A Laurel couple hopes to expand their in-home shrimp farming project to a new indoor shrimp farm in the town of Southold.

Tess and Todd Gordon came to a town code committee meeting Wednesday to discuss the issue. One of the sites the couple was looking at was a nine-acre parcel on Route 48, which is zoned residential.

Neighbors to the parcel say more research must be done before the town approves their plan.

"Before we start aquaculture, let's make sure we know what we're doing," said George Aldcroft, of Peconic. "What the rules are, what the consequences to our water system, where do we want it to be located..."

Town Supervisor Scott Russell heard those concerns. He thinks it's unlikely the town will approve the shrimping project in a residential area.

The Gordons say their project is dead in the water until the town decides where they can start their business.

Before any changes can be made to the town code to accommodate a business such as shrimp farming, the town must hold a public hearing.

Town officials told News 12 that another code committee meeting will be held in mid-February to determine how much land is available in the town in each zoning category.