Long-running dispute over North Country Road house unit count continues; ZBA requests leases, photos and parking evidence

A contested interpretation over whether a house at North Country Road has three or four residential units continued at the Riverhead Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 10. Applicant Bruce Brenner (speaker 3), represented by Charles Cuddy (speaker 9), testified the property has been used as a four-family dwelling since the early 1960s and offered a 1976 survey and later appraisals and affidavits to support that claim.

Mr. Brenner told the board the house has "been 4 apartments ever since then," describing conversions shortly after his father acquired the property and asserting three rental units were consistently occupied while the family lived in the fourth unit. Counsel argued prior building-inspector statements and neighbor affidavits support the four-unit history; the applicant also said he had sought rental permits and certificates in past decades and encountered conflicting town records. Board members repeatedly asked for documentary proof — leases, photographs showing four kitchens, IRS or bank records that show rental income, dated surveys or curb-cut documentation — to corroborate the long history claimed.

Neighbor Justin Andrews (speaker 10) testified in opposition, urging the board to uphold the senior building inspector's determination and citing neighborhood impacts: "Parking is a huge issue on Locust Street," he said, and provided video evidence he said showed service vehicles unable to pass. Board member (speaker 2) recused himself citing prior involvement. After discussion the board kept the hearing open and adjourned the matter to Oct. 21, 2026, instructing the applicant to submit the requested documents and photos before that hearing.