Civic Association Sues Town Over Wading River Development Approval

The Riverhead Neighborhood Preservation Coalition has filed a lawsuit against the Town of Riverhead after the Planning Board approved a proposal by developer Kenn Barra to build a commercial complex on Route 25A, according to a statement from the civic association.

The proposal, called "Knightland," would include a new shopping center with 32,518 square feet of retail and a nearly 5,000-square-foot restaurant at the corner of Sound Avenue and Route 25A. 

“The proposed Knightland Mall is arguably the worst of the retail projects as far as its location and its ability to transform the area into a regional shopping destination, something few who actually live in this currently quiet, small hamlet want to see,” said RNPC President Dominique Mendez.

The suit argues that the Planning Board lacked the authority to approve the project because the proposal doesn't conform to current zoning laws. The suit also states that the Planning Board must consider Knightland in relation to nearby projects in Wading River and the effect it might have on the neighborhood.

"Not only does the Knightland Mall plan violate zoning but, by failing to study the cumulative impacts of this project along with the growing list of other projects, the Town left us no choice but to challenge this outrageous approval,” Mendez said in the statement. “What is the point of the current corridor study if game-changing projects like Knightland are to be approved before the study is even completed?”

Town Attorney Robert Kozakiewicz said the town hadn't received notice about the lawsuit yet and couldn't comment on the suit without seeing it. Town Supervisor Sean Walter and Barra's attorney could not be reached for comment.