Several residents are questioning a developer’s plan to build a private sports facility in Mattituck, saying the proposed indoor/outdoor athletic complex could hurt small businesses and degrade the area’s quality of life with increased traffic and noise.
Still others say it is a much-needed proposal for the North Fork.
During a Southold Town Planning Board public hearing Monday, many residents criticized Sports East’s site plan application for an 82,500-square-foot health club on Main Road, saying they oppose the plan because they believe it would “open Pandora’s Box” for future development.
Mattituck resident Julie Amper described the proposal as an attempt to “allow commercial use in a residential zone following an earlier failed attempt to accomplish this through a zone change.”
Ms. Amper was referring to other plans submitted by local builder Paul Pawlowski, who had previously proposed a mixed-use development for the Sports East property and, before that, an affordable rental complex. He withdrew both controversial applications after receiving pushback from the community.
Last winter, Mr. Pawlowski and business partners Joe Slovak and Steve Marsh then proposed building a sports facility at the location. They do not need a change of zone from the town this time around because the property’s existing residential zoning allows annual membership clubs with a special exception from the ZBA.
Ms. Amper said she believes the North Fork already has “adequate” sporting facilities, including fitness classes at the town rec center, libraries and health clubs.
“The project offers a single, much ballyhooed, carrot — a small swimming pool exclusively for members,” said Ms. Amper, who also serves as vice president of the Mattituck-Laurel Civic Association. “How does this one carrot, a private membership swimming pool, justify the stick; a dangerous precedent-setting act that undermines the zoning map and threatens the integrity of past planning efforts.”
Sports East is proposing the area’s first indoor sports facility complete with a swimming pool, a synthetic field for multiple sports, a basketball court, four tennis courts, two batting cages, a gym, space for yoga, spin classes and locker rooms.
Outdoor athletic fields are also planned closer to Main Road, including a synthetic field for multiple sports, as well as tennis and pickleball courts.
Jill Schroeder, who owns the JABS fitness studio in Cutchogue, told the Planning Board she believes Sports East “may destroy” her business.
“The magnitude of this facility is bigger than what this community can bear,” she said. “I love what I do and would like to see my business continue to be a part of the North Fork, but allowing this project will likely not allow me to continue.”
Some residents criticized the developers for conducting a required traffic study in March instead of during the busy summer season. Others said that while they like the proposal, they believe it should be built in a commercial zone.
Mattituck resident Joanne Lechner said she believes the property should be preserved since she said Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski suggested during a recent civic meeting that the county might be able to purchase it. (The Suffolk Times did not attend that meeting and Mr. Krupski wasn’t immediately available for comment.)
While several residents voiced their opposition to the proposal, the majority of the audience cheered when Mr. Pawlowski asked if they were in favor of the plan.
The youngest supporter to address the Planning Board was 10-year-old Cutchogue East Elementary student Erik McKenna, who said he enjoys playing multiple sports.
“My friends and I are asking you to consider Sports East to come to our community because we need a place to do year-round activities,” he said. “You wouldn’t want us sitting around doing nothing all winter. You’d want us at Sports East staying fit and healthy.”
A pair of senior citizens also described long drives up-island for swimming exercise classes as burdensome and said they hope Sports East is approved.
The developers have said the facility would be similar to the Southampton Youth Services recreation center, which is located more than 40 minutes from Mattituck.
The town’s first public hearing on the Sports East proposal occurred during a Feb. 4 Southold Town Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. Although few people raised concerns about traffic and membership fees, reaction to the project from those in attendance was overwhelmingly supportive, as people said they believe there’s a lack of local recreational activities.
Following the Feb. 4 meeting, the ZBA decided to leave the public hearing open for comment and is awaiting a study about potential environmental impacts, known as SEQRA, which the Planning Board has required as part of its own review of the site plan application. The ZBA is expected to hold an additional public hearing to discuss SEQRA findings, which are still being finalized.
The Planning Board closed Monday’s hearing and is awaiting the SEQRA report.
Top photo: Mattituck resident Julie Amper addressing the Southold Town Planning Board on Monday. Ms. Amper, who serves as the Mattituck-Laurel Civic Association vice president, voice her opposition to the Sports East athletic facility proposal. (Credit: Jen Nuzzo)