Chairman
James H. Rich III, Vice Chairman
Martin Sidor, Member
William Cremers, Member
Pierce Rafferty, Member
Heather Lanza, Planning Director
Mark Terry, Principal Planner
Brian Cummings, Planner
Alyxandra Sabatino, Planner
Jessica Michaelis, Clerk Typist
SETTING OF THE NEXT PLANNING BOARD MEETING
Chairman Wilcenski: Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the
regularly scheduled Planning Board meeting for August 8, 2016. The first order of
business is for the Board to set Monday, September 12, 2016 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.
William Cremers: So moved.
Martin Sidor: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Bill, seconded by Martin. Any discussion? All in
favor?
Ayes.
Motion carries.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 12 August 8, 2016
SITE PLANS
Set Hearings/SEQRA Type Classifications:
Chairman Wilcenski: Country Car Wash Additions - This Amended Site Plan
Application is for two roof additions at 24' x 32' and 24' x 28' (1,440 total sq. ft.) to an
existing 960 sq. ft. car wash facility on 0.918 acres in the General Business Zoning
District. The property is located at 6565 NYS Route 25, ±724' s/w/o Bray Avenue &
NYS Route 25, Mattituck. SCTM#1000-125-1-19.5
Pierce Rafferty: Mr. Chairman, I offer the following:
WHEREAS, this proposed Amended Site Plan is for two roof additions at 24' x 32' and
24' x 28' (1,440 total sq. ft.) to an existing 960 sq. ft. car wash facility on 0.918 acres in
the General Business Zoning District, Mattituck; and
WHEREAS, the Southold Town Planning Board, pursuant to State Environmental
Quality Review Act (SEQRA) 6 NYCRR, Part 617.5 (c), has determined that the
proposed action is a Type II Action as it falls within the following description for 6
NYCRR, Part 617.5(c)(7) construction or expansion of a primary or
accessory/appurtenant, non-residential structure or facility involving less than 4,000
square feet of gross floor area and not involving a change in zoning or a Use Variance
and consistent with local land use controls, but not radio communication or microwave
transmission facilities; be it therefore
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board has determined that this proposed
action is a Type II Action under SEQRA as described above.
James H. Rich III: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Pierce, seconded by Jim. Any discussion? All in
favor?
Ayes.
Motion carries.
Pierce Rafferty: And be it further
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board sets Monday, September 12,
2016 at 6:02 p.m. for a Public Hearing regarding the Site Plan shown on the survey
for SCTM#1000-125.-1-19.5, prepared by Nathan Taft Corwin III, dated November 30,
2015 and last revised June 7, 2016.
William Cremers: Second.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 13 August 8, 2016
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Pierce, seconded by Bill. Any discussion? All in
favor?
Ayes.
Motion carries.
Chairman Wilcenski: Hudson City Amended - This Amended Site Plan Application is
for the proposed use change of an approved two story medical office building to a first
floor consisting of a 1,200 sq. ft. restaurant & 3,550 sq. ft. of retail space and the second
floor containing three (3) medical offices on 1.9 acres in the B/R-40 Zoning Districts.
The property is located at 11600 Route 25, s/e/o Pacific Street & NYS Route 25,
Mattituck. SCTM# 1000-122-3-17.1
James H. Rich III: Mr. Chairman, I offer the following:
WHEREAS, this proposed Amended Site Plan is for the proposed use change of an
approved two story medical office building to a first floor consisting of a 1,200 sq. ft.
restaurant & 3,550 sq. ft. of retail space and the second floor containing three (3)
medical offices on 1.9 acres in the B/R-40 Zoning Districts; and
WHEREAS, the Southold Town Planning Board, pursuant to State Environmental
Quality Review Act (SEQRA) 6 NYCRR, Part 617.5 (c), has determined that the
proposed action is a Type II Action as it falls within the following description for 6
NYCRR, Part 617.5(c)(7) construction or expansion of a primary or
accessory/appurtenant, non-residential structure or facility involving less than 4,000
square feet of gross floor area and not involving a change in zoning or a Use Variance
and consistent with local land use controls, but not radio communication or microwave
transmission facilities; be it therefore
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board has determined that this proposed
action is a Type II Action under SEQRA as described above.
Martin Sidor: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Jim, seconded by Martin. Any discussion? All in
favor?
Ayes.
Motion carries.
James H. Rich III: And be it further
Southold Town Planning Board Page 14 August 8, 2016
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board sets Monday, September 12,
2016 at 6:03 p.m. for a Public Hearing regarding the Site Plan entitled "Hudson City
Savings Bank", prepared by L. K. McLean Associates, P.C., dated July 12, 2006 and
last revised February 3, 2016.
William Cremers: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Jim, seconded by Bill. Any discussion?All in
favor?
Ayes.
Motion carries.
Chairman Wilcenski: Threes Brewing East- This Site Plan Application is for the
proposed construction of a 100' x 65' (6,500 sq. ft.) steel building for production
(brewery with no retail), office and storage with 21 parking stalls on 0.96 acres in the
Light Industrial Zoning District, Cutchogue. The property is located at 12820 Oregon
Road, the south corner of Cox Lane & Oregon Road, Cutchogue. SCTM#1000-83-3-4.6.
William Cremers:
WHEREAS, this Site Plan Application is for the proposed construction of a 100' x 65'
(6,500 sq. ft.) steel building for production (brewery with no retail), office and storage
with 21 parking stalls on 0.96 acres in the Light Industrial Zoning District, Cutchogue;
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; be it therefore
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board has determined that this proposed
action is an Unlisted Action under SEQRA as described above.
James H. Rich III: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Bill, seconded by Jim. Any discussion?All in
favor?
Ayes.
Motion carries.
William Cremers: And be it further
Southold Town Planning Board Page 15 August 8, 2016
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board sets Monday, September 12,
2016 at 6:04 p.m. for a Public Hearing regarding the Site Plan entitled "Threes
Brewing East", prepared by Eric Nicosia, dated July 18, 2016.
Martin Sidor: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Bill, seconded by Martin. Any discussion? All in
favor?
Ayes.
Motion carries.
OTHER
Amend July 11, 2016 Set Hearing Resolution:
Chairman Wilcenski: Verizon Wireless A- MGH Enterprises -This Amended
Wireless Communications Application is for a proposed 20 ft. pole extension to an
approved 70 ft. high concealment pole for a Verizon Wireless co-location of an interior
mounted antenna between 70' and 90' above ground level, a 10 kw diesel generator
with sound enclosure, associated ground equipment and additional landscaping. There
are ±3,924 sq. ft. of existing buildings including a restaurant, marina and associated
accessory structures, all on 4.7 acres in the Marine II Zoning District. The property is
located at 40200 NYS Route 25, ±345' s/w/o Lands End Road & NYS Route 25, Orient.
