Costco

The developer of a controversial Route 58 commercial property got permission to remove 26,041 cubic yards of soils from a formerly wooded site it was allowed to clear cut in 2013 in order to avoid importing soils to fill low spots.

A site plan for the construction of 120,450 square feet of additional retail and accessory uses on a 42-acre Route 58 site gained preliminary approval by the Riverhead Planning Board Thursday.

Eleven acres of woodlands that was clear-cut to allow a developer to mine sand to fill low-lying areas on its 42-acre site won't be developed any time soon — leaving a vast empty space adjoining residents' backyards. The developer has submitted plans to build five new large stores on the Costco site.

The town planning board at its meeting tomorrow afternoon is set to approve a preliminary site plan for a 60,000-square-foot retail shopping center just west of Osborn Avenue and will have its first look at five more stores comprising 120,000 square feet on the Costco site.

Groups request funding through town's 2015 Community Development Block Grant, town board approves monthly low-cost spay/neuter clinic at Pfeifer Center, agreement with Costco site developer, zoning and parking code changes and a bunch of special event permits for 2015.

Some residents at Foxwood Village, a senior citizen community off Middle Road in Calverton, are walking around their backyards in stunned silence...