Neighbors Seeing Red Over Planned Vineyard Near Elementary School In Northport

NORTHPORT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Opposition is heating up in one Long Island community against a proposed new vineyard.

As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, Fred and Lisa Giachetti hope to turn an abandoned farm in Northport into a bucolic vineyard, following in a family tradition.

"My family has been making wine for hundreds of years over in Italy," said Lisa.

The couple's vision is Del Vino vineyard, turning an old farmhouse into a wine tasting room surrounded by 10 acres of grape vines.

"It is preserving the green belt that we hope will be here for many years to come," said Fred.

"We thought a quaint vineyard would be a nice addition to a community like this," said Lisa.

But some neighbors say the plan has left them with a bad taste in their mouths.

"It's not quaint. It looks like a catering hall," said Northport resident Joy Clenaghan.

That's because the land sits next door to Norwood Avenue Elementary School, Gusoff reported.

"A lot of people, they don't just take one or two sips," said one resident.

"These people are not going to be completely sober probably," said another resident.

The law bans businesses with a liquor license less than 200 feet from a school. The Norwood Avenue school building is further away than that, but still, Alice Abbate fears for the safety of the children, traffic and noise from parties.

"This is a residential neighborhood and this is zoned for residential living and not for commercialization," Abbate said.

Hundreds have signed an online petition, calling on the Town of Huntington to reject the site plan.

"No doubt, there are many concerns with this project," said Huntington Town Supervisor Frank Petrone.

The town is working with the school district, state and county to review already issue liquor and agriculture licenses.

"We're trying to address all their concerns; for instance, hours of operation, the school district was very concerned about, but wineries are not open at 8 o'clock in the morning," said Petrone.

The Giachettis said they understand neighbors concerns and want to work with them to make it a place they welcome and enjoy.

But neighbors said they hope it dies on the vine.

"The health, well-being and safety of our student is our first priority. The Distrcit continues to work with legal counsel and communicate with town and state officials to determine the best possible outcome that would maintain the welfare of our students," Northport- East Northport Schools Superintendent Robert Banzer said in a statement.

The Northport - East Northport School District has retained an attorney who said they are vehemently opposing the plan.