SCTM#1000-15-9-8.1
Chairman Wilcenski: Please note Member Cremers is recused from this project.
Martin Sidor:
WHEREAS, on July 11, 2016, the Southold Town Planning Board set Monday, August
8, 2016 at 6:01 p.m. for a Public Hearing regarding the Site Plan entitled "Verizon
Wireless Communications at Orient Point", prepared by Neil Alexander Macdonald, R.A,
dated March 1, 2016 and last revised May 23, 2016; and
WHEREAS, in a letter dated July 13, 2016, the agent, Denise Vista, Esq., requested
that the public hearing date be rescheduled to September 12, 2016 due to unavailability;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board sets Monday, September 12,
2016 at 6:01 p.m. for a Public Hearing regarding the Site Plan entitled "Verizon
Wireless Communications at Orient Point", prepared by Neil Alexander Macdonald, R.A,
dated March 1,, 2016 and last revised May 23, 2016.
James H. Rich III: Second.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 16 August 8, 2016
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Martin, seconded by Jim. Any discussion? All in
favor?
Ayes.
Motion carries.
********************
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Chairman Wilcenski: 6:02 p.m. - Terp Retail - This proposed Site Plan is for the
demolition of an existing 2,108 sq. ft. building and the construction of an 81' x 68' (5,537
sq. ft.) building with five (5) retail stores where there exists a ±10,000 sq. ft. retail
building on 1.35 acres in the Hamlet Business Zoning District. The property is located at
28145, 28195 & 28205 NYS Route 25, ±130' n/e/o Griffing Street & NYS Route 25,
Cutchogue. SCTM#1000-102-5-3, 4 & 9.6
Chairman Wilcenski: At this time I would like to open the podiums up to anyone that
would like to address the Board on Terp Retail. Please direct your comments to the
Board, state your name and write your name for the record.
Patricia Moore: Good evening Board, my name is Pat Moore, I'm the attorney for the
Mr. Terp, I also have Mr. Pinzino who has been the lifelong attorney for Mr. Terp, and
we are working here as co-counsel. Just to start out, to make it very clear, we have this
application for 5 units, 2 units which are the existing building right now, has the
pharmacy and the dentist office, and we hope that they will continue to be tenants in the
new building. So we are really just looking at just 3 additional retail spaces, since we
already have 2. The new building will be in more conformity with the setbacks. As you
know, the Code requires a 15 foot setback. The existing building is at 2 feet from the
property line. We did go to the Zoning Board because in order to have the 2 buildings
connect and begin at the same line, due to the overhang, we needed a setback
variance. The Zoning Board heard our application; they decided to leave it open so that
there would be coordinated review with the Planning Board. So, we hope that in the
long run, that this will expedite the review process and bring two agencies into
conformity and benefit the applicant. So, as I said, the existing building is at 2 feet of the
property line and the proposed building will be set back. Many of the Town, the Town as
well as residents, participated in what was called the Hamlet Studies that studied
existing commercial development in the HALO Zone. What is being proposed here is in
conformity of the Hamlet Study and the discussion at the Hamlet Studies, which was to
encourage a walkable hamlet. The way that this project has been designed is to
continue the interchange and the connection between the parking area, the storefronts
on the existing building, the deli and the beauty shop and so-on with the new retail
space. So we want to promote the continued walking of the Cutchogue Hamlet area.
Also, in the Hamlet Study, there was a suggestion of building design to include
traditional and compatible building materials and color that has been done here, roof
Southold Town Planning Board Page 17 August 8, 2016
design to include dormers and pitches to compliment the adjacent property. Again,
that's being proposed here. With respect to the parking lot, I know you've received
some commentary regarding the parking. For the record, I'm sure the Board knows, but
for the audience that may not know, the municipal parking lot here is actually the Terp
property. When the original building was proposed, the Town wanted to lease for a
parking area to benefit the entire hamlet and Mr. Terp, for$1.00 a year, leased the
property to the Town. So, in fact, the whole community has benefited from a municipal
parking field for $1.00 a year. That is to continue until the lease expires in the year
2023, possibly beyond that if negotiations again continue. At the time that the lease was
negotiated, it was anticipated that this development would occur. In fact, when the
original proposal was made for the corner building, there were discussions about this
Phase 2, but at the time, it seemed appropriate and actually in hindsight was a correct
thought because here we are many years later and just now Mr. Terp is pursuing the
development of the second phase. As you know, there is going to be development by a
condominium complex should it actually be built out, The Heritage, and that will certainly
support and encourage additional development within the hamlet area. Cutchogue has
stayed, for the most part, pretty much the same. This will remove an existing retail
building and the new building, again, we hope will add to the services within the hamlet
as well as add to the character of the hamlet. Mr. Terp believes that he's provided a
very good design and the architects are also proud of their design to make for a
comprehensive, well thought out development plan. I know that you received comments
from the Fire Department and they have raised no firematic concerns and I would
reserve the right to respond to any comments that may be brought up. I'll wait to hear
what those comments are. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board on the
Terp Retail proposal?
Adelaide Amend: Good evening, my name is Adelaide Amend and I am-
Chairman Wilcenski: Excuse me. I'm sorry, could you just pull the microphone down
so you can be heard a little better?
Adelaide Amend: I'm sorry, I am a resident of Cutchogue. I have been a resident of
Cutchogue since 1947. 1 am the Vice-President of the Board of Directors at The Old
Town Arts & Crafts Guild, commonly known as the Guild. The Old Town Arts & Crafts
Guild is a non-profit, community oriented, arts promoting, volunteer 501 c3 organization
that began in Cutchogue in 1948. The Guild's first home was in a historic cape-style
house at 28230 Main Street; its second and present home is another historic building
across the street at 28265 Main Street. Both of the Guild's homes have been in
centuries old buildings whose colonial architecture is emblematic of the Cutchogue
Hamlet. In its testimony before the Zoning Board of Appeals, The Guild opposed the
variance required to construct the proposed extension of the existing building in the
Terp Retail Center. The Old Town Arts & Crafts Guild, Inc. is appearing today to register
its concerns about the commercial development proposed in the heart of Cutchogue,
known as the Terp Retail Center, as it has done before the Zoning Board of Appeals to
Southold Town Planning Board Page 18 August 8, 2016
oppose the variance this Site Plan requires and before the Architectural Review
Committee to address issues related to the architectural review standards in the
Southold Zoning Code. While the Guild has come today to discuss many issues of the
Terp Retail Center Site Plan that are brought forth in the plan, let there be no confusion
about the Guild's intention. The Guild does not oppose development of the 3 Terp`
properties, what the Guild opposed is the character, size, height and proximity, traffic,
parking, environmental impact, elimination of the municipal parking lot and the impact of
the combined buildings on Cutchogue's landscape and scenic corridor along Route 25.
