Sparks Fly Over Proposed Pike Street Development Plan

MATTITUCK, NY — Edward Broidy, a developer with a plan to demolish a two-story dwelling in Mattituck and create a multi-use, five unit commercial building on Pike Street, was seeing red at Monday's Southold Town planning board work session.

Broidy expressed his unhappiness with the process so far; he first submitted the application to the planning board in March, 2015, and told the board Thursday he was upset about what he called "mis-justice."

Broidy railed against the planning board staff, saying they had rejected his sketch plans; he also said his application had been held up by the illness of a planning board member.

After he blasted the planning board, Southold Town Attorney Bill Duffy fired back: "You can't say that the board did something unjust — or say things that are legally false," he said. "I'm not going to allow you to make comments about this board that are inaccurate."

Broidy, who also owns the building next door to the proposed project, said he just wanted to "start on a level playing field, without a filibuster."

Duffy said he would end the meeting if Broidy continued making inaccurate claims about planning staff.

"I want to work with the board," Broidy said.

"It looks like you don't, based on the way you're acting," Duffy said.

Planning board chair Donald Wilcenski reminded Broidy that his application for Olde Colonial Place LLC, located at 615 Pike Street in Mattituck — which called for the demolition and construction of the commercial building, with no basement and 21 parking stalls on 0.5 acres in the hamlet business zoning district — was denied because "you didn't have sufficient parking for the size of the building."

"Whether you want to believe it or not, this board denied your application without prejudice on Sept. 12," Duffy said.

Wilcenski said Broidy would have to submit a new application before the plan could be reviewed. "We're hoping you come in with a plan we can all accept," he said.

Broidy said again that he did not want to debate or "filibuster."

"You're filibustering right now," Wilcneski said. "This is what we went through the last time. You wanted us to design your building for you, and we can't do that."

The planning board, he added, accepts applications and plans and goes through the process, with referrals from all the required agencies, and then, if possible, moves forward.

"We told you over and over again that you don't meet the parking requirements," Wilcenski said. "You have to have plans for us that meet the town's parking requirements." When first discussed, Broidy was told that 38 parking stalls would be required for the plan to move forward.

Broidy said his prior plan "wasn't reviewed" and accused the planning department of not accepting the plan; he added that he just wants to move forward.

"We are moving forward," Wilcenski said, adding that the work session was a chance for Broidy to present new plans, once he submits a new application.

Once again, Broidy lashed out at the planning department staff.

"This meeting will be over the next time you start discrediting employees," Wilcenski warned.

"I don't want any of us to drink our own bathwater," Broidy said. "This thing should be received as it is here today."

"You are going backward," Wilcenski said. "This board denied your application without prejudice. Now, you are starting all over again, but you keep bringing up the past."

Broidy said his objective was to use his prior plan as a starting point.

Wilcenski said, again, that a new application was required.

Broidy then asked if the board would waive the fee for a new application.

"As an appointed board we can't control the monies of the town," Wilcenski said. Broidy, he said, could bring his request to the town board or the town attorney.

Broidy once again took the planning department staff to task: "I think the board has the best interest of the town in doing what they're doing, but I don't think the board is getting the right recommendations from the staff."

Wilcenski fired back: "There you go again. I'm going to protect the staff, because they're doing a great job."

Broidy asked again if the board would review his plan; Wilcenski said that was not possible without a new application. After a new application is accepted, the planning board staff will review, then the matter will need to be discussed at a future work session; another public hearing will be needed, Wilcenski said.

Duffy suggested Broidy review the comments of the planning board on his previous plans "and take that into consideration before you submit a new plan."

Broidy shook his head. "I know you mean well, but you're wrong."

"This is over," Wilcenski said, adding that the board had given him a half hour to explain his position.

"I gave you three years," Broidy said, but added he'd submit a new application.

During past discussions, Southampton resident Broidy has said he'd might consider retail, an art studio, a takeout food business, and dentist at the site.

When it was first pitched, Broidy's plan generated parking concerns amongst some Mattituck residents who said the hamlet already has serious parking concerns. His plan was one of the first issues discussed by the Mattituck-Laurel Civic Association, at its first meeting.