Featured Letter: Troubling project proposed in Cutchogue

I am quite disturbed by a recent article in your paper concerning the expansion of the commercial brick building shopping center in Cutchogue owned by Al Terp Jr. (“Expanded shops in Cutchogue,” April 7).

While it is clear that Mr. Terp has every right to develop his property, it is not clear why he would choose to develop it in the way he is suggesting and why now, after all these years? Could it have anything to do with the Heritage project? I thought that project has met with extreme community disfavor. Does Mr. Terp know something the rest of us don’t?

Mr. Terp claims to want to keep the expansion in keeping with Cutchogue’s character and that it will not affect traffic or our water supply. Well, excuse me, but is doubling the size of an already too large building, creating five retail spaces, in character with our little hamlet of Cutchogue? I don’t think so!

Claiming this expansion will not add traffic problems is ridiculous. Is there a traffic study? And he also claims hooking up to an already existing, outdated cesspool system is not going to affect our water. I disagree wholeheartedly. Our water supply is probably the most important issue on the North Fork.

Five retail spaces will create traffic and parking problems. The outdated cesspool system couldn’t possibly handle additional usage efficiently and safely. What happens if it contaminates our local water supply? Where is a health department study?

A “shopping center look” is not in keeping with our Cutchogue character. Mr. Terp’s existing building is an anomaly as it is. Why add to it? I hope readers will make an effort to find out more about this situation and voice their opinions to the town.

Mr. Terp has every right to expand his property. We can only hope he would do it with more thought and consideration for his neighbors and the future of Cutchogue. There are major flaws with the current design and the town ZBA and planning department should be holding his feet to the fire.

Ms. Wipf lives in Cutchogue.