Home News Southold Town Government Neighbors just say ‘no’ to proposed electrical contractor’s yard in residential community

Neighbors just say ‘no’ to proposed electrical contractor’s yard in residential community

A crowd of neighbors turned out last night to speak out against a proposed electrical contractor’s yard they say would shatter the quality of life in their residential community.

Residents spoke out at a Southold Town planning board public hearing for ADF Ventures’ site plan for an electrical contractor’s yard and the proposed construction of a 64′  x 36′ building for storage and a bathroom with four parking stalls on 0.22 acres of land in the light industrial district; the property is located at 620 Corwin Street, on the southeast corner of Seventh and Corwin Streets in Greenport.

Bill Kelly, attorney for the applicant, began by saying he was there to address any questions.

Residents Michael Greene and Susan Smith, who harbor concerns about the proposed site plan, were represented by attorney Eric Bressler, who said the project requires “substantial” variances from the zoning board of appeals, which have been requested. He said he believes with the site plan before planning,  a parallel track between both the planning and zoning boards should not continue.

Bressler described the parcel as “vestigial. It’s standing out there pretty much by itself and it’s really, really small.” Without requested variances of almost 93 percent as requested, “you’re not going to get a building” there, he said. Questions remain about the environmental review process, traffic, lighting parking, noise, landscaping and safety; Bressler asked that the hearing be kept open until all issues were addressed with the ZBA, including setback concerns.

Concerns exist that the operation might be 24/7, he said, with trucks coming and going.

Community character, Bressler said, is in jeopardy. “This is just so out of character with the community,” he said. “Even if the ZBA grants some relief, we don’t think this thing works.”

One by one, neighbors blasted the plan. James Kennedy, who lives across the street from the proposed parcel, said the plans are “extremely out of character” for the neighborhood. A contractor whose business is sited in the “highly industrial” area of Islandia, he said the operation would be best suited for that type of locale. “I can’t imagine this happening in a residential neighborhood.”

Greene, who lives on Seventh Street with his wife and kids, said the neighborhood is filled with children walking to school, as well as foot and bike traffic.

“The first kid that darts out on a bike in front of a commercial vehicle and gets hit — there’s no getting that kid back,” he said.

“This property,” he said, is surrounded by well over 150 residential properties in a three-block radius. “I urge you to take a close look at what’s going on in that neighborhood before rendering any decisions.”

The proposed entrance, at Seventh and Corwin, is a busy intersection and would be dangerous, he said.

Rosemary Gabriel, who also lives on Seventh Street, was concerned about the trees on the parcel. “That is our view. . .it’s our one little wooded oasis,” she said.

Gabriel added that already, the community is grappling with the loss of Lewis Marine, which closed this year. Showing photos to the planning board, she said, “Now we’re going to have another blighted area next to it. It makes you feel like you’re living in an industrial park and not a residential neighborhood.”

A resident for more than 23 years, Gabriel said she is, deeply invested in the “loveliness of our neighborhood,” as president of the Friends of Mitchell park and through her work with the library. “I would hate to have it look like an industrial park, with concrete and trucks.”

Another woman asked for buffers.

Jennifer Kennedy said as a mother of three and a registered emergency room nurse dealing with trauma, the proposal sparks “a great safety issue. There’s a big concern with industrial equipment. I ask you to consider that as you move forward,” she said.

Kelly said the project is well under the lot coverage percentage requirement. He added that other similar businesses, such as Lewis Marine, Costello Marine, and others have been sited, and still exist, nearby. Kelly added that the proposal addresses buffer and light concerns.

“To say lot coverage is not an issue and therefore, the proposal is completely compliant, overstates the case,” Bressler said.

The planning board left the hearing open but adjourned until ZBA comments are received.