The Guild's western property line is the eastern boundary of the Terp properties, so we
will be discussing the repercussions of this expansion, as presently conceived, will have
on the Guild as well.
Our local government is in the process of finalizing a Comprehensive Plan that will
guide future development of the ten hamlets comprised in the Town of Southold. These
overarching principles in the Comprehensive Plan must drive the Planning Board's
analysis of the Terp Retail Site Plan. Will construction of the Terp Retail Center
preserve the community's character and small town charm? Is construction of the Terp
Retail Center consistent with the equally important goal that commercial development
should proceed at a fairly small scale at keeping with the small town character of
Southold, and will construction of the Terp Retail Center help to maintain a high quality
of life, protect the environment, particularly ground water and surface water quality and
quantity and the unique character of the community? In each of these respects, the
answer is a resounding no, yet in a letter dated March 23, 2016, the Planning Board
informed the Zoning Board of Appeals that it supported the variance being requested
because the building location would maintain the street walk. Two: the location of the
building will support the community character of the Cutchogue Hamlets historic
buildout. The placement of the building close to the roadway, with adequate sidewalks,
achieves pedestrian flow and building form indicative of the historic build out of the
hamlets. Three: the building location will not impede pedestrian flow over existing
sidewalks.
The Planning Board owes our community more than a terse form letter. Quite clearly the
Planning Board's March 23rd opinion was premature and issued without regard to the
principals referenced in the Comprehensive Town Plan mentioned above. Considering
the description of the Hamlet of Cutchogue in the Comprehensive Plan, there is no way
the Planning Board could have concluded that the expansion proposed for the existing
building at the corner of Griffing Avenue and Main Road supports the community
character of Cutchogue. Extension of the existing building will permanently alter the
character of Cutchogue Hamlet.
Let's begin with character of the proposed extension. The plans described this as an
extension of the existing retail building, designed in the same 1980's architectural style
and connected by a roof overhang and a covered walkaway. We have a drawing which
you will see, this drawing of the Terp Retail Site Plan Application for the Main Street
side of the proposed extension, because the visual similarity of the 2 buildings, the new
construction is being marketed as harmonious and in keeping with the community. On
Southold Town Planning Board Page 19 August 8, 2016
the contrary, by removing the distinctive small retail building and replacing it with 5
uniform stores having matching facades, windows and doors spanning the length of 180
feet, the symmetry transforms the appearance significantly. There is no diversity in the
design elements for the 5 new retail stores, notably the size and arrangement of the
doors and windows of the second floor dormers and the overhang, the faux brick veneer
and the tiny prefab windows and doors to be used in the extension do not harmonize
with, and are inferior to, the real brick used on the existing structure and the large,
wooden frame, big pane windows in the existing building. The overall monotony to the
proposed structure lacks character and individuation. In short, the extension transforms
a 6 unit retail center into an 11 unit mini mall.
Character of the community with half of its acreage in agriculture and 1/3 of its acreage
in residential housing, the Cutchogue Hamlet is a small town with small buildings but for
the commercial area at its eastern end that is disconnected from the Hamlet Center and
the industrial part north of County Road 48. Cutchogue is predominately scenic and
rural and these views of the western entrance show- you will see those in a minute -
driving eastward, down the hill into the hamlet of Cutchogue past the designer show
house, the Village Green, Cutchogue New Suffolk Library - it is simply antithetical to the
nature and the character of Cutchogue's community to be greeted by a massive 14,280
square foot strip mall like complex. Located at the intersection of Main Road and New
Suffolk Road, the Terp Retail Center stands in the heart of Cutchogue. To refer to this
expansion merely as an extension of the building at Griffing Avenue, purposely deflects
from the reality that the combined building will consume the space between Griffing
Avenue and the intersection of Main and New Suffolk Road's, which is the heart center
of the hamlet. The Comprehensive Plan states that preserving farmland and farming are
important to the future of Cutchogue, as is historic preservation and making sure new
commercial development is at a scale consistent with the small town character of the
Hamlet Center. A strip mall is not in keeping with the small town nature of this
community or any of the other commercial frontages on the Main Road. Recall that the
Comprehensive Plan notes that Cutchogue has retained its small town charm because
its businesses have repurposed existing buildings, rather than tearing them down and
building anew, which is evidence in the enclosed photographs. Thank you for your time
and your patience.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Did you sign your name? If you'd like to speak, you
can go to the other podium or wait there; that's fine.
Benia Schwartz: Is this hearing for the Site Plan or for SEQRA?
Chairman Wilcenski: Excuse me, you have to be heard from the microphone. If you'd
like to speak, you can go to a podium.
Benia Schwartz: It's just a point of order, there are a lot of people presenting and I
want to make sure they know the topic.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 110 August 8, 2016
Chairman Wilcenski: This is not for SEQRA. We have a young lady that is ready to
speak. You can get up to the podium next.
Marion Wipf: The young lady must have left, but thank you. Good evening, my name is
Marion Wipf, I am a resident of Cutchogue, I've lived here for over 30 years. I am the
treasurer of the Guild and a member of the Guild's Board of Directors. I am deeply
troubled and very disappointed that the proposed extension of the Terp Retail Center
would destroy the character of the Cutchogue Hamlet because it is so vastly out of
proportion to the small buildings, small town nature of our hamlet.
I would like to address two aspects of the proposed construction. First its size: Care
must be taken when evaluating the impact of the existing retail building consisting of 6
stores, in combination with the proposed extension consisting of 5 stores, because the
combined buildings will appear much less overwhelming when viewed from a
perspective perpendicular to the Main Road than it does when viewed from a
perspective parallel to the Main Road. When viewed perpendicular, the length of the
existing building along Main Street is moderated by the length of the Griffing Avenue
side, giving the existing building some degree of proportion in an "L" shaped
configuration. Adding 81 feet in length to the 68.8 feet in length of the existing building
will elongate the existing building to an extreme. The 149.8 feet combined expansion
will nearly equal the length of the King Kullen Grocery Store which exceeds the Terp
Retail Center by about only 40 feet with the proposed extension more than doubling the
size of the building that is presently on the corner of Griffing Avenue and Main Road.
It is inexplicable how the Planning Board could justify its support of this Site Plan by
saying that the building will maintain the street wall, and that the construction of this
building will support community character of the Cutchogue Hamlet Center historic build
out. Cutchogue's Main Street is not made up of walls, as the buildings directly across
the street from it reveal. This Site Plan urges the construction of this additional retail
space because it will be an extension of the existing building, designed to be in
harmony with what is there already. Construction of the existing structure was so out of
character with the small town, small buildings nature of our community when it was built
in 1985, that to pedal this as a justification for making it even more gigantic some 30
years later, is simply retrograde thinking.
