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7_Economic Development Final 5-15 2019 CLEAN
SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate ThisdocumentwaspreparedfortheNewYorkStateDepartmentofState withfundsprovidedunderTitle11oftheEnvironmentalProtectionFund. EconomicDevelopment Final March11,2011 UpdatedMay15,2019 (incollaborationwithNelson,Pope&Voorhis,LLC) EconomicDevelopment 1 TheeconomicoutlookforSoutholdTownisaconcernofthecommunity.Toretainandenhancethe vitalityofthedowntownsandhamletcenterswhileavoidingretailsprawlisimportant.Theydesires toattractnewbusinessesthatwillstrengthenhamletcentersandprovidequalityemployment,while encouraginganenvironmentthatallowsexistingbusinessesandjobstothriveandmaintainsthe uniquenessthatisSouthold. ThischapteraddresseseconomicdevelopmentthatisappropriateforSouthold.Thefollowinggoals andobjectivesfortheTownarebasedonextensivecommunityinputandconsiderationofitshistory, previouseconomicdatacollectioneffortsanddevelopmentinitiatives,changingdemographicsand thesocio-economicstatusofresidents,aninventoryofitsbusinesses,andotherfactorsthataffectits economy.Theappendixtothischapter,Appendix5,isavailableforfurtherinsightintohowthese goalsandobjectiveswereformulated.Appendix5 illustratestheeconomicchaptermethodologyand includesthereviewofpastplanningandeconomicdevelopmentinitiatives,abusinessinventory,an industryprofile,updatedin2012,andaleakageanalysis. Background PreviousplanningeffortsinSoutholdTownhavesoughttostrengthenthedowntownareasand hamletcentersratherthanincreasetheintensityofusesoutsideofthoseareas.Theruralcharacterand agriculturaluseofmuchofitslandtogetherwiththevitalityofthehamletcentersrepresentthecurrent characteroftheTown.IndustriallanduseintheTownissituatedeitherproximatetohamletareas,or inareasoftheTownthatprovidedroadand/orrailaccessaswellasanestablishedlandusepattern thatmakesanareaappropriateforcontinuedindustrialuseandexpansion. Industrialandcommercialzoningdistrictsprovideforimportantlandusesthatservemanyneeds withinthecommunityandtheregion.Theyareseenasbeneficialbecausetheyareessentialtoastrong taxbasefortheTown. Commercial/industriallandsresultin: •Ahighertaxbase,whichhelpssupportschoolbudgets(approximately60percentofthetotal taxlevyisschooldistricttaxes); •Employmentcreationwithinthecommunity;and •Provisionofconsumerandservicebusinessneedswithinthecommunity. TodeterminehowtheTown’sexistingzoningcouldrelatetothefuturepotentialchangesinland use,andinturn,thefutureoftheTown’seconomy,theTownperformedazoningandbuildout analysisforcommercialandindustrialparcelsasafirststep.Thisanalysisrevealedthatthehamlets ofCutchogue,Southold,andMattituck/Laurelhavethehighestpotentialforincreasingtheamount ofcommercial/industrialsquarefootagesofbuildingarea.Thistopicisdescribedinmoredetailin Chapter3,“LandUse&Zoning.” EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 2 ThetaxbaseanalysisusedtoassessthefiscalneedsoftheTownanditsschooldistrictsprovideda comprehensivelookattheexistinglandusesandtaxbase,taxrates,budgets,assessedvaluation,and otherfiscaldataspecifictoschooldistrictsandothertaxingjurisdictions.Thisanalysisindicatedthat theTown’staxbaseappearedtobesound,withahealthybalanceofresidentialandnon-residential uses.SoutholdTownhasestablishedanoptimalmixofbusinesses,andindustriallyzonedbusinesses. Theanalysisalsofoundthatitwasnotlikelythattheexistingzoningmixwouldhavemajor implicationsforthetaxbase.Areassessmentofthetaxbaseisrecommendedpriortoanymajor changestothecommercialandindustrialzoningdistricts. GOALSANDOBJECTIVES Goal1 Encouragenewandfacilitatethegrowthofexistingbusinesssectors–including agriculture,aquaculture,healthcare,renewableenergy,tourism,light industrial,retail/service-based,andthemaritime-relatedindustry–thatpursue stableandsustainableemployment. Objectives: 1.SupporttheworkoftheSoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee toensuresuccessfulimplementationoftheTown’seconomicgoalsand objectives. SoutholdTowndoesnotcurrentlyhaveadepartmentwithprimaryresponsibilityforeconomic development.Assuch,itisrecommendedthattheTowncontinuetosupporttheworkoftheir EconomicDevelopmentCommittee,whichisresponsibleforthesuccessfulimplementationof thegoalsandobjectivesinthischapteroftheComprehensivePlan,aswellasothereconomic developmentinitiativesinthefuture. