County, Town To Buy Land Where Hardware Store Plan Incited Outcry

MATTITUCK, NY — It's good news for scores of residents who turned out to blast a plan pitched for a hardware store on New York State Rt .25 and New Suffolk Rd. in Mattituck — Suffolk County and Southold Town have teamed up to purchase the parcel for parkland.

The Southold Town board passed a resolution at its meeting Tuesday night stating, under Suffolk County's new drinking the water protection program, the county and town teamed up to purchase the parcel for active parkland, with Southold Town paying 50 percent of the purchase cost and assuming the responsibility of a management plan.

Residents turned out in September, 2017 to blast the idea of a new hardware store proposed for Main Road and New Suffolk Avenue.

Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski confirmed in March that the county had made an offer to the landowner to purchase the parcel with plans to preserve and use the site as a park.

"The town is committed to maintaining it," Krupski said.

Krupski said in a phone interview in March that the owner was "willing to consider preservation; it's a voluntary program." He said he would put in a resolution for an appraisal and after the appraisal process moved forward, the county could make the owner an offer. Since the owner accepted, the purchase was able to get the green light.

"It's going to take awhile. It's a long process. We're hopeful," Krupski said, back in March.

Hopes became reality and it was a victory for concerned residents as the town board Tuesday night voted to approve the purchase, with only Southold Town Councilman Jim Dinizio voting against the legislation. "I think the county and town have many better places to spend their money than on this one particular lot in Mattituck," he said.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said, in March, that the town had "issued a letter of support and a willingness to enter into a maintenance agreement to maintain a passive use park on the site. We are ready to move forward as soon as the county completes its purchase."

When contacted in past months by Patch, a representative of the Brinkmann family, who proposed the plan, said he had "no comment."

Back in September, a crowd of irate residents packed the Mattituck Presbyterian Church, waiting their turn to speak out for two hours against a proposal for the new hardware store they said could cause major traffic concerns — and prove deadly for pedestrians.

That meeting, hosted by the Mattituck Laurel Civic Association, focused on a plan by the family-owned Brinkmann Hardware, which has locations in Sayville, Blue Point, Holbrook and Miller Place, as well as a paint store in Jamesport, to close the Jamesport paint shop and open a new paint and hardware store at the Mattituck intersection.

Three representatives of the Brinkmann family asked the MLCA if they could come to discuss the proposal; no formal application had yet been submitted to Southold Town but the property was under contract, the Brinkmanns said.

Siblings Mary Neimeth and Hank and Ben Brinkmann, as well as architect Ray Nemschick, were onhand for a presentation and question and answer session.

Brinkmann said the hamlet business zoned parcel, 1.775 acres, would feature two buildings that totaled 20,000 square feet, 80 parking spots, meet green space and Suffolk Health County requirements, and was sited to maximize solar gain.

Egress, Brinkmann said, would be on New Suffolk Avenue, a pronouncement that sparked contention in the large crowds.

"A nightmare!" one woman exclaimed.

A special exception would be needed to build the 12,000 square foot building instead of a 6,000 square foot structure as of right, Brinkmann said.

Those in attendance spoke passionately against the location for two hours.

"That corner is already a nightmare for people coming in and out and to have an entrance on New Suffolk, with traffic backing up. . .there are no words to describe how bad it will be," resident Linda Gallo said.

The issue of a traffic light came up. Brinkman said if a traffic study indicated that a traffic light and righthand turning lane was necessary, the family would pay the cost. The audience, however, denounced a traffic light idea.

Denise Geis asked if the family would consider a smaller, more appropriate size for the parcel.

"The reason the store is proposed at the size it is, is we feel we need to be competitive going into the future," Brinkmann said. "Big box stores have grown larger and with that growth and online retail competition we need to have a sizable shop with options."

Mattituck Chamber of Commerce's David Perrin asked about projected revenue and what kind of numbers were being discussed.

The Brinkmanns said the store is planned to be "roughly twice the size of Orlowski Hardware," with twice the traffic.

A steady stream of residents stood to cry out about traffic at a site that is already treacherous. 'What's going to be done to keep it from being even more dangerous?" one woman asked.

The Brinkmanns said their goal was convenience, with all parking on-site. Residents countered that shoppers would invariably walk across Main Road from Love Lane at an intersection that's already seen deadly accidents.

Others asked about a proposed propane tank; the Brinkmanns said it was 1,000 gallons and would sit off to the side and front of the parcel, not near an apartment currently next door.

Many other residents asked why the Brinkmanns didn't consider one of the empty buildings that exist in Mattituck, such as the Capital One building in Mattituck, or a site on Route 48.

The Brinkmanns said the Main Road location was preferable for visibility. True Value, they explained, does not get involved with site selection.

Doris McGreevy asked about new jobs. The Brinkmanns said in addition to the two employees who'd come from the Jamesport store, there would be 25 new team members hired.

Cathy Simicich said the community has been waiting years for a turnaround on Route 48 and Cox Lane. "Depot Lane can't get a left turn" arrow, she said. She asked why the three thought they'd be able to solve traffic issues when the other problems have existed for years.

Many asked why the area needed a new hardware store with shops already located in Mattituck, Jamesport, Southold, Greenport and Riverhead. The Brinkmanns said their new business model was to consolidate and add hardware to paint stores.

"It's clear we're not happy about your large store coming into our small community," Elise Martini said. "Do you really care? Will that change your mind? Does this change anything about the way you feel?"

"We wouldn't be here if we didn't care," Brinkmann said, adding they requested the meeting by choice, to speak to the community.

Donielle Cardinale noted that residents "didn't seem overly keen" on the plan and asked why the Brinkmanns didn't consider another location, perhaps in Jamesport.

Others said the addition would mean traffic backed up for miles, especially during pumpkin season when traffic is already an issue.

"Do any of you live out here?" Angela McKenna asked.

The Brinkmanns said they are all from the Bayport and Sayville areas.

"The traffic out here is horrendous. You couldn't have picked a worse place to try and put something like this. This is not the right place," she said.

"People who are trying to cross that street to get to you are going to die," another resident said.

Southold Town Councilman Bob Ghosio said, at that meeting, that the project was "not necessarily a given" and the Brinkmanns will have to go before the planning and zoning boards for their requested special exception.

Russell and Dinizio also attended the Sept. 2017 meeting.

The Brinkmanns and Orlowski could not immediately be reached for comment after Tuesday's meeting.

Patch photo by Lisa Finn depicts a crowd of angry residents who blasted a plan for a new hardware store on Main Road back in September.