Greenport Village Has Unveiled Sweeping Changes

With a development moratorium in place since December, Greenport Village has unveiled sweeping changes that would reshape zoning, ban nightclubs and set new rules for parking and entertainment. Tara Smith reports on Newsday.com that the changes are part of a larger overhaul officials say will preserve maritime history, maintain a vibrant business district and balance tourism with year-round residents. Officials have been working since January to revamp the code and Mayor Kevin Stuessi said Thursday the board will lift the moratorium once the changes are approved. A public hearing that began in August remains open. Officials hope the new zoning will ease friction between residents and businesses, which has grown as Greenport evolved into a tourist destination and prompted noise complaints at night. Under the proposed changes, all businesses that feature live or amplified music or DJs would be required to obtain a two-year entertainment permit from the village. Officials said they plan to waive the $250 fee for the first year, but require businesses to have them in place for summer 2024. The permits could be revoked if citations are issued for noise and other violations. Officials did not say how much the permit fees would generate or how they would be spent. The changes were first published on the Greenport Village website in late July. A public information session will be held at the Greenport Fire Department tomorrow at 4 p.m. The next opportunity to weigh in on the changes will be at a hearing this Thursday Sept. 21. ***A pair of Riverhead school district students will face disciplinary action after directing racial slurs at children at a high school football game, according to school officials. Schools Superintendent Augustine Tornatore told attendees at the district’s Board of Education meeting last Tuesday that principals of both the high school and middle school, where the students attend, were working with police investigating the Sept. 9 incident. Grant Parpan reports on Newsday.com that late yesterday, a district spokesman said school administrators will meet today with the Riverhead Town Anti-Bias Task Force and provide an update. At last week's meeting, board member Virginia Healy, who was at the game, said the two white students also spoke to the mother of the children, who are Black, in a “very disrespectful and derogatory way.” “It was heard by a lot of people in the stands and the community was appalled,” said Healy, who added that police responded to the scene. Healy said at the meeting the students were told they are no longer allowed to attend the games. The incident occurred during the Riverhead varsity football team’s season-opening loss at home against Bay Shore. It started on a playground at Pulaski Street School, where the team plays, and spilled over to the stands near the end of the game, said Ron Edelson, of ZE Creative Communications, which handles communications for the district. Edelson said the three in the group accused of using the slurs are a Riverhead High School student, a Riverhead Middle School student, and a former student who transferred out of the district and has since graduated. On Sunday, Edelson said that school administrators have been reviewing surveillance camera footage to better understand what happened. After administrators meet today with the Riverhead Town Anti-Bias Task Force, they are expected to update the school community on the investigation and eventual disciplinary measures. ***The League of Women Voters of the Hamptons, Shelter Island and North Fork will be holding a public information program on Southampton and East Hampton Town energy issues this evening at 7 p.m. in Hampton Library, 2478 Main Street, Bridgehampton. Beth Young of EAST END BEACON reports that the program, o