Riverhead Officials Cancel Agritourism Resorts Hearing, Plan Forum

RIVERHEAD, NY — Riverhead residents have galvanized on social media, urging that a crowd turn out at a scheduled public hearing regarding potential rezoning that could allow for agritourism inns and resorts in the area north of bucolic Sound Avenue.

After the outcry, Riverhead Town officials sent out a message Thursday that a public hearing regarding Chapter 301, "Zoning and Land Development," related to proposed specially permitted uses, agritourism inns and resorts in RA80 zoning use districts, scheduled to take place August 20,6:05 p.m., has been cancelled.

Instead, a public forum is now planned for Wednesday, September 18 at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall boardroom.

"In response to the unusually high volume of opposition and commentary received by all members of the town board — whether that be emails, calls or texts — regarding the topic of agritourism inns and resorts, some of which may reflect a misunderstanding of the intent and/or extent of the proposed change, Supervisor Tim Hubbard and the entire town board have agreed it would be beneficial and productive to host a public forum on the subject. Rather than simply add the topic to an upcoming work session — wherein members of the public cannot engage freely with town board members and/or planning staff — the forum format is intended to foster dialogue so that all sides of the issue can be freely discussed," town officials said.

The proposed zoning would allow for agritourism inns and resorts on no-less-than 100-acre plots of land north of Sound Avenue; 70 percent of the land would need to be preserved with only 30 percent allowed for the resorts, according to the potential plan.

The Greater Jamesport Civic Association, which has sounded a rallying cry with the "Save Sound Avenue" initiative in the days before the initially scheduled public hearing, reflected on the cancellation of the hearing.

"It's disappointing that the town board postponed the opportunity for residents to speak out on this critical rezoning issue, but the board's action today is a sign that they are finally listening to the residents, whom they were elected to serve," Joan Cear of the Greater Jamesport Civic Association told Patch. "Residents don't want commercial hotel and resort development on Sound Avenue and this proposed rezoning should not be considered outside of the comprehensive plan update, which is still in process. Unfortunately, the town has failed to address much of the input residents have provided on the comp plan, with the agritourism resort zoning being just one of many issues that residents have voiced strong opinions about during the comprehensive plan update hearings."

The group has been urging residents to make their voices heard.

"Riverhead Town residents may not be aware of the issue or the risk that the proposed rezoning presents to the scenic beauty of our area and its rural character," said Greater Jamesport Civic Association President Laura Jens-Smith. "Town council members are promoting the proposed code revision as a farmland preservation tool but have presented no proof, no data, to support the claim that hotel development along Long Island Sound will preserve more farmland and open space than the current two-acre residential zoning. This proposed rezoning would open the gates for the potential development of more than 2,000 hotel rooms on Sound Avenue."

The Greater Jamesport Civic Association said they believe that commercial hotel development does not belong on Sound Avenue and "would destroy the rural charm of the area and the very reason that people want to visit here and live here. Furthermore, the proposed code revision does nothing to help preserve the Sound Avenue Scenic and Historic Corridor that was created by the State Legislature in 1975."

A change.org petition, "Save Sound Avenue! Oppose hotel & resort development. Preserve our farms and rural charm." has garnered 923 signatures so far.

In addition to in-person attendance at the public forum, residents can view the forum on Channel 22, via livestream on the town's website or via Zoom, with credentials to be posted on the town's website, in advance of the forum.