Developer Looks To Replace Gas Station With Another Gas Station At Riverside Traffic Circle

It would be a gas station to replace an abandoned gas station, across the street from another gas station, and another. There would also be a 7-Eleven less than a few miles away from another 7-Eleven on Flanders Road if the plan for a Riverside traffic circle property under review by Southampton Town planners is approved.

The applicant, 9-11 Flanders Road LLC, is looking to develop the 39,567-square-foot property located at 9 and 11 Flanders Road, the southeastern portion of the Riverside traffic circle, with a six pump gas station and a 3,024-square-foot 7-Eleven convenience store.

The application will need review by the Zoning Board of Appeals, with a determination as to whether the 7-Eleven store can be construed as an accessory to the gas station use. The ZBA will also have to be prevailed upon for variances related to setbacks and signs.

Back in 2016, a plan for a 4,786-square-foot Cumberland Farms convenience store and a 12 pump gas station was submitted to the Planning Board, but ultimately failed to progress.

It was at odds with a revitalization plan for the roundabout that envisioned a three story building with a restaurant or shops on the ground floor and apartments on the upper floors.

So, too, is the new plan.

Vince Taldone, president of the Flanders, Riverside and Northampton Community Association, said the new project replicates that last one, one where his group told the developer: “We will fight you to the death not to have this at that location.”

According to Mr. Taldone, the land use plan for the hamlet calls for steering “in and out” businesses away from the roundabout. Enterprises like the shop at 20 Riverleigh Avenue were more of what community members want to see … and hear about. Mr. Taldone noted that developers for 20 Riverlegh met with his group during the early stages. That meant they were able to go to the Planning Board with community support for their idea.

The 20 Riverleigh building, as well as two existing gas stations and one vacant parcel front, plus the 9-11 Flanders property on the traffic circle. Its “spokes” roads that extend from the circle, lead to downtown Riverhead, the County Center, Hampton Bays and Westhampton

A zoning overlay plan for the area and the revitalization of the hamlet relies, however, on the creation of a sewer district, a project that has so far suffered from inertia.

While the applicant’s representative, Anthony Curcio, sought a quick review of the project, the Planning Board decided to hold a work session on the plan next week rather than move it to pre-submission conference.