Proposed Bridgehampton Post Office Expansion
Stop Signs Requested at Train Trestle adjacent the Train Station
Bridgehampton Gateway/Barnes & Noble-Carvel Shopping Center Development
Traffic Safety on Scuttlehole Road
Pedestrian Safety on Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton Village
Demolition of Historic Ocean Road House Without Permit
Southampton Town Transportation Study
Flooding on Millstone Road at Scuttlehole
Jitney/Bus Stop at Community House
Proposed Ocean Road Beach
Road Maintenance & Potholes
East Hampton Airport Noise
Groundwater Plan & Transfer of Development Credits
New Southampton Town Sign Legislation
Bridgehampton Hamlet Study
Sayre Fields Preservation
Pedestrian Danger Crossing Montauk Highway at Bridgehampton
National Bank
Morriss Center (Hampton Day School) Expansion Plans
Town Acquisition of Hopping Property on Montauk Highway & Ocean
Road
Maintenance of Public Restrooms in Bridgehampton Village
Proposed Bridgehampton Post Office
Expansion
Resolution/Updates:
The US Postal Service and the owner of the
property decided to withdraw their ZBA application for expansion and to halt any
current plans. At a future date, when they explore expansion, they will
bring preliminary plans to the CAC for discussion. The property owner asked that
the ZBA cancel the granted variance. The CAC has requested that the ZBA forward
applications of relevance to the Bridgehampton community to the CAC for
preliminary comment.
Issue:
The property owner of the Bridgehampton Post office filed an application with
the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance for expansion of the building.
The application asks for expansion far forward, almost to the sidewalk.
The community was concerned that this was out of character with the village and
that there were opportunities for expansion to the rear of the property.
Although the property owner posted the application with proper notice, community
members were unaware of the application and no one turned out to speak at the
ZBA public hearing. The CAC became aware of the application after the ZBA
closed the public comment period. The CAC requested that the ZBA reopen the
application to public comment but the ZBA refused.
CAC Discussion:
The CAC was grateful to both the property owner and the U.S. Postal Service for
offering to review the plans with the community. Although the application and
granted variance was given up, both parties have stated that they will review
any future plans with the community. The CAC was concerned about future
ZBA applications and the community notification process.
Stop Signs Requested at Train Trestle adjacent the Train Station
Resolution/Updates:
By a resolution by Councilperson Nancy Graboski,
stop signs were installed in Fall 2005.
Issue:
The railroad trestle at Butter/Mitchel's Lane is an extraordinarily hazardous
intersection with limited sightlines, a dangerous curve and a one-lane pass. It
is almost impossible for a pedestrian to safely walk under the trestle to the
station. The trestle needs reengineering to properly correct, but a a stop-gap
measure, the CAC has requested stop signs.
CAC Discussion:
The dangerous intersection limits walking and bicycling access to the
village.
Bridgehampton Gateway/Barnes & Noble-Carvel Shopping Center Development
Resolution/Updates: A disputed parcel of land in the center of the
development is for sale. The Town of Southampton is currently preparing a new
proposed PDD for the site.
Issue:
Several commercial parcels of land owned by Barnes & Noble and Siwicki/Conner
Real Estate sit undeveloped across from Bridgehampton Commons. The Town has
identified this site for development as a Planned Development District (PDD).
With urban planning consultants the Town has created several plans for the site
and has been negotiating with the property owners for more than a year. In
Summer 2005, the Town learned that one parcel of the land as been owned by a
third party for several years. The third party purchased the land from
Suffolk County as a foreclosure when Barnes & Noble failed to pay taxes.
CAC Discussion:
The CAC is following this site closely because any development will have a
profound effect on the future of Bridgehampton.
Traffic Safety on Scuttlehole Road
Resolution/Updates:
In October 2005, a roundabout is being installed at Butter Lane/Scuttlehole and
the corner configuration is being changed at Millstone/Scuttlehole.
Issue: Scuttlehole Road has several dangerous intersections which have been the site of regular accidents. Those who drive that road know the dangers of limited-sight curves and fast moving traffic. August 2003 was the date of the last fatality there.
CAC Discussion: Town Board member Steve Kenny met with the CAC to address actions the Town is taking to improve the situation. The CAC is deeply concerned and asked that all appropriate measures be taken to ensure road safety. The CAC requested that the town look at various solutions including improved line of view, speed, enforcement, etc.
Pedestrian Safety on Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton Village
Resolution/Updates:
In September 2005, the crosswalk was installed. It was reported at the October
2005 CAC meeting that it was installed improperly and that it would have to be
redone. It was requested that, similar to the other crosswalks, cones be added
to identify it.
Issue: There is a long stretch in Bridgehampton Village where there is no crosswalk. Pedestrians routinely cross in the location near the Presbyterian Church. The CAC has requested that a crosswalk be installed.
CAC Discussion:
As a state highway, the State must grant the crosswalk. Town Board member Steve
Kenny requested that Assemblyman Fred Thiele request the crosswalk. There
was community frustration that it took so long to request/approve the crosswalk
from the State.
Demolition of Historic Ocean Road House Without Permit
Southampton Town Transportation Study
Flooding on Millstone Road at Scuttlehole
Jitney/Bus Stop at Community House
Proposed Ocean Road Beach
Road Maintenance & Potholes
Groundwater Plan & Transfer of Development Credits
New Southampton Town Sign Legislation
Description: The Town of Southampton has conducted a Hamlet study in Bridgehampton to be included as part of the Town of Southampton Comprehensive Plan. The Plan makes recommendations on zoning and areas for further study that affect business zoning, traffic, sites for community housing and other issues along the Montauk Highway corridor. The Plan was first introduced in draft to the community in 200x. The Town Board plans adopted the Study at its February 24, 2004 meeting.
