Environment
Palumbo hosts roundtable meeting in Riverhead to discuss environmental issues
Representatives of environmental groups, community groups and local government officials across eastern Suffolk County turned out for a two-hour, wide-ranging conversation with state legislators Thursday morning in Riverhead.
Government
Riverhead planning department pitches code revision to allow warehouse developers to ‘buy’ extra building height
Riverhead planners have proposed an amendment to the town’s transfer of development rights code that would create a major new receiving area for development rights transferred from agricultural land in the town.
News
Suffolk County announces $100 million farmland preservation initiative to reach goal set over 50 years ago
Suffolk County is committing $100 million over the next 10 years to preserve 10,000 acres of developable farmland, in order to reach the goal of preserving 30,000 acres set over 50 years ago.
News
County closes on two major land preservation deals on Sound Avenue
Suffolk County has preserved almost 140 acres of open space and farmland along the historic Sound Avenue corridor in Riverhead, County Legislator Al Krupski announced yesterday.
News
Legislators approve preservation of two ‘key’ parcels in Riverhead
The county legislature yesterday approved the purchase of development rights on the 50-acre Schmitt farm in Riverhead as well as the purchase outright of 20 acres adjacent to the North Fork Preserve, which the county acquired for parkland in 2011.
News
Suffolk legislators this week to consider two major land buys in Riverhead, bias-driven false reports to police and zombie homes
Suffolk legislative committees will take up resolutions this week to authorize the purchase of 50 acres of farmland on Sound Avenue in Riverhead and 20 acres of open space in Northville. Here's the full committee schedule, with agenda and livestream links.
Government
Volunteers ‘very frustrated’ by town board’s inaction on farmland preservation recommendations
A committee tasked with developing ways to enhance the town's transfer of development rights program is unhappy about the town board's failure to act on its recommendations. Town board members say the town lacks the money to do the required environmental analysis necessary for zoning code amendments proposed by the committee.
News
Appellate court upholds county’s farmland preservation changes allowing a host of contested uses
Corn mazes and agritainment, greenhouses, processing facilities and commercial horse boarding operations are among uses 'sufficiently related to agricultural production' and therefore permitted on preserved farmland, an Appellate Division panel ruled yesterday.
News
With its own farmland rules struck down by court, Suffolk County turns to State Legislature for help
Pending legislation in Albany would allow on preserved farmland any development or activity included in the definition of "farm operation" under the state Ag & Markets Law.
News
Housing on Route 58? Riverhead considers zoning changes to save farmland, boost commercial corridor
Riverhead Town is considering sweeping zoning code changes intended to boost farmland preservation by allowing residential development in the Route 58 commercial corridor.