Scores Turn Out to Protest Jamesport Development; Board OKs Permits

After almost three hours of heated public protest, the Riverhead Town Board voted unanimously -- Councilwoman Jodi Giglio was absent -- in favor of two special use permits that would allow for bistros and professional offices at a 42,000-square-foot proposed development in Jamesport.

"You wasted a golden opportunity," said outraged resident Georgette Keller, president of the Jamesport-South Jamesport Civic Association.

"I'm really concerned about businesses on Main Street and parking," said Councilman George Gabrielsen, a Jamesport resident who said the project would help add parking to the hamlet. The project would also increase the tax base and add jobs, he said.

Stating that he did not want another strip mall, Councilman James Wooten said a mixed-use plan would have less of an impact than all retail.

"I don't think it's out of character for Jamesport," he said. "This is trying to create something palatable and sustainable."

The board voted in favor after additional conditions were added to the resolutions, including provisions to ensure that no site plan would be approved without the offer of a cross access easement agreement to properties to the east of the development; that an individual bistro would not exceed 2,000 square feet; and that individual bistros would provide food service with a waitstaff -- no fast food establishments. 

A group of residents opposed to the plan to develop land on Main Road in Jamesport .
And occupy they did, as residents lined the room, waiting for hours for their turn to speak out in opposition.

A group called "" has galvanized in recent months to focus on preserving the rural character east of Route 105. The group also met recently to discuss its .

The Riverhead Town Board was met with fierce opposition as they convened on Tuesday to consider a resolution to grant special permits for the project – located across the street from Cliff’s Elbow Room - which were submitted by Jul-Bet Enterprises in 2007. Special permits are necessary because current rural corridor zoning only allows for certain uses.

Concerns expressed by residents involved increased density, a change in community character, and fears over the spike in traffic new development would bring to Jamesport, traffic that might keep visitors in Greenport or Southold, spending much sought-after tourism dollars.

Keller, who also started the "Save Main Road" group recently, said the project would change the hamlet's character.

She asked that the name of the project be changed, that architectural standards be upheld, that research be done on what the average square footage for a 50-seat eatery would be, and that the topography of the land not be changed.

"It's part of our history that needs to be preserved, not bulldozed," she said, asking the board to wait before voting.

Matt Kar, who lives on Main Road in Jamesport and owns three pieces of commercial property said he respects property rights - but not special permits. "He should only get what he's entitled to -- nothing special," he said.

Audience members applauded Larry Simms of South Jamesport, who has helped Keller organize a petition in opposition to the project signed by 225 residents so far. He demanded to know why residents hadn't been made aware that the board had voted to accept the final environmental impact statement until it was a done deal in December.

The plan, he said, would result in more vacant commercial space and said development should be directed toward downtown Riverhead.

'I'm not considering office space for Main Street," Walter said. "That's a dead issue. We're not going to fix Main Street by putting gobs of professional offices in there."

Some residents said allowing a special permit would open the flood gates for similar requests.

"The residents of the town of Riverhead have the right to remain rural. Your environment is your economy,” said Mary Ann Johnston, president of the Manor Park Civic Association. “You forget that at your peril."

Walter said zoning was not being changed, that it was in accordance with the master plan, and that Jamesport board members including former Supervisor Phil Cardinale, Rose Sanders and Barbara Blass voted for the measure in 1987. "The only issue before us, and it's very narrowly focused, is whether a special permit should be issued for bistros and professional offices, because as of right they can have retail," he said.

"I think the mixed-use is a folly," said Elaine McDuffee, who asked the board if they'd rather live next to a retail store that closed at 6 p.m. or a bistro or club that closed at 1 or 2 a.m. "I would live near neither," he said.