Stop-work order halts Aquebogue subdivision project

The Riverhead Building Department posted a “Stop Work Order” at the site of the proposed Summerwind Farms subdivision in Aquebogue after code enforcement officials discovered substantial site work started before approvals and permits were issued.

Officials were notified of possible tree clearing at the site — located at 200 Peconic Bay Blvd. — where inspectors found that “a substantial portion of the property had been cleared, and excavators, bulldozers and other earthmoving equipment were observed on the premises,” according to a release issued Tuesday evening. They also documented improvements throughout the site related to grading, excavation, drainage, parking with fencing and temporary electric service.

Officials said at the time of the inspection that the project had only received preliminary planning board approval, and the Town had not issued building permits necessary to authorize the extent of work observed on the property.

The proposed project consists of a 16-lot residential subdivision, including two agricultural preserve areas, on approximately 30 acres within the RA-40 and RA-80 zoning districts. The subdivision application is still under review by the planning board.

The project had already been under fire back in April, as previously reported, when the Riverhead Planning Board rejected three “unacceptable” sketch plans for the proposed subdivision after an engineering firm called out builder Vincent Calvosa for submitting illegitimate entries and a fabricated traffic study report on behalf of the applicant.

“I promised the taxpayers of Riverhead when I took office, it would no longer be easier to ask for forgiveness than permission when local laws and processes are blatantly disregarded,” Supervisor Jerry Halpin said in the release.

According to the release, eight appearance tickets have been issued alleging violations of various provisions of town code relating to subdivision approval, permits, unauthorized land disturbance and other regulated activities.

Local law enforcement officials are investigating further.