A long-planned affordable housing and community center project near the First Baptist Church of Riverhead has received a $1 million grant, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday.
The project, known as the Northville Commons, will consist of “80 units of much-needed affordable rental housing,” according to the governor’s press release. The state funds will support the construction of an on-site sewage treatment plant, new sidewalks, and landscaping for the development, which will be located on a 12.5-acre site adjacent to the church along Northville Turnpike, the state said.
Northville Commons was the only project on Long Island to receive funding as a part of the first round of the state’s County Infrastructure Grant Program. The program supports “small- and medium-sized county-led infrastructure projects” that would generate economic development Housing projects with more than 10 units were eligible for $1 million awards.
The Family Community Life Center, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the First Baptist Church of Riverhead, is partnering with residential developer Georgica Green Ventures (GGV) on Northville Commons.
| PRIOR COVERAGE: Family Community Life Center set to move forward with long-sought housing project if town agrees to more zoning changes |
The church’s effort to create a community center near its property began in 1988, when the Family Community Life Center organization was formed. Since then, the organization has attained nonprofit status and has raised funds through an annual gala.
The organization has petitioned the Riverhead Town Board for more than a decade to permit development of the site for affordable housing in addition to the community center.
In 2022, the church received approval from state authorities to sell part of its property to GGV for the project.
The most recent public discussion of the project occurred in June 2023, when GGV and church officials requested an amendment to the Community Benefits Zoning District. The special overlay zone, adopted by the Town Board in 2016 at the church’s urging, was intended to facilitate the project.
However, the project’s scope has changed since the zoning was established. In 2023, officials requested the Town Board amend the zone to allow low-income housing for individuals earning between 50% and 80% of the area median income, in contrast to the originally proposed “workforce” housing, designated for those earning between 80% and 120% of the area median income. Officials later said the apartments would be a mix of both affordable and workforce units.
According to the 2023 presentation by GGV and church officials, 20 of the 80 apartments will be reserved for individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition to the rental units, five three-bedroom condos would be built and sold at an affordable price.
Connie Lassandro, a consultant for GGV, said in a phone call Monday that the Northville Commons project remains similar to what was presented to the Town Board in 2023.
According to prior presentations, the community center building would total 10,000 square feet and include a gym and other multi-use space. The center would provide services like workforce and career development; youth and senior citizen programs; affordable childcare; and seminars and programs in partnership with other community organizations.
The Town Board has not yet acted on the requested zoning changes.
A discussion of amendments to the Community Benefits Zoning District was scheduled for the Town Board’s June 5 work session but was canceled. Dawn Thomas, administrator of the town’s planning department, said in an interview that the zoning amendment proposal was “not ready for prime time” and board members needed more time to review it.
The Town Board is scheduled to discuss changes to the zoning district at Thursday’s work session.
Thomas noted that the proposal involves changes to homeownership requirements and architectural standards but declined to discuss specifics. She said the developer would be required to purchase the development rights of agricultural properties in the town to permit the construction of 80 apartments — a condition already in the overlay zone regulations.
“The code isn’t just applicable to this project. It’s an overlay district and could apply to other projects as well,” Thomas added. “We’re not zoning it for a particular project.”
Thomas said the developer has seen and discussed the proposed zoning changes with town officials. “I do believe that they are amenable to the things that we’ve proposed,” she added.
Lassandro said on Monday that she was informed the town would advance amendments to the Community Benefits Zoning District at its next meeting. GGV is “ready and anxious to get this going” and has applied for additional grants for the project, Lassandro said.
“I think it’s going to get to where we’re going to be able to actually start it,” she added. She said she did not know why it has taken the town two years to amend the zoning district.
Shirley Coverdale, president of the Family Community Life Center, declined to comment and referred inquiries to GGV President David Gallo. Gallo did not return calls and a text message requesting comment.
During the 2023 presentation, Gallo said GGV would pursue real property and other tax exemptions through the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency to help finance the project. He said it would also seek federal tax credits and other government programs designed to support low-income housing.
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