Next I would like to speak about the extension's height and proximity to the Guild. We
have a drawing that we've submitted of the east side of the proposed extension of the
Terp Retail Center. A significant design feature that should not be overlooked is the
solid brick wall and excessively high roofline that will stare west bound travelers in the
face as they drive from Depot Lane to New Suffolk Road. The proposed 68.7 feet solid
wall of faux brick veneer without windows, without doors, or other design elements will
be a serious blemish on Cutchogue's landscape. The Site Plan shows a second floor to
the proposed extension, yet the plan says nothing about what its function will be. For
now it is referred to as an attic. In the existing building, at least one tenant uses the
second floor as office space. If there is no plan to utilize the second floor as additional
Southold Town Planning Board Page 111 August 8, 2016
commercial space for rent, then certainly the height of the extension can be lowered to
bring it more in line with the other buildings surrounding it.
The proximity of this 5,573 square foot, plus 30 foot tall, two-story commercial building
with a 68.7 foot solid blank eastern wall, a mere 12 feet from the Guild's western
boundary, will impede the visibility of the Guild to travelers coming east on Main Road
and block off the Guild's light and air. The building the Guild owns has a 35 foot setback
from Main Road, the Guild has signage in front of its building to call attention to the
Guild's gallery and shop. Without drawings on the survey or Site Plan of the buildings
on the adjacent properties, the proposed extension cannot be evaluated in context. With
the proposed building ending a mere 12 feet from the Guild's western property line, both
the visibility of the Guild and its signage will be seriously impeded. The lack of sightlines
to the Guild will discourage potential customers, and as a result, sales will plummet,
jeopardizing the continued existence of The Guild, plus my volunteer job as the
Treasurer. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you for your comments. Yes.
Paula Heppner: Good evening, my name is Paula Heppner. I am a resident of
Cutchogue. I've lived here for the past 6 years and have been a resident of the North
Fork for the past 19 years. I am a member of the Board of Directors of The Old Town
Arts & Crafts Guild. I am speaking in opposition to the Terp Retail Application because it
is so inconsistent with the nature of the Cutchogue Hamlet and will result in an
undesirable change in its landscape and a loss of services to its residents.
Let me begin by speaking about the traffic. The Terp Retail Center provides more than
commerce to a hamlet. It provides seriously needed parking as a result of the lease that
the Town negotiated with Terp. The municipal lot is heavily used throughout the year.
As the next door neighbor to the municipal lot, the Guild can speak about how important
preservation of the municipal lot is for this community. The municipal parking lot serves
as a variety of users and the fluctuation in the lot usage is evident seasonally and at
peak hours of the day. Until a 12 month traffic study is done, the Planning Board cannot
determine, in any meaningful way, what number of spaces are needed for the
customers in the 11 Terp retail stores and the people who use the municipal lot to visit
the Guild and other nearby business, or to park and take mass transit. The Planning
Board must undertake a traffic study of the municipal lot's usage by all of its patrons in
order to determine how much parking is available for these dual uses.
Turning to the matter of traffic congestion, demolishing the existing store, containing a
pharmacy and a dental office, which totals 2,079 square feet, and replacing it with 5
retail stores,'now we've heard that 2 are already there so it's only an increase of 3,
however, that increase will double, double the square footage of the space and will
substantially increase traffic entering and leaving the municipal lot from Griffing Avenue
as well as at the intersection of Griffing Avenue and Main Road. Entering and
maneuvering within the entrance lane to the municipal lot, and it is the only entrance
I
Southold Town Planning Board Page 112 August 8, 2016
lane I point out, is already compromised by the reduction of the minimal isle width from
22 feet to 16.5 feet due to a previously approved, non-conforming use exception.
The present plan provides for four parking spaces on the east side of the existing
building, which will leave insufficient room for that building's loading dock, without
protruding out into the 16 '/foot entrance and exit,lane. In the sections of the
Comprehensive Town Plan that our Cutchogue specific residents and stakeholders
pointed out, that in the Hamlet of Cutchogue, the "most pressing issue is with traffic
congestion on Route 25, traffic safety at intersections and pedestrian safety, particularly
along Route 25", the parking lot for the Retail Center, as I said, has one point of access
and that is on Griffing Avenue through that 16.5 foot isle. The traffic generated by the
addition of the retail stores will only contribute to this problem, not alleviate it.
One consequence of approving this Site Plan will result in the elimination of the
municipal lot. As a result of the 20 year lease negotiated in 2003 between the owners of
the Terp properties and the Town of Southold, the 38,250 foot, unimproved parking area
became a paved, public parking lot. While the Town may have paid a dollar in rent, the
Town also paid for paving to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars and also
there are tax benefits going to Mr. Terp as a consequence, so it is not just a gift in
generosity that we are talking about here. The private parking lot once reserved for
customers of the Terp retail business was no more. The municipal lot provides year
round parking for neighboring businesses with no on street parking, such as the Guild.
We have no on street parking. We are right at the traffic light. It provides overflow
parking for the post office's customers and employees. It provides access for
commercial trucks making deliveries and picking up garbage and two hour, all day and
overnight parking for commuters, car poolers and day trippers who ride the Jitney or the
County bus. The commuters and day trippers are not short term, transient parkers, like
shoppers. They cannot buy a space for a whole day or overnight. In fact, under the
terms of the Town's lease spaces, 48-53 in the northwest corner of the property are
specifically designated for overnight parking, so how will the municipal lot disappear?
This is how-the current municipal lot has 70 parking spaces allocated, according to the
statutorily required intervals of 9 feet. Based on the representation that these 5 new
units will be only rented to retail businesses, the Town Code requires 1 parking space
for 200 square feet of gross floor area, with gross floor space of 14,290 square feet for
the combined buildings. 72 parking spaces are needed to accommodate these 11 retail
stores; that is 2 more spaces than are presently available. The calculation of the 72
spaces does not take into account the use of the lot by municipal patrons, or if the
second floor of the extension is rented, the parking needs of those occupants. If all of
the available parking is allocated to customers of the retail businesses, the municipal lot
will effectively be converted for private use 7 years before the end of the lease. If the
municipal lot is eliminated, the clear message to the surrounding businesses, including
the Guild, and the residents of Cutchogue and New Suffolk, will be that the municipal lot
was simply expendable.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 113 August 8, 2016
Now let's look at the parking situation. There is insufficient available parking to
accommodate a retail center of this size. As presently configured, the municipal lot
contains 15 spaces that will be eliminated if the Site Plan is approved. These are the 3
handicapped parking spaces behind the building to be demolished, and 12 spaces of
the southeast quadrant of the property between the Guild and the pharmacy, south to
the bus stop on Main Road. You'll see them in the photographs. Without these 15
spaces, the number of parking spaces decreases from 70 to 55. These 15 spaces are
critical to meeting the municipal parking needs of the neighboring businesses and the
overnight and day parkers using the public transportation and they should not be
eliminated.
