Mendelson: 'I Am Not Going Away'

For the eighth time this year, Andrew Mendelson, a developer who is proposing to construct a 40,000-square-foot supermarket on 4.2 acres of property on Old Riverhead Road, was before the Westhampton Beach Village Board requesting that his idea be explored. However, his request was denied yet again.

Last Wednesday night, Mendelson said he stood at the podium to ask that the village add the use of a grocery stores to the B3 zoning district and industrial zones.

"The meeting didn't go that well for me," said Mendelson, referring to the response he received from Richard Haefeli, the village's attorney.

Haefeli, as he has in the past, stated that adding a grocery store use to both the village's B-3 and industrial zones would require a master plan update, compete with an environmental study, which was completed during the village's last master plan update four years ago. He also indicated that trustees are not required to entertain his plan.

Mendelson, however, argues that the village has not spelled out the process in which to apply.

"If you look on the Village website you will find that there is no form for petitioning the government to amend the code," said Mendelson, who added that he has "tried very hard to keep this process from getting contentious."

"All I can say at this point is that I promise that I am not going away, and that I believe the village board will come through for the people, and take on the issue of my new grocery store proposal," said Mendelson.

Westhampton Beach Patricia DiBenedetto said trustees plan to re-read the village's master plan in an effort to decide what to do next.

Related Reading:

• Westhampton Beach Property Owner Looks For Support for New Supermarket
• Letter to the Editor: Village Board Should Hear Pros and Cons of Supermarket Proposal
• Fight For Westhampton Beach Supermarket To Hit Internet Talk Show
• Supermarket Developer Requests Zone Change
• Supermarket Developer: 'I Will Take My Fight to the People'
• Supermarket Developer Submits New Proposal To Westhampton Beach Village
• Supermarket Developer: 'Here We Go Again'
• Developer Looks For Public Support With Online Petition
• Developer Calls for Resignation of Westhampton Beach Trustee
• Supermarket Developer: 'Give the Public a Chance to Weigh In'
• Developer Won't Put the Breaks On Supermarket Project
• Westhampton Beach Village Not Rushing Supermarket Proposal
• Fight Over Westhampton Beach Supermarket Continues

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