Town adopts two-hour parking limits downtown to ease summer congestion

The Riverhead Town Board voted to adopt a local law amending chapter 289-17 to impose a two-hour parking limit between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. on roughly 30 parking stalls behind the restaurant identified in the agenda packet and on a lot running from East Main Street toward McDermott Avenue.

Counselor Howard explained the changes as a response to “parking that’s been taking place street side … that creates a dangerous condition on the roadway,” and staff said enforcement will be handled by TCO officers who patrol parks, beaches and recreation sites and cite violations. Councilman Rothwell told the board the change was intended to “provide immediate relief to the businesses that are down there” during the busy season.

The board left a related public hearing on parking prohibitions (Sound Avenue south side) open for written comment until July 31, but moved to close the hearing on the time‑limit amendment before taking a vote to adopt the local law. Members voted in favor during roll call; the motion to close the hearing and adopt the ordinance carried unanimously in the recorded vote.

Why it matters: downtown merchants and the town’s parking committee requested short-term measures to prevent long-term all-day parking by non-shoppers. The ordinance creates clear enforceable hours but does not change enforcement staffing levels; residents asked for clarity on long-term parking solutions and garage planning at the same meeting.