By Carolyn Thorenz

RIVERHEAD--Southampton residents trying to be neighborly warned the Riverhead school board of zoning changes that could have major impact on the district.

Eastport resident Diane Rennard told the board that Southampton Town's planned zoning code changes include high-density housing in the Riverside-Flanders area. Ms. Rennard, a former Flanders resident, said she still has family living in the community. She said she attended last week's school board meeting to inform the community of Southampton's proposed rezoning that would allow Hamlet Office/Residential and Hamlet Commercial/Residential (HO/HC) zoning in Riverside.

"This type of zoning would allow more density than the abundant quarter-acre housing that is currently in Riverside," Ms. Rennard said, "It's time to get informed."

Ms. Rennard said the rezoning would have a major impact on the school district.

"If the district is planning any school expansions, this type of rezoning needs to be taken seriously," Ms. Rennard said.

Southampton Town introduced the HO/HC rezoning in August. The town is currently holding public hearings in each of the town's hamlets. Flanders and Riverside haven't had their public hearings yet.

"Housing in Riverside will happen sooner than we can handle it," Ms. Rennard said.

Michael Brewer, president of the Flanders, Riverside and Northampton Community Association (FRNCA), said the zoning allows different types of housing in disguise.

"Whatever land is left seems to allow for more houses," Mr. Brewer told the board.

FRNCA has invited Southampton Town Supervisor Patrick Heaney to attend the next meeting being held at the Flanders Nutrition Center on Nov. 22 at 7:15 p.m.

According to Mr. Brewer, Mr. Heaney plans to explain the rezoning language to the community.

"It doesn't allow for more gas stations, which is good," Mr. Brewer said. "But it seems to allow for apartments and workforce housing that wasn't allowed in the highway business zone before."

Mr. Brewer said that he's skeptical at this point, but hopes that the supervisor's visit will help residents have a more informed opinion on the issue.

School board member and Flanders resident Chrissy Prete said that she has been fighting these high-density issues since 2000.

Ms. Prete said that an increase of housing in the Flanders and Riverside area would put a heavy burden on the Riverhead school district.

"It's why I ran for the school board," Ms. Prete said, "The public needs to realize that the towns and the school need to work together."

Interim superintendent Dr. Joseph Laria said that it's important for the school board to examine the master plans for Brookhaven, Riverhead, and Southampton to see how the district will be affected.

Information on the rezoning is available at the FRNCA website, www.southamptonwest.com.

Calls to Supervisor Heaney and the Town of Southampton Planning and Development Department were not returned by press time.