Government

Recap: Town sets hearing dates on allowing Route 58 movie theaters

The Riverhead Town Board is expected to set three June 7 public hearings dealing with proposals to allow movie theaters in the “shopping center” zoning district on Route 58 at its meeting Tuesday. 

The Town Board in 2004 removed movie theaters as a permitted use in all zones other than those in downtown Riverhead, in hopes of attracting a movie theater downtown.

That never happened, and now, officials say they think they can get a movie theater to locate on Route 58.

The shopping center zone applies to a number of locations along Route 58, including the shopping center of the former Walmart, the Kmart/BJs shopping center, the TJ Maxx, Target and Sports Authority shopping centers, the Dunkin’ Donuts/Staples shopping centers and the Lowe’s shopping center.

Supervisor Sean Walter has been trying to convince a theater company to locate in the former Walmart site, which is vacant, but with Sports Authority going out of business soon, that site could be considered as well.

Also on the agenda are resolutions reappointing Planning Board member Richard O’Dea and ZBA member Fred McLaughlin, a decision the board put off at its inaugural meeting in January, when such appointments are normally made.

The meeting starts at 2 p.m. and News-Review reporter Tim Gannon will be live blogging. Click below to comment or follow and scroll down for the agenda and resolution packet.

Live Blog RIverhead Town Board 03-03-2016

May_3,_2016_-_Agenda by Timesreview

May_3,_2016_-_Packet by Timesreview