Builder In Contract To Buy Quogue VFW

The man in contract to buy the longtime headquarters of Quogue Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5350 asked Village Board members during their monthly meeting on Friday afternoon about his development options once he closes on the Montauk Highway property.

Quogue Mayor Peter Sartorius told Kenneth Tedaldi, the owner of Kenneth J. Tedaldi Inc. in Quogue, that the 4.4-acre property is zoned residential and can accommodate up to fourthree new homes.

Mr. Tedaldi did not disclose how far along the contract negotiations have gone with VFW officials, or if he has immediate plans for the property, which was listed for $1.8 million.

Bill Hughes, the commander of Post 5350, said he would not comment on the pending sale of the property, or the progress that has been made, if any, in terms of finding a new location for the VFW’s membership. Previously, Mr. Hughes said he had been looking to selling the Quogue property and using the sales proceeds to buy another building that is closer to the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing base at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton.

The proposed renovations to 48 Quogue Street, which currently hosts Beth’s Cafe, will be up for review during separate hearings before the Village Board and the Quogue Planning Board next month.

The 150-year-old building will undergo major renovations if the proposal secures the necessary approvals. Rocco Lettieri, chief architect, presented his plans to both boards earlier this month.

If approved, the mixed-use building will host an office and a luncheonette on the first floor and one apartment on the second floor. Currently, there are two apartments on the second floor. The plan will add 1,335 square feet of space to the first floor.

There are no plans to start the renovation until the owner, Hilton Smith of North Carolina, finds tenants for the mixed-use building or sells it. Building manager James Ma said Mr. Hilton is seeking $900,000 for the building.

The hearing before the Village Board is scheduled for Friday, September 19, at 4 p.m. in Village Hall. The hearing before the Planning Board will be on Saturday, September 13, at 4 p.m., also at Village Hall.

The Village Board is also proposing an amendment to village code that, if approved, will strengthen regulations regarding property maintenance and the clearing of land. The measure would also add a stipulation noting that vacant properties cannot be cleared until a building permit has been issued.

A public hearing is scheduled for Friday, September 19, at 4 p.m., at Village Hall.

The board wants to modify the code so that landowners continue to maintain their properties, including trimming trees and removing tree stumps. The code, as it now stands, is less specific about the requirements, noting that property owners must keep driveways and private roads clear of growth in order to “avoid impeding emergency vehicle clearances and access.”

Mr. Sartorius noted that the new provisions were sparked by a conversation about overgrown shrubs and driveways, and how they are creating a potential danger to emergency responders.

According to the new provision, a property owner can remove “weeds, vines, dead plant materials and other vegetative growth,” but cannot cut or remove all of the trees and vegetation without a building permit, a completed building application or special permission from the building inspector or Village Board.