As the North Fork becomes more populated and a destination for weekend getaways,
the Planning Board should be expanding parking for mass transit users, not reducing it.
I might add, that in that lease, you will look at Section 5.01 and discover that Mr. Terp
did reserve the right to expand his building as his attorney said, however, if you look at
the addendum, the attachment, the drawing, you will see that the amount of extension
that was theoretically agreed to in that lease, does not expand as far as this document,
and this drawing, and in fact retains the 12 spaces that I'm talking about, and the 3
spaces that I'm talking about. Those are the ones that are now being wiped out by this
extension and replaced by some grass and some bushes. These spaces are critical to
the Guild's operations. Let me tell you why. The Guild's gallery and shop are open daily
and on weekends. It hosts both indoor and outdoor fundraising events and shows
several times during the year. Unlike the other stores in the Cutchogue Hamlet, the
Guild does not have on street parking in front of its building on Main Road, or across the
street at the former bank. These spaces are used for customers and volunteers who
staff the Guild. They are used by artists and craftspeople to load and unload their
display racks, tables and items for sale. They cannot do this out in front of the building
on Main Road. If they were forced to do so, by using the Guild's miniscule parking lot
which can only accommodate 2 vehicles entering and leaving at the same time, the
traffic would be backed up along Main Road and the resulting bottleneck would be
insufferable. If parking is not allocated to the municipal lot, patrons - people will park at
their own risk in the spaces reserved for the retail stores and possibly get ticketed.
In order to meet the required number of parking spaces, I would also say that 72, that
magic number, 2 spaces were obtained by closing off egress from the Guild's parking
lot into the municipal lot and cutting off access to its handicapped ramp. There is a
photograph in our papers of that and one space was obtained by counting an area that
is actually clearance for the carting company to empty the dumpster. It also appears
that several new spaces were created by drawing the parking intervals in an 8 foot
width, instead of the mandatory 9 foot width. This I think would be an ADA violation. The
Planning Board should not permit the deviation from the minimum parking stall width in
order to achieve the required number of parking spaces for this expansion.
Next, I'd like to speak about parking egress, and that brings us back to the lease again.
For 30 years, the Guild has had an easement allowing cars to exit from the Guild's
parking lot into the municipal lot. There is a photo of that in your papers. The existence
Southold Town Planning Board Page 114 August 8, 2016
of this easement is memorialized in Section 3.01 a of the 2000 lease between the Town
of Southold and the owners of the Terp properties. It specifically prohibits the installation
of any permanent parking curbs that would inhibit or impede passage along this
easement on the eastern boundary of the Terp property line for a distance of 12 feet.
Nonetheless, the Site Plan shows a solid curb running the length of the eastern
boundary along the Terp property line. The accessible entrance to the Guild's gallery
and shop is located just inside this point of egress. Neither the survey nor the Site Plan
acknowledge or honor the existence of the Guild's easement. The Site Plan and the
survey calculating 25 parking spaces along the eastern boundary of the Terp property
include the 2 spaces that would block the Guild's egress to the parking lot. The Guild
asks that the Planning Board uphold the terms of the Town's lease in granting the Guild
access to the municipal lot. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anyone else like to speak? You can step to
the podium, state your name and write your name for the record and direct your
comments to the Board.
Bob Kuhne: Good evening, my name is Bob Kuhne. I am a full time resident of New
Suffolk for the past 30 years, I am the President of the Board of Directors of The Old
Town Arts & Crafts Guild. I want to discuss with you some of the environmental impacts
associated with this Site Plan. First, signage. The photo in your packet, in Section 4,
documents that the Guild's signage in front of its building is 17 feet from the Main Road,
which complies with the required setback in the Zoning Code. With the proposed
extension of the Terp Retail Center ending a mere 12 feet from the Guild's western
property line, its length, height and proximity will seriously compromise the visibility of
the Guild's sign and impair its ability to advertise itself. The lack of sightlines to the Guild
will be deterrent to potential customers in finding the Guild and, as a result, will have a
negative impact on sales.
Though, at no fault of its own, should this plan become approved and this variance
granted, the Guild would be forced to incur significant expenses for a survey, lawyer
and architect, to apply for a variance to move its sign closer to the road in order to be
seen. This expense should not be forced upon the Guild; it should be borne by the Terp
Retail Center and should be made a requirement of any approval of the Site Plan. The
Site Plan is silent about how these 5 additional stores will be advertised, what size and
where the signage for advertising these 5 new retail stores will be located. With only 6
stores in the existing building, as shown on one of the photos in your packet, the Zoning
Board of Appeals in 1968 gave permission to erect a 23 foot sign, "with insignificant
setback", to advertise those businesses. The ZBA's decision on May 28, 1967, the sign
was characterized as being of excessive height. The justification given by the ZBA for
approving a sign exceeding the limits of the Zoning Code was, "so that it would be
visible to passing traffic". The Guild's sign deserves to be no less visible. With this
precedent for erecting a non-conforming sign, it is not unreasonable to anticipate a
similar request will be made to advertise the 5 new retail stores. Where the new signage
will be located is another serious concern of the Guild. Surely authorization cannot be
given to erect a sign of compatible size and height on the east boundary of the Terp
Southold Town Planning Board Page 116 August 8, 2016
Retail Center adjoining the Guild's property. The Guild takes no position, the Guild takes
position that no additional signage should be permitted because the current 23 foot sign
at the corner of Griffing Avenue and Main Road, if reconfigured, would offer significant
space to advertise all 11 stores.
Next, I'd like to address issues related to water quality and waste management. In
Section 4 of the Addendum, entitled Area Variance Reasons, it states, "the variance will
not have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or environmental conditions in the
neighborhood because the proposed development would be connected to public water".
This addresses only one aspect of the area of concern. That is where the water will
come from, not where it will go. The Site Plan indicates the proposed extension will be
hooked up to the existing waste water system and drain field. The Guild does not
believe the existing waste water system on the Terp Retail Center's property is situated
at the required distance, 150 feet, from the Guild's well which is located 20 feet from the
Guild's western property and is directly east of the existing waste water system in use
on the Terp Retail property. The Guild is concerned about whether the sanitation, sewer
disposal systems, waste water management and water supply connections are safe,
satisfactory and capable of handling the increased demand located significantly far from
an existing well to avoid contamination and in compliance with all health codes. How
the second floor of this extension will be used is another factor that will have an impact
on what the waste water management needs of this proposal are.
The Guild has serious concerns about what the destruction to the Guild's operations will
be. The Guild is open for business 7 days a week for 9 months of the year and soon
hopes to be open year round. The Guild's outdoor space is used for arts & crafts shows
during weekends throughout the summer.
