Code change for Riverhead excavations OKd

Riverhead’s town board has approved a code change that will keep developers from getting a permit to excavate land — taking out sand or top soil — without first getting a site plan or subdivision plan, and then getting a building permit or foundation permit.

The code change also allows the town to limit how much material can be excavated in cases where construction is expected to take place in phases over several years.

The change, approved 5-0 at Tuesday night’s town board meeting, also covers loam, gravel, earth and wood, stumps and timber, either in its natural state or processed into wood chips.

Applicants also are required to have a professional engineer certify that the amount of material being excavated must be removed in order for the proposed project to be constructed.