For six decades, Alfred Weissman Real Estate, a family business founded by my father, has strived to ensure that our developments make a positive contribution to the communities in which we operate. Our proposed agritourism project in Riverhead is designed with the same commitment and aims to strengthen the local economy, preserve the town’s rural charm and celebrate its natural beauty. However, we have found that this proposal is causing some confusion and I would like to clarify what it actually entails.
Riverhead has about 7,000 acres of undeveloped farmland, a vast area that, if developed into housing units, could place significant strain on local infrastructure, increase traffic, and put pressure on the already overburdened school system. Much of this farmland is in the R80 zone, where current zoning allows one home per two acres. Over the past few decades, the pace of residential development has accelerated, driving up the cost of farmland with development rights and placing additional financial burdens on local farmers who are faced with difficult decisions about their future.
While this bill only affects a few large parcels of land, it introduces a thoughtful approach to land use and provides a less dense and less disruptive alternative to traditional residential development. This strategy has been successfully implemented in agricultural communities across the country.
We have a similar project in Southern Vermont where we are revitalizing a historic property that was once part of the largest orchard in the United States. This project involves the restoration of a significant architectural landmark listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, with a landscape originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the mastermind behind Central Park in New York City.
For Riverhead, our goal is to build a high-quality, low-rise, low-density, eco-friendly hotel and spa on a working farm, with farm-to-table products. This development promises significant property tax revenue for the town and provides critical funding for local services without adding additional burdens to the school system. Importantly, the development will not bring new children into the school district, so the existing student body will continue to receive special attention, enhanced by the additional financial resources. We will not seek any local tax benefits or incentives.
Beyond the financial benefits, our project is also deeply rooted in preserving Riverhead’s agricultural heritage. By participating in the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program, we will provide financial support to local farmers so they can continue to farm their land and preserve the town’s agricultural heritage. This approach not only benefits the farming community, but also ensures that valuable farmland remains unused.
The economic impact of our project goes beyond property taxes and farmland conservation. The construction phase will create numerous well-paying jobs, and once the resort is operational, it will provide stable employment opportunities for local residents. Our on-site restaurant will source produce and other goods from nearby farms, directly supporting local agriculture. We also intend to partner with local farmers and allow them to plant and harvest on our property, further strengthening our ties to the farming community.
We recognize that traffic is an issue for Riverhead residents. Our small hotel is designed to have minimal impact on local traffic. Guests arrive and depart at different times throughout the day, primarily during off-peak hours. Additionally, as this is a resort, many guests spend most of their time on-site, reducing potential congestion in surrounding areas. Resort use generates far less traffic than residential or agricultural use, both of which are permitted uses.
Finally, our project calls for significant setbacks from Sound Avenue to preserve the scenic views that make Riverhead so special. These setbacks ensure that our development remains unobtrusive and the area’s natural beauty continues to be a draw for residents and visitors.
We believe this project represents a balanced and thoughtful development approach for Riverhead that provides economic, environmental and aesthetic benefits while respecting the town’s valued lifestyle. We look forward to working closely with the community to make this vision a reality.
Alan Weissman is CEO of Alfred Weissman Real Estate, which has proposed building a resort hotel and spa on a 105-acre site in Riverhead north of Sound Avenue and west of Doctors Path.
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