Two conditions will render the Guild's outdoor space undesirable and is likely to reduce
the number of artists and craftspeople willing to take space at the Guild's shows. They
are first the stockpiling. The Site Plan indicates that topsoil shall be stripped and
stockpiled for use in the final landscaping, the materials to be reused during the
construction will be deposited in a topsoil stockpile, some 8-10 feet in length and up to
35 feet in height, approximately 16 feet from the Guild's front property line. This topsoil
stockpile must be relocated away from the Guild's property. Second, riprap behind the
stockpile. The Site Plan indicates a 24 foot by 50 foot riprap construction entrance will
be installed immediately adjacent to the Guild's property line. Routing demolition trucks
and construction vehicles along this property will block the Guild's egress from the
parking lot. Exhaust fumes spewing from idling cement trucks, demolition vehicles will
impair the air quality and create unacceptable health hazards. Plugging the Guild's
egress from its parking lot with trucks during the construction creates a fire hazard and
runs afoul of the fire department requirements for access. The lane for construction
vehicle access must be rerouted.
Again, the Guild does not want to stand in the way of the owners of the Terp properties
from undertaking construction that will increase the profitability of their property;
however, the Guild does not want to become a casualty in this process. However, we
Southold Town Planning Board Page 116 August 8, 2016
urge the Planning Board to send this back to the drawing board for creation of the
building more appropriate in size and in keeping with the character and design of the
community, one that does not require a front yard variance. One that the existing
parking lot will support, one that provides sufficient parking for its patrons of the
municipal lot as well as the patrons of the retails stores. One that does not impair or
impede the visibility of the Guild, one that preserves the Guild's egress from its parking
lot into the municipal lot and protects the safety of the Guild's well and water quality.
Finally, because construction of the extension of the building will involve, of necessity,
reconstruction of a substantial portion of the existing buildings roof in order to connect
these two structures. Under New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code, would
that not require the Building Department to commence an investigation to determine
whether any aspects of the existing structure, built in 1985, should be brought into
compliance with the current building code?
Again, thank you for the opportunity to address this Board and submit these remarks for
the record.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board on
Terp Retail? Yes?
Nancy Mueller: I am a resident of Cutchogue. My name is Nancy Mueller and I've lived
in Cutchogue for about 25 years. I just wanted to point out that Cutchogue is really a
little hamlet, made of little individual buildings and that the Guild has pointed out that it
doesn't really fit at all to have something that is more in the character of a Tanger Mall
sort of like structure. And when we take charm out of a little town, it doesn't ever come
back and I'd like to point out Mattituck. It's an unfortunate example of that. Love Lane
was not bulldozed when the rest of the town was sort of made into a large modern sort
of whatever and as a result people go to Love Lane and it's extremely charming and
there are lots of very viable stores. People don't go to Tanger Mall because it's
charming, they don't congregate there; they don't spend time there. They go there
because there's a deal to be had or something. They go there quickly; they leave right
away. And in the past, Cutchogue has been really wonderful about keeping the charm
of the town. I think the library that's been converted from an old church was brilliant.
think the Cutchogue Diner is unique and completely with its own charm. I think that the
use of the buildings, the architect who bought the building and refurbished it and made it
into an office did a just beautiful job. I think, Bob, when he built his hardware store made
it completely an integral part of the town. And as much as Karen's -we've gotten used
to it; there's some nice plantings, but to double that kind of construction, I think, would
be a shame. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board?
Lauren Grant: My name is Lauren Grant. I'm a resident of New Suffolk. Thank you for
the opportunity to speak; my statement is brief. Please say no. We are going to have
enough additional traffic in the small village of Cutchogue resulting from the Heritage.
The number of stores in the village is fine as it is; there is a 7-11 in Cutchogue and a
Southold Town Planning Board Page 117 August 8, 2016
large supermarket in the form of King Kullen. We have 2 drug stores, too many real
estate offices and plenty of sundry stores. We do not need more stores to create more
traffic. The reduction in available parking in a parking lot leased to the Town at a
generous rate of$1, but at what cost? The Town has spent hundreds of thousands of
dollars repaving the lot that was in risky condition to begin with and at no cost to Mr.
Terp.
I would also be interested to know what other deals were worked out, such as the future
green light to enlarge the existing building and have more unoccupied stores, which no
one needs, and with no place for cars to park in order to enter them. Many of us came
to speak to the Planning Board about the Heritage and poured our hearts out thinking
that we might be able to make a difference only to find out that a deal had been made
and all of our words were for naught. This is a horrible feeling in a town like Southold.
This is another bad deal for Cutchogue. Please say no to Mr. Terp.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. I would just like to comment on one of your
comments, that everyone's input is not failing on deaf ears. Would anybody else like to
address the Board, please?
Barbara Schnitzler: Hi, Barbara Schnitzler, Old Harbor Road New Suffolk. Good
evening, there are many regulatory issues that have already been discussed very well
by speakers here and I believe that Planning Staff and the Planning Board and the
County Health Department will make sure that this project meets all the regulatory
criteria. The property owner clearly has the right to build stores on his property. The
problem with this proposal is that it's just too big. 15,000 square feet is a really big
building in a small hamlet. We also note the attic space will, could potentially be, just
like the existing part of the building. This is the same roof line, same space, clearance,
windows. We know that the potential for developing the second floor exists and is in
effect here in the existing building.
So, the proposal should be amended to reflect that additional square footage, to
honestly describe how big this project really is and the required parking and septic
loading should be changed to accurately reflect the actual square footage and the
additional uses on the second floor. If the second floor is eliminated, the building could
look smaller, its roof ridge could be lower and there could be a lot less roof. This is
important because we can see what the proposed roof looks like. We don't have to
guess; it's in existence already. The roof on the Griffing side of the building, they're
proposing this to match the materials and the height is the same, a huge brown asphalt
shingled roof. The arcade, the proposed 180 foot long arcade, is too long, except
maybe if you are at a mall. The plan shows 14 brick veneer columns in a line along our
Main Road. It's hard to imagine these dimensions, except as a tunnel that one walks
through, but this arcade will not be used for strolling. Sorry it will not add to the
walkability of the town because this is how it's being used.
This photograph is from the Main Road and this photograph is on the Griffing Street
side, showing how the arcade is being used, not for walking. The east elevation, people
Southold Town Planning Board Page 118 August 8, 2016
have spoken about it already, too big, too blank, 65 foot long wall with not one window
in it. Because it sits so close to the road and adjacent buildings are set back, it will be
the most prominent view as you drive west along the Main Road, what the town has
designated a scenic corridor. The proposed materials, brown asphalt roof, aluminum
windows, brick veneer, all to match existing —so, again, there is no guessing about
what this building will look like. You can see it already built; it won't look anything like
the rest of Cutchogue or any other hamlet. The Southold Town Comprehensive Plan
which has been written by your staff in house over the course of years and "was written
in collaboration with the residents and other stakeholders through an unprecedented
number of public input meetings", it lists as a goal, "to ensure future development in the
Cutchogue Hamlet Center is at a scale consistent with the historic hamlet's character."
