Residents Turn Out, Again, To Protest New Hardware Store Plan

MATTITUCK, NY — Once again, a crowd of unhappy residents turned out last week to protest a proposed new hardware store on Main Road and New Suffolk Ave. in Mattituck some say could cause major traffic concerns — and prove deadly for pedestrians.

The meeting, held at the American Legion Hall on Wickham Ave. on Jan. 28, was hosted by the Mattituck-Laurel Civic Association — another packed event organized by the MLCA on the issue was held at the Mattituck Presbyterian Church in Sept. 2017 — focused on a plan by the family-owned Brinkmann Hardware, which has locations in Sayville, Blue Point, Holbrook and Miller Place, as well as a paint store in Jamesport, to close the Jamesport paint shop and open a new paint and hardware store at the Mattituck intersection.

According to MLCA President Charles Gueli, 89 people attended the meeting; at the event, past MLCA President John Carter and former Mattituck-Cutchogue School District Superintendent Anne Smith were present to discuss the project.

In the past, residents have raised issues including environmental and traffic concerns, the belief that the project would not conform to the immediate surroundings, and the effect on already existing hardware stores in the area, Gueli said.

Although there was talk last year that Suffolk County and Southold Town would team up to purchase the land for parkland, even making an offer to BNB Bank, the bank, already in contract, sold the property to the Brinkmanns for $700,000, according to the MLCA.

Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski, in an interview after the meeting, said the county followed standard procedure, initiating two independent appraisals to establish fair market value.

"We did make a fair offer but for whatever reason, the bank did not accept the offer," Krupski said.

However, he added, if the new owners are interested in pursuing preservation, "Suffolk County is certainly interested in making an offer." That being said, because so much time has passed, the whole process would need to begin again.

At the 2017 meeting, the Brinkmanns described the proposal for the 1.775 acre, hamlet business zoned parcel, which will feature two buildings that total 20,000 square feet, 80 parking spots, meet greenspace and Suffolk Health County requirements, and is sited to maximize solar gain.

The building on the left is planned as a 12,000 square foot hardware store, with the 8,000 square foot building on the right including 3,000 square feet in the front for paint and 5,000 square feet in the rear for storage.

Egress, the Brinkmanns said, will be on New Suffolk Avenue, a pronouncement that has sparked contention amongst residents.

Because the project totals 20,000 square feet, the plan will require a special exception permit from the Southold Town zoning board of appeals; Gueli said the MLCA board met to decide what they could do, and Smith was approached to help spearhead a committee.

At the most recent meeting, Smith laid out plans to get other organizations to work together to resolve the situation.

Smith said she's reviewed the MLCA’s Mattituck plan, which was submitted to the town on March 3, 2018 and said she believes that the document and Southold Town's comprehensive plan are "aligned and have good intent," and that the parcel is key to allowing many of the other aspects of the proposals outlined in the document to take place.

Smith said she believed a small group should be created to monitor happenings as the project moves through the town's process. A second group, she said, could help with fundraising, reporting, and determining how to achieve the objective of a community park, rather than a retail structure, the MLCA explained.

When asked about the town's position after the meeting, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said the proposed hardware store is a pending application before the planning board so he could not comment specifically.

"However, public hearings will be held by the planning board and the ZBA, so I would encourage the public to attend those to have their voices heard," Russell said.

At the meeting, resident Jean Schweibish asked about whether it was appropriate to try to meet with the Brinkmanns to convey the concerns of the community — especially because the project affected everyone on the North Fork, and there were members of other community civic groups in attendance, who expressed concerns.

Carter said any group with interest in the topic was welcome to join the debate.

Phil Barbato from the Riverhead Neighborhood Protection Coalition commented that the applicant had to show that the zoning exception wass needed because there was a hardship to the applicant without it, and he believed the owners would "have a hard time" doing so, Gueli explained.

Robert Harper asked if the idea of utilizing Community Preservation Fund monies to buy the property back had been considered; Gueli said it had, and Smith added that support and time were needed.

Others said they would not patronize the store, that another hardware store in the area was not needed — and another resident said the owners should consider an already existing, empty building located west of the proposed site.

Issues such as traffic were raised; others said the MLCA should point out that information gathering has been underway for years, with residents expressing the wish for a park or village green at the location.

