Still more hurdles for Atlantis hotel
Town may alter law for downtown Hyatt plan
1 comments below
Atlantis Marine World's plans to build a downtown hotel still face a number of hurdles -- including one that could require a change in town law -- that are threatening to slow the project's approval process, the News-Review has learned.
If the current proposal is realized, the five-story, 110-room Hyatt Place would boast a ballroom and indoor swimming pool on property adjacent to Atlantis' East Main Street aquarium. The project is frequently touted by town officials as an important key to turning around the beleaguered downtown.
First proposed in 2002, the plan still needs approval from the Suffolk County Planning Commission. The proposal was on the commission's agenda for yesterday, Wednesday, though not until after presstime.
If the commission opposes the proposal, the Town Board, which is one member short, will need a unanimous 4-0 vote on either Atlantis' site plan or special permit approvals to override the commission. Otherwise the town vote would be considered a "no" vote.
Another potential stumbling block is a town requirement that any parking lot over 800-square feet be paved, though Atlantis was required by the state Department of Environmental Conservation to install a gravel parking lot because of its proximity to the Peconic River, Atlantis principal Jim Bissett said at a Town Board meeting last week.
"What we can do is change the law, because it's stupid," Supervisor Phil Cardinale responded, noting officials had already discussed changing the law. The Town Board now plans to schedule a public hearing on a proposal to change it.
There's still another issue that will have to be addressed. Town law recommends at least 75 percent of the width of front facades in buildings in the Downtown Center-1 zone consist of transparent windows.
"A five-story hotel would never be full glass," Atlantis' architect Roger Smith said at the same meeting.
"You'll probably have to waive that requirement," added Atlantis' attorney, Eric Russo.
"It's waived," Mr. Cardinale shot back.
Mr. Cardinale said later: "The idea of 75 percent is appropriate for a retail store but not a hotel. But this is only a guideline. The law states it would like to see these things, but they can be waived."
The supervisor said he's hoping the Town Board can approve the project's special permit at its July 7 meeting or, if not then, the July 21 meeting.
"We'd like to do anything we're doing in a spirit of cooperation to get that objective accomplished," Mr. Cardinale said. "On the other hand, we want the site plan to be complete and we don't want to have any lingering issues."
Meanwhile, the Atlantis company has also been unsuccessful in its efforts to acquire a next-door gas station property, which it planned to use as additional exhibit space for the aquarium, Mr. Bissett said. He said Atlantis will continue to negotiate with the owner of that property, but the company no longer includes that parcel in its expansion plans.
tgannon@timesreview.com
The Riverhead News-Review is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. The Riverhead News-Review does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not The Riverhead News-Review. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Service and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
1 comments found
Atlantis Marine World Expansion : 8/5/2009
My family loves Atlantis Marine World, we have a family membership. We are also voting residents of the town of Riverhead. The aquarium has done nothing other than bring paying customers to main st. which needs serious renovations and help. The town should give businesses an incentive to do business on main st. not hinder their attempts. I think any business on Main Street, especially Atlantis Marine World (a company that continues to bring visitors to Riverhead) should be given as much leeway as the law will allow. Mr. Bissett (I do not know him personally) has brought a great attraction to our town and we should applaude his efforts not hold him up with "red tape" A traffic problem only exisits because of Mr. Bissett's facility, with out it Main Street would not exisit. Thank you Mr. Bissett for creating a traffic problem on Main St. it is a problem we want to have. Please bring as many people and as many tax dollars you can to our town. Again I thank you for your dedication to Riverhead, and your continued efforts to make the town better. I can only hope our elected officials think in a similar manner