A town wide goal of the Comprehensive Plan is #7, protect the character of the town.
It's up to you, with professional input from the Architectural Review Committee and your
Planning Staff, to determine if this proposal for the Main Road is the right fit for our
community and I thank you for your consideration.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board? Yes,
sir?
Joe Polashock: My name is Joe Polashock, I am a resident of New Suffolk and have
been since 1948. 1 am not going to beat on everything that has been said here. A lot of
people have made really good comments and remarks. The only thing that I'd like to
say, again, this is all going to become a quality of life issue - traffic, noise, pollution. As
a representative and Vice-President of the New Suffolk Civic Association, I don't think,
can say with surety that we are not in favor of any further traffic, noise or pollution,
which I feel this is going to probably generate. I think there has to be a lot more thought
in to how these things, this area and others, have developed - not just this one in
particular. Thank you for your time.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you, anybody else?
Linda Auriemma: Good evening, my name is Linda Auriemma. I am a resident, a full
time resident, of New Suffolk for the past 4 years, part time for 30 years. I am not
affiliated with the Guild, but I am a very dedicated member of the Cutchogue-New
Suffolk Historical Council. What bothers me the most about this project is that, as we
said, Cutchogue is a small town, small buildings and we already have something that
really was a mistake and they want to expand upon that. It's mind boggling to me. I'd
like to give you a flyer, which I have other copies if any would like to see it. At the
bottom is shows all the nice, quaint, small, simple buildings that we have in Cutchogue
already and, at the top, is the Terp building which now wants to be expanded even
further. Nancy Mueller, whom I don't know, mentioned the Cutchogue Hardware Store.
When that was built in the 1990's, I thought, gee, what a great thing to build a building
that looks like it's been here over 100 years, but you know, I never really appreciated
what they did until I learned about this project. I actually went into the store and I said,
you know, I really have to thank you for doing what you did. You could've done
Southold Town Planning Board Page 119 August 8, 2016
something horrible and ugly and cheap and you didn't, and thank you; I thank you for
doing it.
So, please make this right. Two rights don't make a wrong here. Don't let them expand
it and make, what everybody says and its true, is a mail. It looks like a mall. Tourists
don't come to our town to drive through the North Fork to look at a Tanger Mall type
view; they are here to see small, quaint little towns and villages. By expanding this, it
will be ruining Cutchogue. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else from the floor like to address the
Board?
Patricia McIntyre: Hi, I'm Patricia McIntyre. I live in New Suffolk. I'm a full time resident
of New Suffolk. I am speaking very briefly as a member of the Scenic Byways Advisory
Committee and also a past member of the Hamlet Stakeholders. Yes, I was on
Stakeholders for New Suffolk but we did talk across groups and we met with each other
frequently. One of the things that New York State lists all of Route 25 in Southold is as
a part of the scenic byway. It's listed on the New York State Department of
Transportation site and it's called the North Fork Trail. That's a very important part of
our tourism aspect, a friendly tourism aspect of Southold Town. From the Hamlet Study,
what they wrote in there was that the Cutchogue Hamlet's most important, pressing
issue was congestion on Route 25 and also pedestrian safety. I know in recent years of
at least 2 fatalities right there, one right in front of the old pet store; a woman got hit,
was right by her car, got hit and died several days later. Another man, I want to say just
last year, a man crossing right by Griffing Street also got killed. That's two I personally
know about; I probably missed a few. I think it's a serious traffic and pedestrian safety
issue. Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board? Step
to the microphone.
Benia Schwartz: Good evening, Benja Schwartz, Cutchogue. Still not sure exactly what
this public hearing is about. There's at least, you're playing two roles here. You are the
lead agency, I believe for the SEQRA. Is that correct?
Chairman Wilcenski: The SEQRA has not been done yet, but yes, we are the Lead
Agency.
Benia Schwartz: I would hope that the SEQRA was done at the beginning of the
process not after everything else. So, this is about the Site Plan then. We've heard a lot
about the character and, as a preliminary comment, I'd just like to agree that the historic
nature of Cutchogue and Southold Town on the North Fork, the anchor industries of
farming and fishing, really depend on a perception and a reality of open space and the
proposed building would close the entire length of the north side of the Main Road in
Cutchogue. It seems like he is basically proposing to build every square inch of his
property, other than the parts which he's already leased to the Town.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 120 August 8, 2016
Speaking of the lease to the Town, I believe there was an issue that came up about a
lease to some of the tenants in the existing two store building that is proposed to be
demolished. I believe one of those tenants has a 10 year lease with an option to renew
for another 10 years, hasn't exercised the option yet; there's something like 14 years left
on that. I believe, as a tenant, he has property rights that should be respected and
hope that this Board will recognize those property rights as a tenant and not permit
demolition of a building that is already leased out. That may be a decision that this
Board has to make, but I would like to see that that decision is considered and that a
decision with reasoning is put into writing and made express, that's regarding the lease
to the tenants in the building.
The other lease that we've heard something about already this evening is the lease to
the Town. Contrary to some of the implications, especially by the attorney for the
proposed developer, that this was a gift to the Town in exchange for $1 a year; that's
not what happened. Are you familiar with the other parking area that's involved in this
situation? The one on the west side of the northwest building, mini mall- that existing,
the current building? Well, I went on Google Earth and you can see the park after the
property was, the ownership of the property transferred to the Town. I don't know
exactly how that happened but the Town put a park along Griffing Street, from the Main
Road to the back of the existing building; there was a nice long park. Mr. Terp sued
Southold Town and it was only in connection with the settlement of that suit that Mr.
Terp offered a lease to the parking on the rest of the property, behind the buildings. The
park was reduced to about 1/3 of the original size, just up on the Main Road, a little tiny
pocket park and then the diagonal parking along Griffing Street, which kind of makes it a
little frightening just to go to the post office.
