Riverhead teeters on preservation decision of Baiting Hollow camp parcel

The clock is ticking for Riverhead to decide whether to acquire nearly 36 acres of the Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp property as a deal to preserve the larger Baiting Hollow parcel moves toward closing.

Town officials remained conflicted over the potential uses of the parcel at a recent work session with Suffolk County Legislator Greg Doroski and Julie Wesnofske of Peconic Land Trust, which is in contract to purchase the 145-acre 4-H Camp property from Nassau County.

As they discussed the authorization of an appraisal, Mr. Doroski informed the Riverhead Town Board of the potential threat of development if the deal does not go through. 

“I’ve actually started to hear rumblings that are a little concerning to me, that there’s a group that’s looking to develop it,” the  legislator said at the July 23 work session. “There’s actually a developer who’s toured the site looking to potentially break it down into two acres. The Peconic Land Trust is in contract, first of all, that’s an important bit of information, it is also important to figure out if Riverhead Town is interested in these 36 acres or not.” 

The 145-acre property includes the Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp, working farmland along Sound Avenue, wooded areas, walking trails and shoreline access, offering significant ecological and open space value. 

It also contains nearly 100 aging structures comprised of a mix of camp cabins, washrooms, meeting centers, dining halls, staff housing, barns and craft barns, which need significant improvements, according to Nassau county documents regarding the proposed sale.

The farmland is being used as a working farm that produces vegetables, flowers, garlic, herbs, apples, honey, and chicken eggs as well as a horse barn, horse shelter, sheds, coops including poultry, sheep, goats and horses.

If the acquisition goes through, Suffolk County preserves 40 acres of farmland that is broken down into two parcels. Riverhead receives the nearly 36 acres of open space, which extends the 15-acres of already preserved Sound Avenue Nature Preserve up to the Long Island Sound. 

That leaves the remaining 69-acre balance with the Peconic Land Trust, which is working with Suffolk County to purchase the development rights off the farmland so the 4-H camp continues its operation. Ms. Wesnofske said the Peconic Land Trust’s intention is to turn over the hub of the camp area and a “good chunk of the farmland” to 4-H. 

The Peconic Land Trust is looking to be an “interim owner” to facilitate the whole preservation effort before giving it over to the 4-H camp, she said. 

“We’re really kind of close to the finish line here and figuring out if this is something you all want to do or not, and figuring out how to move this forward,” Mr. Doroski said. “Then, celebrating this as a win for everyone.” 

Councilman Ken Rothwell questioned what other permissible uses and the “worst case scenario” of what could happen on the other 69 acres. Ms. Wesnofske said the idea is to continue the camp operations along with other activities “consistent with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s mission.”

She assured town officials that although the area is currently zoned under Residence A-80, the purchase of the development rights means all those uses, such as building houses or offices, are “stripped away.” 

Deputy town attorney Annemarie Prudenti stepped in to explain further the town’s role and what potential restrictions they can put in place.

“This is not a unique situation,” Ms. Prudenti said. “Typically, what you will see are certain restrictions regarding every piece of property they convey and its use, and if the town was so inclined to participate in this, I would assume that the town board would actually want and require a restriction that that piece, that 65 acres, would not be redeveloped for the following uses, and you can identify [in] the covenant of the partnership of the preservation effort.” 

No price estimate has been provided for Riverhead’s appraisal yet.

However, Ms. Prudenti said when it comes to expenditure of Community Preservation Funds, or CPF, the town is required to eventually hold a public hearing. The town’s financial administrator must disclose the price and provide a report to the town board regarding its CPF. 

She added there are approximately 40 structures on the proposed 36-acre parcel for the town, about 75% of which are “end of life,” she said. She recommended the town get an engineer’s estimate of how much it may cost to remove those structures. 

“Legally, if you were preserving this property, and its access to the public for open space, you have to remedy and remove any dangerous condition,” the deputy attorney said. “You will have to include that in your funding.” 

Riverhead Town Supervisor Jerry Halpin requested the Peconic Land Trust possibly pay for the entire removal of the dilapidated buildings. 

Peconic Land Trust’s contract with Nassau County must close simultaneously with the agreement with Suffolk County for the development rights on a portion of the farmland.

Officials said Suffolk County won’t reveal its price of the acquisition until the final resolution is adopted by the legislature. 

“For the town of Riverhead, our goal is always fair market value, supported by an appraisal,” Ms. Prudenti said. “Peconic Land Trust had their own appraiser, we utilize the same one, so I’m really confident in this appraisal…even with consideration of highest and best value, it’s a good appraisal, in my opinion.” 

The details of the appraisal and preservation sale were discussed further in a closed, executive session.