Warehouse

Guest column: Make no mistake. This is no ordinary warehouse. This is a mega-warehouse, the kind that stretches for acres and dwarfs everything in its surroundings. Some may see it as a sign of progress and economic growth. I see it as a harbinger of doom for local residents.

Riverhead is assessing potential impacts of the proposed Riverhead Logistics Center, a 15-acre 'high-cube' warehouse, as if it’s a traditional storage facility, as opposed to a potential e-commerce fulfillment center — a dreadful mistake that could have irreversible consequences.

The idea is to have an interactive forum where residents can ask questions about the proposed new uses, which Riverhead Planning Board Vie Chairperson Ed Densieski points out were not studied in the town’s existing comprehensive plan.

Riverhead planners are using traffic data for a traditional warehouse to analyze NorthPoint's projected traffic impacts on local roads. Residents object, arguing the standard underestimates traffic for fulfillment centers, but the town's traffic consultants defend their analysis.

Eastern Fence is proposing a 60,000-square-foot building on Scott Avenue where it will fabricate PVC fencing using material manufactured at its existing facility in the park. Hildreth Real Estate Advisors is proposing a 70,000-square-foot warehouse on an adjacent site.

The town board is split on whether any moratorium on industrial development should allow exemptions for projects already under review.

A site plan for a drive-in restaurant the developer hopes will be leased to a Sonic franchise gained final approval from the Riverhead Planning Board Thursday. It was among four site plans given final approval by the board at its meeting.