The developer who’s pitched a proposal for preservation, shops and some apartments along Main Road in Mattituck said today that his intent is to stay true to his plan and move forward with the project.
To that end, he wrote an open letter to the public this week, detailing his plan and addressing questions that have been raised.
Last night, at a meeting hosted by the Mattituck-Laurel Civic Association member, one resident asked if Pawlowski could possibly sell the parcel to the town for preservation, something she said was asked at a recent MLCA meeting.
Heather Lanza, Southold Town’s director of planning, said any such idea would need to be brought before the town’s land preservation commission , who would discuss it and then come before the town board with a recommendation.
But Pawlowski said today he is not entertaining that option. “I want to stay true to the original plan,” he said, which calls for preservation, some retail businesses, and affordable apartments, as well as a public pavilion at the gateway to Mattituck.
Initially, Pawlowski had presented a proposal for workforce housing on the parcel but after it was not widely embraced by the town board, he said he pursued the new option.
“I’m a big believer that what we’d be doing is affording tons of preservation for those in the immediate area,” He said. ‘Unless the town preserved this land, something will happen, and the alternative is much worse than what I’ve proposed.”
In his letter, Pawlowski aimed to set the record straight on exactly what he’s hoping to do on the land.
“I would like to address many of your questions and concerns regarding my proposed site plan for 9300 Main Road in Mattituck. This is the property across from the old Capital One building in Mattituck, west of Tony’s Asian Fusion. I feel it is important for you to understand what my proposal includes, and why I have put this proposal before the Southold Town Board,” he wrote, in a letter sent to SoutholdLOCAL today.
According to Pawlowski, he is looking to develop only 3.5 acres of the 21 acre parcel, donating the remaining 17.5 acres to the town, as preserved land.
Next, Pawlowski proposes five individual buildings, totaling 14,000 square feet. Four of those will be 2,000 square feet and one, 6,000 square feet, all in a “campus style” with each building separate and green space and landscaping between each structure.
“This will naturally protect the town from ‘strip malls or large box companies,’ as some have voiced concerns about. This type of development is not my intention. This location will not be a site for ’24-hour stores or gas stations’ and I am willing to put this in a covenant,” he wrote.
In addition, Pawlowski has propose 12 residential apartments, to be built above the retail locations, adding “much needed rental opportunities for people looking for affordable apartments; something our town is in desperate need of. To be clear, these are not government mandated affordable housing units. These are simply affordable apartments. We will mirror the affordably housing rental rates, and will include that in a covenant for the property. We will use the same infrastructure needed for the retail stores,” Pawlowski said.
Also proposed in the plan is an open-air pavilion for public use, maintained by Pawlowski at no cost to the town or residents. The pavilion could be used for art shows, farmers markets, musical performances and similar activities, he said, with a parking plan to manage those who attend.
Parking proposed for the site includes side and rear parking only, Pawlowski said, allowing for green space along Main Road. Two entry and exit points are proposed, with the exit to the east only allowing vehicles to make a right turn and continue east.
Pawlowski said he’d be working with the New York State Department of Transportation to improve the entire intersection in that area, adding turning lanes and improving infrastructure and traffic pattern in that area, at no cost to taxpayers.
Landscaping, including walkways, plantings and flowers between buildings, is also proposed.
“As a lifelong resident of the Mattituck and Cutchogue community, I fully understand the importance of maintaining the ‘North Fork look’,” he wrote. “For reference, the proposed buildings would look similar to property site of the Hudson City Bank in Greenport. I would like to put the size of the project in perspective. The overall size would be also similar in size the Greenport development that houses Hudson City, though I am proposing this development to be spread out over 3.5 acres, with improved parking and more green space. The retail space is also similar in overall size, however the ‘campus style’ of this project will allow for smaller structures with green space in between. If the zone change is approved, the overall project size will be 50 percent less than what is allowable by code.”
Pawlowski added that he’s heard concerns of immediate neighbors; that’s one reason why, he said, he’s decided to donate and preserve 85 percent of the property, ensuring no development in neighbors’ rear yards and also preserving the wooded area.
The plan, he said, would increase overall property values.
“The property is currently zoned for residential development, meaning the entire area can be cleared for development of numerous homes,” he said. “Since the property has been in the news, I have received several inquiries for potential options that would clear the entire property. I feel my proposed project is the best option for preserving most of this property while bringing housing and new business opportunities to Mattituck.”
He added, “To all residents of Southold town, I pledge my commitment to work closely with the planning board to ensure all requirements are met. If approved, the project will be completed in eight months from start to finish, and will be bonded to ensure it is completed and never sitting idle.”
The plan will also create job opportunities, Pawlowski said. He added that he looks forward to the public hearing process and addressing any concerns and questions.
The proposal calls for a zone change on Main Road in Mattituck.
The zone change request by Pawlowski involves a change from the 20.8 parcel’s current residential, or R-80 zone, to general business.
The planning board has raised some concerns, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said, that a change of zone might allow more intense commercial uses on the parcel than currently exist in the vicinity.
Other residents, said Mary Eisenstein of the Mattituck-Laurel Civic Association, have said they are worried that shops discussed for the proposal, including a fish or cheese shop, could compete with already existing businesses in town.
Russell said while zone changes are a function of the town board, the board looks to the planning board for input. If the board should decide to move forward with the application, the matter would be subject to a public hearing, with ample opportunity for the public to weigh in, Russell said.
