State Supreme Court Judge Tosses Suit To Block Expansion at Great Rock

A state Supreme Court justice dismissed a lawsuit by seeking to block an expansion at the Great Rock Golf Club in Wading River, stating that the litigation was premature since the Town Planning Board hasn't reached a decision on the proposal.

The suit, filed by the Riverhead Neighborhood Preservation Coalition and several Wading River residents against the golf club and the town, argued that the 7,200 square-foot expansion couldn't be approved because the Planning Board lacked jurisdiction to review or approve because it relies on a zone change, which that board cannot grant.

The suit also sought a ruling preventing the Riverhead Town Board from granting the expansion on the grounds that it is prohibited by covenants and restrictions put on the land years ago.

Judge Paul Baisley wrote in his decision that there is no application currently before the Town Board and that the lawsuit's claims of potential damages was "purely speculative."

“[The petitioners'] submissions fail to establish that their claims cannot be adequately addressed by a proceeding to review the Planning Board’s determination after it is made,” Baisley wrote.

RNPC president and co-founder Dominique Mendez said the group would continue litigation against the town and golf club if the proposal was approved.

“This was not unexpected and we are fully prepared to file a follow-up action in the event the Planning Board tries to approve the proposal,” Mendez said. “The judge’s decision simply postpones the determination about the fate of the project. The RNPC will continue to work on the current planning study for this corridor, so that land use appropriate to the rural character of the hamlet is preserved.”