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Movie theaters allowed back on Route 58 in Riverhead

On Tuesday, movie theaters came one step closer to coming to Riverhead when the Town Board adopted three zoning amendments aimed at permitting them on Route 58.

In 2004, the Town Board changed its zoning so that movie theaters were only allowed downtown.

On June 7, when public hearings were held on the three amendments, just one person spoke.

That person was Charles Cuddy, attorney for Riverhead PGC, who owns the Route 58 site formerly occupied by Walmart and has filed a site plan application for a proposed 50,340-square-foot multiplex in the shopping center. Mr. Cuddy said his clients have been in negotiation with Regal Entertainment Group, the country’s largest movie theater company.

The zoning amendments approved Tuesday create a definition for “movie theater” and reduce the number of parking spaces needed. The amendments also allow movie theaters as a special-permit use in the “shopping center” zoning district, which is located on certain parts of Route 58.

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