Zoning That Would Green Light Family Community Life Center Heads For 2nd Hearing

Despite an outpouring of community support in recent months from residents, business owners and elected officials — and some concerns raised by the Riverhead board of education — zoning legislation that would pave the way for the proposed Family Community Life Center is headed for another public hearing.

The proposed complex, planned for almost 20 years by the First Baptist Church of Riverhead, encompasses a 68,830 square foot "community benefit district," including a community pool, media center/theater, a 24-hour childcare facility, a senior citizen wellness and day care center, and a sports and recreational compound. In addition, the plan calls for 132 one- and two-bedroom apartment units to frame the center complex, that would be used for workforce housing.

The facility would be sited on a 12-acre Northville Turnpike site owned by the church.

An outpouring of support came from all corners of the community during the first public hearing, as the Riverhead town board considered passing legislation for a new overlay zoning district that’s needed before the project can move forward.

At that hearing, Riverhead BOE President Ann Cotten-Degrasse raised concerns; she said while she and the BOE had no problem with the project or with the zone change, she was opposed to the project being tax-exempt.

The district, she said, has been shouldering the burden of the two percent tax levy cap, and with a loss of 50 teachers over the past three years, DeGrasse said the district was pushed to the limit.

On Thursday, the town board, at their weekly work session, discussed whether they felt the legislation for the proposed zoning was ready for a vote.

Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter applauded the efforts of Rev. Charles Coverdale and his wife Shirley, as well as all involved in the project, for the support they garnered at the first public hearing and for "moving things along."

Riverhead Town planning and building administrator Jeff Murphree read letters from Dominique Mendez from the Riverhead Neighborhood Preservation Coaltion and realtor Larry Oxman.

Mendez raised concerns about the zoning and suggested adding language that stated the minimal acceptable amount of recreational and community used required, which she said, was not spelled out currently.

The project, Rick Hanley, town planning director, would need the overlay district and a special permit to proceed.

Councilwoman Jodi Giglio raised concerns, stating that currently, only one other parcel besides the one discussed for the FCLC project could benefit from the proposed zoning.

Councilman John Dunleavy said additional properties could qualify if the suggested 800 foot frontage suggested in the legislation was lowered.

"I have a big problem with that," Councilman George Gabrielsen said. "Where did you get 800 from?" 

Dunleavy agreed, saying it sounded as though the legislation was written "specific" to the proposed FCLC project. "Things could be changed to give us more of an opportunity to put the zoning someplace else, too," he said.

Councilwoman Jodi Giglio raised her concerns, and said she would suggest eliminating the need to connect to the town's sewer district.

Walter said he would not support that idea, because it could lead to such large-scale projects springing up in communities such as Jamesport.

"Do you want these large-scale projects in your hamlets?" he asked. "This limits it to areas that are more densely populated, central to commercial shopping districts."

Mendez wrote that she'd like to see a 50-foot, rather than 25 foot, vegetative buffer, and an environmental analysis as required by law; Mendez asked for another public hearing.

Oxman, in his letter, Murphree said, asked exactly how many other parcels in Riverhead currently would be eligible for the zoning, also raised concerns about the 800-foot of frontage, and said he'd like a study of traffic impacts. He also asked why the project must be served by the Riverhead sewer district — and suggested ownership be considered, not just rentals.

Dunleavy said he did not think the town could afford the influx of tax-exempt individuals and said affordable housing already existed in Riverhead.

Wooten said the goal was to discuss the zoning, not the specific project.

Giglio cited her list of issues, and said she believed the 800-foot frontage requirement should be removed. In addition, she said she thought the number of units was "too intense," and suggested payment in lieu of taxes should be required for offices or commercial interests. The definition of workforce housing should be changed, she said, to mirror Suffolk County's. Transfer of development rights should be purchased only from Riverhead Town, she said.

Walter took a survey to see who would vote for the legislation as it stands; Giglio, Gabrielsen, and Dunleavy said "no." 

The board decided to hold a new public hearing incorporating the suggested changes, and said the hearing will be noticed and likely held beginning of January.