Lynn Summers said propane tanks sited outside Brinkmanns’ other stores are "ugly and dangerous", and said one shouldn't be allowed in Mattituck. Summers, who has been on the North Fork for 48 years, said she believed the issue symbolzied a defining, pivotal moment for the North Fork.

Debbie O'Kane, of the North Fork Environmental Council, mentioned that the NFEC is bringing civics together to work on the issue and offered her collaboration with any effort made by the MLCA.

Others said that the hardware store could mean a precedent for other, new commercial development; Gueli pointed out there are no big box stores in town and the hope was that the landscape would stay free of such large-scale businesses.

Russell pointed out that the town limits square footage for businesses to 10,000 square feet. Russell also said that an economic impact analysis is required for any commercial structure of the proposed project's size, which is separate from the state's environmental review process — he said the project was just at the first step.

The supervisor said he believed the town would prefer to buy the property without utilizing the Community Preservation Fund and added that the funding the town had previously set aside to buy the property would remain available indefinitely.

The town board has the same concerns as the community regarding the property and all options are on the table for addressing the situation, Russell said.

Time is of the essence, all agreed.

The Brinkmanns did not return a request for comment Tuesday.

However, at the 2017 meeting, three representatives of the Brinkmann family asked the MLCA if they could come to discuss the proposal; siblings Mary Neimeth and Hank and Ben Brinkmann, as well as architect Ray Nemschick, were onhand for a presentation and question and answer session.

Pat and Tony Brinkmann, who "started with nothing," opened in 1976, in a 1,200 foot store in the Carvel shopping center in Sayville, relocating in 1982, and later purchasing a building a 3,000 square foot building in Sayville, the Brinkmanns said.

The business expanded in 1986, the Brinkmanns said, and today, with four stores and the paint shop in Jamesport, the company has more than 70 employees and benefits, the Brinkmanns said.

In addition to offering propane filling stations at all stores, the Brinkmanns have unveiled net zero energy retailing, with "buildings that produce more energy that they consume," they said.

Solar panels on the roof produce 100 percent of power; the buildings feature geothermal HVAC and LED lighting, as well as white cool roofs, they said.

A special exception was needed to build the 12,000 square foot building instead of a 6,000 square foot structure as of right, Brinkmann said.

Those in attendance spoke passionately against the location for two hours.

"That corner is already a nightmare for people coming in and out and to have an entrance on New Suffolk, with traffic backing up. . .there are no words to describe how bad it will be," resident Linda Gallo said.

The issue of a traffic light came up. Brinkman said if a traffic study indicated that a traffic light and righthand turning lane was necessary, the family would pay the cost. The audience, however, denounced a traffic light idea.

Site not included in current traffic study

Then-MLCA President John Carter said the current traffic study underway did not include a provision for development at that site.

Denise Geis asked if the family would consider a smaller, more appropriate size for the parcel.

"The reason the store is proposed at the size it is, is we feel we need to be competitive going into the future," Brinkmann said. "Big box stores have grown larger and with that growth and online retail competition we need to have a sizable shop with options."

Mattituck Chamber of Commerce's David Perrin asked about projected revenue and what kind of numbers were being discussed.

The Brinkmanns said the store is planned to be "roughly twice the size of Orlowski Hardware," with twice the traffic.

A steady stream of residents stood to cry out about traffic at a site that is already treacherous. 'What's going to be done to keep it from being even more dangerous?" one woman asked.

The Brinkmanns said their goal is convenience, with all parking on-site. Residents countered that shoppers would invariably walk across Main Road from Love Lane at an intersection that's already seen deadly accidents.

Others asked about the propane tank; the Brinkmanns said it's 1,000 gallons and sits off to the side and front of the parcel, not near an apartment currently next door.

Many other residents asked why the Brinkmanns didn't consider one of the empty buildings that exist in Mattituck, such as the Capital One building in Mattituck, or a site on Route 48.

The Brinkmanns said the Main Road location was preferable for visibility. True Value, they explained, does not get involved with site selection.

Doris McGreevy asked about new jobs. The Brinkmanns said in addition to the two employees who'd come from the Jamesport store, there would be 25 new team members hired.