CAC Discussion: It is the overall opinion of the CAC that Bridgehampton has more growth, density and traffic than it can currently accommodate. The CAC requests that no measures be taken which will increase the already expanding populate. There has been a huge outcry in the community regarding the issues of community housing—the Study offers up several locations for community housing (including Sayre Fields). The primary objection is to building density, rather than protecting the few remaining farm fields in the community. “Save the Hamlet Fields” association has arisen in objection to the identification of Sayre Fields for high-density housing.
Resolution/Updates:
The bulk of this property was purchased by the
Town with Community Preservation Fund.
Issue:
Sayre Fields, a 22-acre parcel in the center of Bridgehampton (behind the
Catholic Church) has been continuously farmed since the mid- 1700s It
is one of the last remaining open spaces in the Hamlet and provides a sweeping
farm vista from Montauk Highway. A “Save the Hamlet Fields” association has been
formed to urge the town to purchase the property with funds from the Community
Preservation Fund (CPF). The owner wishes to develop the property
and build homes. The Bridgehampton Hamlet Study draft had provided the owner
with a density incentive opportunity with the addition of affordable
multi-family housing. The density incentive for Sayre Fields was removed from
the final draft of the Hamlet Study.
CAC Discussion: The CAC has recommended that the town aggressively pursue either full purchase or partial purchase of the property, limiting the number of houses that can be built. The CAC also requested that Sayre Field not be identified as a site for density and affordable housing.
Pedestrian Danger Crossing Montauk Highway at Bridgehampton National Bank
Resolution/Updates:
In the summer of 2004, a four-way traffic light
was installed at Butter Lane. While traffic now often backs up into
Bridgehampton Commons, this has had an overall traffic calming effect and made
it possible to cross north/south from Butter & Church Lanes.
Issue: The
President of the Bridgehampton National Bank has requested that a crosswalk be
installed crossing Montauk Highway in front of the bank. Currently, employees
cross the highway to Bridgehampton Country Market for lunch and he is concerned
about safety with fast-moving traffic. The Highway Department responded that
rather than install an additional crossing, they would add sidewalks to the
north and south sides of the Highway and convert the Butter Lane blinking light
to a push button-activated crosswalk.
CAC Discussion: The CAC voted to approve the addition of sidewalks and a push-button crossing. Concern was raised that people would still cross in front of the bank and not venture to the Butter Lane crossing.
Morriss Center (Hampton Country Day) Expansion
Resolution/Updates:
There are no pending plans for the expansion of
the Morriss School. The Morriss Center withdrew its' 2004 application for
expansion.
Issue:
There was community concern about an application
with the Planning Board for expansion of the school facilities. Plans had included
several new buildings, parking lots, athletic facilities and a performing arts
center.
CAC Discussion: Board members have said that they will approach the CAC and community groups to discuss any future plans. The CAC met with board members from the Morriss Center to discuss the prior application. The CAC is concerned about development of this piece of farmland in a residential farming area. While the CAC applauds efforts to strengthen the school’s curriculum and facilities, the CAC is concerned that a boarding school will add considerable to the traffic in this residential street. More information (frequency of events, capacity etc.) is needed regarding the performing arts center in order to understand the community impact.
The CAC has met with the Save the Farmland
committee—a group of neighbors who are concerned about excessive development on
this parcel of land. The primary concerns center around increased traffic and
parking, night lighting changing the evening scenery, overbuilding on the 50
acre parcel and unexplored impact of a performing arts center.
Town Acquisition of Hopping Property on Montauk Highway & Ocean Road
Resolution/Updates:
The Town has removed the unsightly gas station structure from the front of the
property. A proposed plan for the park was unveiled at a dedication
ceremony in September 2005.
Issue:
In 2004, the Town
of Southampton in cooperation with the Bridge Hampton Historical Society
acquired the Hopping House and property at the corner of Ocean Road and Montauk
Highway. The property was acquired with funds from the Community
Preservation Fund and money privately raised by Town Board Member Dennis Suskind
and citizens throughout Southampton.
The 1840 Greek revival-style house retains many of its' architectural elements
and will be restored. The Historical Society will restore the house and
operate it as a museum and research center. The 5.6 acre property will be
used as a Town park.
CAC Discussion: The CAC applauded the efforts of the Town and Dennis Suskind to purchase the property. Extensive fundraising will be needed for the restoration of the house.
Background:
Lecture—Legacy of Nathaniel Rogers (Artist & 19th Century Owner of Hopping House)
Maintenance of Public Restrooms in Bridgehampton Village
Resolution/Updates:
There have been no reports of maintenance issues to the CAC in 2005.
Issue: In 2001 the Town constructed
public restrooms in the parking lot in the central retail area. Residents
and business owners have expressed concern that the restrooms and landscaping
around the restrooms have not been maintained.
CAC Discussion: The restroom interiors are maintained by the Town Department of General Services. They employ a local cleaning contractor who cleans and maintains the restrooms year-round. Any mechanical/building problems are fixed by the Department of Parks & Recreation by request of the Department of general Services. restrooms are cleaned daily, on a year-round basis, and twice a day in the summer season. Please report any problems to the Department of General Services, 631-287-5750. Regarding the landscaping and trash removal in the parking lot, General Services is working with Board Member Dennis Suskind and area businesses to rehab the area.