Environmentalist Speaks Out on Wading River Zoning

Just in time for primary day Monday, at least one environmentalist is calling on Riverhead town officials to enact new zoning that would put the brakes on commercial development in Wading River.

A press conference has been organized on Friday by Dick Amper, president of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society, to urge officials to consider enacting zoning that would restrict retail development west of Wading-River Manorville ROat on Route 25A, just as it has done to the east.

Amper, who said he lives near Wading River, wrote a letter to both town officials and those running for office, asking that multi-family professional zoning that was adopted last year for 25A east of Wading River Road be extended west, “to control unsupportable increases in retail development in the rural hamlet.”  

Currently the property is zoned business commercial rural.

Amper said support for the concept has also been expressed by The Group for the East End and the Riverhead Neighborhood Preservation Coalition.

Dominique Mendez, president of the RNPC, agreed. "The fact is the Town Board still left far too much land zoned for retail in Wading River. Having failed to rezone two key parcels to the east, the only remaining option is to rezone parcels west of the main light. We urge the town to honor the goals and intent of the Wading River corridor study, its economic analysis, and the undeniable will of the people to keep the hamlet of Wading River from being overrun by stores we don’t need," she said.

“We want current and future town officials to complete the job of creating zoning that is appropriate to the small town character of the hamlet,” Amper said.

 “Election time is always a good time to get politician’s attention,” he added.  

Amper added that he was speaking as a neighbor and has not endorsed anyone for town office.

Do you agree that new zoning should be adopted that would restrict commercial development west of Wading River Road on Route 25A? Share your thoughts in the comments section.