Discussion on Microbrewery Adjourned

A discussion amongst zoning board of appeals members about that would be sited at an almost-100 year old abandoned schoolhouse on Sound Avenue has been adjourned until August 9.

The matter was adjourned because the ZBA did not have a quorum at its Thursday night meeting -- ZBA member Leroy Barnes recused himself.

Dominique Mendez, president of the Riverhead Neighborhood Preservation Coalition, Inc, said that the business plan presented to the ZBA is "fluff. What it does make clear is that they want to serve beer and food, and have music, parties and events that clearly could produce plenty of noise and traffic. Though they do cite an intent to stay open limited hours, we can have no confidence that they won’t extend those hours — and any restrictions the ZBA might impose are meaningless unless there’s strict enforcement, something for which this town is not known for."

The proposal has incited some resistance from community members in its earliest stages.

According to the concept business plan presented to , the principals would invest a minimum of $300,000 to build a microbrewery that would include a tasting room, which would be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and fom 11 a.m. till 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The brewery, according to plans, would be family friendly and would include the standing tasting bar, and two additional rooms. One room would include small tables and chairs for a "light food area" that would sell snacks; another counter would offer gifts and souvenirs for sale.

The second room would be used for the brewing production area; educational presentions would be given. Classes and students would be invited from local schools.

Outside, the plan calls for exterior gardens with small tables where guests would be entertained by a piano player or jazz group -- the patio would be available for visitors' special use in season, for birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions.

Seasonal events including hay rides, pumpkin picking, fall festivals, Easter egg hunts, pony rides, and children's events -- with special permits required in advance.

Attorney John Ciarelli, representing property owner John Reeve, Jr., said the concept for McCarthy's On The Green, Inc., presented by principals Tim McCarthy, of Lake Grove, and George Greene, of Wading River, who would rent the space, as a microbrewery, is a use consistent with ag-tourism. He said the business would be allowable under a pre-existing, non-conforming use.

Another alternative, he said, is that a special permit be granted to exchange one non-conforming use for another.

The application has been nixed in the past by the town's planning department because the parcel is smaller than what is required by town code to support an accessory agricultural use.

Ciarelli said "reasonable conditions" would be imposed. Another alternative, he suggested, would be to establish an agricultural production use on a non-conforming lot.

The concept has sparked fears amongst some neighbors concerned about a microbrewery on Sound Avenue.

"It’s hard to imagine that the young man who runs McCarthy’s Pub in Centereach actually wants to have all these agrotouristic family events at this place, but it sure makes it sound more appealing to the average guy," Mendez said "I mean, hay rides and pumpkin picking: do they forget that there’s no farm there? Where are they going to do this? This glorified bar/restaurant will surely dump a lot of inebriated patrons onto this rural historic corridor and does not belong on our bucolic Sound Avenue, nor in the agricultural protection zone of this town. It belongs downtown."

Georgette Keller, president of the Jamesport/South Jamesport Civic Association and founder of the Save Main Road organization, said, "Until the ZBA determines whether the pre-existing, non-conforming use is continuing or whether it lapsed makes a difference here," she said. "I hope the town does its due diligence before making a decision," she said.