Cathy Simicich said the community has been waiting years for a turnaround on Route 48 and Cox Lane. "Depot Lane can't get a left turn" arrow, she said. She asked why the three thought they'd be able to solve traffic issues when the other problems have existed for years.

Many asked why the area needed a new hardware store with shops already located in Mattituck, Jamesport, Southold, Greenport and Riverhead.

The Brinkmanns said their new business model is to consolidate and add hardware to paint stores.

"It's clear we're not happy about your large store coming into our small community," Elise Martini said. "Do you really care? Will that change your mind? Does this change anything about the way you feel?"

"We wouldn't be here if we didn't care," Brinkmann said, adding they requested the meeting by choice, to speak to the community.

And, he added, while, "This room is filled with concerns, our project has been very well-received throughout Mattituck." He said he had no doubt the store would do well, and said the larger store would mean residents wouldn't have to make the trip to Riverhead in high-traffic summer months.

The crowd did not agree — with a steady stream standing to speak out in support of the local hardware store.

Others said people come to Mattituck to escape the "hubbub" of other areas; now, traffic concerns are mounting, and some said they'd been in accidents at the proposed location.

Donielle Cardinale noted that residents "didn't seem overly keen" on the plan and asked why the Brinkmanns didn't consider another location, perhaps in Jamesport.

Brinkmann said they looked for more than a year for the spot. "We didn't just land on that corner. We had to find a site that met all the requirements. We've done extensive work," he said.

Others said the addition would mean traffic backed up for miles, especially during pumpkin season when traffic is already an issue.

"Do any of you live out here?" Angela McKenna asked.

The Brinkmanns said they are all from the Bayport and Sayville areas.

"The traffic out here is horrendous. You couldn't have picked a worse place to try and put something like this. This is not the right place," she said.

Others questioned why a 20,000 square foot retail space — the first in Southold Town — was necessary, with the square footage of both buildings larger than the CVS in Mattituck, they said.
"Why do you need this on Main Road?" they asked.

"Main Road exposure is better for us. You don't want this on a side street," Brinkmann said.

Others asked about the frequency and timing of delivery trucks, and whether those trucks could navigate the turn off Main Road and into the parking lot.

When asked about what they'd be bringing to the community, the Brinkmanns said in addition to new jobs and eliminating the need to drive to Riverhead, the business would increase the tax base and bring $40,000 to the Mattituck-Cutchogue school district.

"That's not enough," one man said.

Others asked if it would be a "dead deal" if the Brinkmanns did not get their special exception.
Brinkmann said they would not open in a 6,000 square foot space. "We see no reason why we would not get" the special exception, he said.

"I'm sorry you have to face this hostility," one woman said. "We're not against Brinkmann Hardware, it's the location. You have to understand our anger is larger than you and you are kicking a hornet's nest that is already in this community. It's the location you have chosen that's the problem."

One woman, who was a stakeholder on the Mattituck hamlet study organized under former Town Supervisor Josh Horton, said the recommendation for that parcel was "retail for human scale," including clothing or a small scale shop for a walkable community. "You are coming in with a concept that's very different. If you really want to be a good neighbor you would consider one of the empty buildings."

Brinkmann said big box stores are closer to 150,000 square feet, not the 12,000 square feet of the proposed main hardware store.

"We understand this is good for you," one woman said. "But the question is, 'Is it good for us'?"

Another woman added, "This is very much a question of the heart. We are concerned about people who already have stores here. Some of them are struggling. They have kids in college. If you saw them close, what would you say to yourselves?"

"Everyone here is pouring their hearts out. But there's a feeling that this is a done deal; you feel confident you'll get the special exception," one woman said. "Is there anything we can do to stop you?"

"Boycott!" another resident called out.

"Why would you be here if we don't want you?" a woman asked, adding that if they chose a more suitable location, residents would follow to shop there. "This is a tight-knit community. We take care of our own. Why are you digging your heels in here?"

"People who are trying to cross that street to get to you are going to die," another resident said.

At that 2017 meeting, Southold Town Councilman Bob Ghosio said the project "is not necessarily a given" and the Brinkmanns will have to go before the planning and zoning boards for their requested special exception.

Patch photo of the 2017 MLCA meeting by Lisa Finn.