Neighbors Raise Concerns Over Proposed New Retail Building On Cutchogue's Main Road

NORTH FORK, NY - Neighbors on Main Road in Cutchogue fearful their bucolic community could soon resemble a "strip mall" turned out for a Southold Town Zoning Board of Appeals hearing Thursday.

The ZBA had a request from Alfred J. Terp, Jr. for a variance; the application had received a notice of disapproval from the building department to construct a 5,573 square foot retail building, at less than the code required front yard setback of 15 feet.

The property is located 28195 Main Road, or New York State Route 25), on the corner Griffing Street in Cutchogue; the building currently at the site would be razed.

According to attorney Pat Moore, representing the applicant, the request is for a setback of five feet, to allow for an overhang similar to what currently exists next door at Karen's Country Delicatessen, located in a building also owned by Terp.

The plan would be to demolish the current structure, which houses a pharmacy and an orthodontist, and create a retail building with five shops, all the while maintaining the current character of the streetscape, Moore said.

The goal, she said, would be to further create a walkable downtown in the Cutchogue hamlet center.

ZBA Chair Leslie Weisman said the planning board had sent a letter in support of the variance so that the property would look similar to the building to the west.

Weisman also said a site plan was before the planning board, which had requested lead agency for the environmental review process. .

Neighbors raised concerns over parking; currently, Terp leases the property to the Town of Southold for $1 per year.

Ginger Mahoney, of the Old Town Arts & Crafts Guild, which sits just to the east of the building in question, asked that the variance be denied, citing parking concerns and the impact of the increased number of retail uses.

The new building, she said, could "impact that quality of the existing community;" the new buidling, she said is not in "harmony and keeping with the community and character of Main Road" and could resemble a 180-foot "strip mall."

Paula Hepner, on the board of directors of the Old Town Arts & Crafts Guild said the plan calls for a "drastic change in the intensity of use" on the land and expressed concerns over increased traffic, as well as parking issues.

She pointed out that the lot is not just a private lot but also municipal.

Bob Kuhne, president of the Old Town Arts & Crafts Guild, said the new two-story building, 24 feet high, could eclipse the Guild's building, with its 35 foot setback, and eradicate its visibility to potential visitors and clients it as they traveled on Route 25. "Our sales will plummet," he said. He also said a cut-through used by the Guild for egress could be blocked, leading to an increase in traffic directly onto Route 25.

Finally, he said the Guild's building was created in the 1800s and he had "grave concerns" over whether the foundation and structure could handle heavy construction and traffic nearby; he asked that the variance be denied.

New Suffolk's Barbara Schnitzler said the covered walkway would act as a "hard-edged" tunnel, with seating and tables outside. While she said she had no issue with Karen's having tables, "Let's call a spade a spade." The plan did not call for a walking community, she said.

She also said the 160-foot long expanse would resemble a strip mall. "There's nothing else of this scale in the hamlet," she said. "The impact is substantial."

Linda Auriemma, also of New Suffolk, said what disturbed her most was that the hamlet of Cutchogue is filled with historic buildings. "This doesn't seem to fit. This reminds me of Tanger."

Gail Toma, who moved to the North Fork from Southampton, urged the ZBA not to go the way of the "demise of the Hamptons." Subtle changes, such as a single variance, could cause a "domino effect" on the North Fork, stripping the area of its charm and "creating a suburb."

Attorneys for the applicant reminded that he graciously allowed the town to use the parking lot but he had no mandate to do so. The goal, Terp's attorney said, was to be a good neighbor.

The hearing was adjourned.