Riverhead solicits feedback on downtown building height rule change

The Riverhead Town Board will hold a public forum on Jan. 31 to allow residents to make comments and give suggestions about a proposal by the Downtown Revitalization Committee to raise the building height limit, Newsday reported. Under the proposal, the maximum height for buildings would be two stories, or 24 feet. They could, however, climb to three stories with the transfer of development rights and reach four stories with the full purchase of development rights. The restrictions would apply to the DC-1 downtown zoning district. Riverhead has been looking to redevelop parts of its downtown. At regular meetings on Dec. 18 and Jan. 3, property owners expressed worry that the proposed zoning changes would limit potential uses for buildings, inhibit economic growth and their own income. [Newsday]