Riverhead Ciderhouse resolution approving already-built expansion on Planning Board’s agenda Thursday

(Correction appended) A resolution to approve the preliminary site plan application for Riverhead Ciderhouse patio and tasting room expansions is on the Planning Board’s agenda for a vote Thursday afternoon.

Property owner J. King Realty is proposing to legalize an expansion of an existing outdoor patio area and the conversion of a portion of the wine storage area to an additional tasting room area and to construct 36 additional parking spaces on the property, located on the southwest corner of Sound and Osborn avenues in Baiting Hollow.

The applicant already built the patio tasting room expansions without permits. The patio has been expanded from 3,186 square feet to 4,480 square feet. The tasting room area has been expanded by 5,150 square feet.

The patio expansion as well as the construction of sliding doors from the building to the patio area were discovered by the town as a result of a routine inspection of the site by the town fire marshal’s office. The town issued a stop-work order to the owner on May 5, 2020, according to the Planning Board resolution.

The owner submitted a site plan application for the expanded patio area in November 2022. When planning department staff inspected the site in December in connection with the site plan application, the expanded tasting room was discovered, according to the pending resolution.

The proposed resolution would require the applicant to remove the overhead sliding barn doors and garage door on the northern wall of the expanded tasting room and close that portion of wall to its previous state or “other similar solid wall or sealed double paned glazing to minimize negative impacts on surrounding uses and the Sound Avenue Historic Corridor.”

The proposed resolution would also prohibit any additional expansion of the use because “any additional expansion would exceed the customarily incidental and accessory nature of the processing and retail sale and tasting of hard cider” at the property.

The resolution details the history of the property, including the previous times the owner made changes to the site without site plan approvals or permits.

“That Planning Board notes, with emphasis, that all previous conditions of approval and filed covenants remain in full force and effect,” the resolution states.

The prior conditions of approval and filed covenants include prohibition of “special events such as weddings, festivals or fairs” on the property, a “full-service restaurant or catering” conducted on the subject and outdoor music. The conditions and covenants also require the tasting room to close and “public activities” to cease no later than 9 p.m..

The Planning Board held a public hearing on the current application April 6. The hearing drew a crowd to Town Hall that evening. Most in attendance pointed to the history of the site and urged the Planning Board to deny the current application.

MORE COVERAGE: Riverhead Ciderhouse’s bid to legalize expansion bashed by some, supported by others at hearing

The applicant has already violated the covenants he signed as required by prior approvals, Reeves Park resident Mike Foley told the Planning Board during the hearing.

“He’s already violated, there’ll be no weddings. We have video evidence,” Foley said.

“We know that he’s already violated the fact that there will be no further expansion of the tasting room or public access areas without further application and approval by the Planning Board,” Foley said.

“Clearly, he has been thumbing his nose at the process,” he said.

Riverhead Ciderhouse’s website advertises the property as “a great space for events such as wedding, bridal showers, large parties, corporate events, graduations, birthdays and any other celebratory events.”

Others, including craft beverage maker Juan Micieli-Martinez of Riverhead who works out of the ciderhouse property, supported the application.

“It has long-term economic impacts,” Micieli-Martinez of Riverhead said. “They’re not here to build a five-story building and then leave town. They support New York State craft beverage producers, they serve local wine, local beers, local spirits as well, too. They provide jobs to youth in our community and a fair amount from the Latino community,” Micieli-Martinez said.

Riverhead Planner Matt Charters said during the hearing that the ciderhouse had to pay a $5,000 fine in connection with tickets issued for improving the property without town permits. Its application fees are also doubled for improvements made without permits.

Thursday’s Planning Board meeting is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

Correction: This article originally identified Juan Micieli-Martinez as president of the Long Island Farm Bureau. Though he holds that position, he was not speaking in that capacity at the hearing but was speaking instead in his individual capacity.