In negotiating the lease, I have a memorandum here from the then Town Attorney's
Office to the Town, that Mr. Terp wanted to negotiate this lease, that he was hopeful
that negation of this lease could be a positive step towards resolution of the issues to
permit settlement of the litigation regarding that park. By the way, what he sued for is he
wanted that park to revert back to parking, instead of to be a park for people to enjoy
and have a little bit of nature in the heart of Cutchogue Hamlet. He wanted it to have
parking, so he could have people parking right in front of his store. Now that is a public
parking lot. The parking lot that is being leased behind his stores is a public parking lot
but the only signage that I could see is a sign that says "P". Maybe its restrooms, I don't
know. Then there is a sign that says "P" with the work "Parking" under it on the north
side of the Main Road, but there is no sign at all at the entrance to the parking lot and,
in fact- well, we'll get into that a little bit later-the settlement proposal from Mr. Terp
included the language A. J. Terp to have easement rights to extend present new
building to east border of property line, so that's what he wanted, but then we have to
look at what he got. The lease says that the lease is agreed pursuant to the plan
annexed here to as Exhibit A, which each party hereto has signed and dated, proved
upon plan in Exhibit A is hereby incorporated by reference into the lease. Never mind
that Mr. Horton was the only one that signed Exhibit A. Mr. Terp never got around to
signing it. There's a provision in Section 5 of the lease, notwithstanding this lease or
Southold Town Planning Board Page 121 August 8, 2016
anything to the contrary herein, owner reserves the absolute right to extend the existing
buildings on his real property as depicted by the shaded area in Exhibit A. So, we look
at the shaded area in Exhibit A, and it extends to approximately 24 feet from the east
property line.
Now we look at the proposed new building and it expands to 12 feet from the east
property line, so he is proposing to build on property which is currently being leased to
the Town. We shouldn't be here today. This application should've been denied when it
was reviewed by the Building Department. I've spoken with the Building Department on
this and they didn't know anything about the lease and they didn't know where you
could get a copy of it, but I found it in the Town's Laserfiche system. It wasn't easy to
find it there but I found it. Town Attorney's Office also told me they didn't know where
the lease was or anything about the lease. That was maybe a month or two ago.
Yesterday, I spoke with the Town Attorney and he confirmed that there was a lease, but
he told me that the lease permitted the proposed expansion and I told him I would
review the lease further and that I wasn't sure that was true. In reviewing the lease, it's
clear that at least one corner of this building is being built on property that doesn't
belong to the applicant. The occupancy of that property is - the public is entitled to that.
Also, on Exhibit A, we see the entrance to the Crafts Guild - the exit from this parking lot
into the Crafts Guild - and also we see that the entrance behind the current building,
existing, it's supposed to be an enter only, so maybe we need another sign there
because I see people going in and out all the time. The Town hasn't put up one sign. I
don't think we need a lot of signs but you would think that Josh Horton would've wanted
to take credit for providing a public parking lot, but maybe he didn't deserve it. The
original proposal from Terp was for a 10 year lease with 10 year extensions renewable
at the option of the Town, presumably for as long as the Town wanted to, although there
was something there about how much it would cost the Town when it came up for
renewal. What ended up happening, the Town improved and paved the entire property
and now with 7 years left in the lease, the 20 year lease, we're 13 years in to the 20
year lease, so we got to use the parking lot for 13 years but now they plan on tearing
half of it up and putting this building there. They are not just tearing up the part where
the new building is going to go, but also behind the new building to a considerable
distance and none of that is in the shaded area.
So, I would ask that this Board consider dismissing this application and if the applicant
sees fit to submit another application, I would like to return at that point and speak about
some of the issues that previous people have presented to you already here tonight.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you very much. Anyone else? Would anybody else like to
speak to the Board with regard to Terp?
Nancy Sawastynowicz: Good evening. Nancy Sawastynowicz. My family has been in
Cutchogue for 100 years. I remember the Cutchogue Variety Store which fit into
Cutchogue town, which Mr. Terp tore down. It was a quaint little village. Now I don't
even go there because I am afraid of being either run over or I can't get out of the
Southold Town Planning Board Page 122 August 8, 2016
streets. It's horrendous now. To add this shopping mall is so out of character with our
town. I look at this and I can't believe that we even have to go this far. You should just
say no, it doesn't fit, like OJ Simpson. Its beyond, beyond what we can put into
Cutchogue Village. It has no character; it's really horrendous. is a shopping mall with
no character. I love our town, I would like you to say no to this project and on the form,
before the ZBA, they didn't even fill out Number 7, "is the parcel within 500 feet of a
farm operation?" It wasn't even completed and when applications aren't completed they
are usually corrupt and I would like you to take a serious look at this project and say no.
Thank you.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you. Would anybody else like to address the Board? If no
one else is willing or wants to speak to the Board, can I have a motion to close the
hearing?
James H. Rich III: I make a motion to close the hearing.
Martin Sidor: Second.
Chairman Wilcenski: Motion made by Jim, seconded by Martin. Any discussion? All in
favor?
Ayes.
Motion carries.
Chairman Wilcenski: Thank you all. Your comments are recorded and they will all be
taken into account and they are on record. The second public hearing we have tonight
is the Estates at Royalton and I am recusing myself from this application. I will turn it
over to Vice-Chairman, Jim Rich.
Vice-Chairman Rich: 6:03 p.m. - The Estates at Royalton - This proposal is for a
Standard Subdivision of a 36.9 acre parcel into 12 lots where Lots 1-11 equal 0.7 acres,
and Lot 12 equals 12 acres, located in the A-C Zoning District. This subdivision includes
15.2 acres of open space and 1.7 acres for a proposed road. The property is located at
55 Cox Neck Road, approximately 490 feet north of Sound Avenue, Mattituck.
SCTM#1000-113-7-19.23
Vice-Chairman Rich: Anybody wishing to address the Planning Board on this project
please step forward, state and sign your name.
Steve Libretto: Steve Libretto for the applicant. How are you tonight? Just real quick -
as you know, we've had the public hearing in the preliminary stage and nothing has
really changed to our plan. As far as we are aware, we don't have any contention to our
plan at this point and we would ask the Board to move forward with the approval and
close the hearing tonight.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 1 23 August 8, 2016
Vice-Chairman Rich: Thank you. Anybody wish to address the Planning Board on the
Estates at Royalton, please step forward, state and sign your name.
William Cremers: I make a motion to close the hearing.
Martin Sidor: Second.
Vice-Chairman Rich: Motion made by Bill, seconded by Martin. Any discussion?
Opposed? All in favor?
Ayes.
Hearing is closed.
APPROVAL OF PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
Vice-Chairman Rich: The last order of business is for the Board to approve the
minutes of: July 11, 2016.
Martin Sidor: So moved.
William Cremers: Second.
Vice-Chairman Rich: Motion made by Martin, seconded by Bill. Any discussion?
Opposed? All in favor? `
Ayes.
Motion carries.
Vice-Chairman Rich: I need a motion for adjournment.
William Cremers: So moved.
Martin Sidor: Second.
Vice-Chairman Rich: Motion made by Bill, seconded by Martin. Any discussion? All in
favor?
Ayes.
Motion carries. Good evening.
Southold Town Planning Board Page 124 August 8, 2016
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jessica Michaelis
Transcribing Secretary
Donald Wilcenski, Chairman