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:MattituckChamberofCommerce,NorthForkChamberofCommerce, ChamberofCommerceofEasternConnecticut,IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland), FishersIslandFerryDistrict,SoutholdBusinessAlliance,NorthForkPromotionCouncil,Long IslandFarmBureau,LongIslandWineCouncil,localschooldistricts,localbusinessesand representativesfromarangeofindustries,andinterestedtownresidents,includinghighschool students,andarepresentativefromtheVillageofGreenport 2.DevelopaformalBusinessRetentionandExpansionProgramthroughtown government. EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 3 TheabilityoftheTowntoretainbusinessesisofteneasierthanattractingnewbusinessestotown. Town-wideeffortsinbusinessattractionandretentionshouldemployasimilarfocus,anda BusinessRetentionandExpansionProgramwouldsetouttoaccomplishthis. ABusinessRetentionandExpansionProgramwouldseektoidentifyandunderstandtheissues andobstaclesfacedbyavarietyoflocalbusinessesintheTown,throughaseriesofdetailed surveys,interviews,meetings,andorganizationofrepresentativesfromkeybusinessowners throughouttheTown.Theprogramwillassistinunderstandingtheimmediateconcernsoflocal businessownersseekingtoimprovetown-wideeffortstoretainandencouragegrowth. CoordinationwithofficialsfromtheVillageofGreenportwouldstrengthenthisprogram. Findingswouldbefunneledintoanactionandimplementationplanthatfocusesonthesuccessful retentionofbusinessintown.Thisprogramwillassistinmarketingandattractingnewbusiness totownandwillallowforanincreasedprovisionofstableandsustainableemployment opportunitiesforcurrentandfutureresidentsoftheTown. a.DevelopaformalBusinessRetentionandExpansionProgramspecificto FishersIsland. TheneedsofbusinessesandthelocaleconomyonFishersIslanddiffergreatlyfromthoseof mainlandSouthold.Assuch,itisrecommendedthataseparateBusinessRetentionand ExpansionProgrambedevelopedtoaddresstheseneeds.Inadditiontotheidentificationof issuesandobstaclesfacedbylocalbusinessesandabusinessneedsanalysis,thisprogram shouldincludeathoroughexaminationofthetypesofbusinessesthatcanbeattractedand retainedtotheIslandthatwillincreaseitsyear-roundpopulation. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,IslandCommunity Board(FishersIsland),SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:Localhighschoolstudents,FishersIslandFerryDistrict,Villageof Greenport,SuffolkCountyDepartmentofLabor,SuffolkCountyDepartmentofEconomic DevelopmentandWorkforceHousing 3.Strengthenjob-trainingandworkforcedevelopment Strengtheningjob-trainingandthedevelopmentofthelocalworkforceisnecessarytoensurethat residentsaretrainedinthefieldsthatalignwiththeTown’sestablishedandemergingbusiness sectors,includingagriculture,aquaculture,healthcare,renewableenergy,tourism,andlight industrial,retail/service-based,andthemaritime-relatedindustry.Thedifficultyinfindingskilled workersmakesSoutholdTownalessdesirableplacetostartorrelocateabusiness.Moreover,the agingworkforcewithinSoutholdTownraisesconcernsastowhatwillhappenwhenveteran workersretire.Thispotentialscenario,combinedwiththeneedtoreversethearea’s“braindrain,” couldbeaddressedwithanimprovedjob-trainingandworkforcedevelopmentprogramthat wouldassistwiththeprovisionofstableandsustainableemploymentopportunitiesforthediverse baseofcurrentandfutureresidentsoftheTown. EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 4 Programcurriculumshouldfocusonbolsteringskillsetswithinboththeestablishedindustries withintheTown,aswellastheup-and-comingindustriesthatinterestthenextgeneration.These includeagriculture,aquaculture,healthcare,renewableenergy,tourism,lightindustrial, retail/service-based(especiallyonFishersIsland,whereservice-basedbusinessessuchas housekeeping,caretaking,andcateringcomprisethestrongestindustry),andthemaritime-related industry.Inaddition,itisrecommendedthattheprogramincludeabranchspecifictojob placementforhighschoolandcollegestudents,withtheaimtoincreasethenumberof employmentopportunitiesforyoungpeopleSouthold.Suchprogramcurriculum–forbothadults andstudents–shouldincludethoseaimedatbothblue-collarandwhite-collaremployment opportunities.CoordinationwithofficialsfromtheVillageofGreenportwouldstrengthenthese partnerships. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee PossiblePartnerships:Localschooldistricts,VillageofGreenport,DowlingCollege,St.Joseph’s College,StonyBrookUniversity,SuffolkCountyCommunityCollege,UniversityofConnecticut, CornellCooperativeExtension,EasternSuffolkBOCES,BrookhavenNationalLab,Renewable EnergyLongIsland,SuffolkCountyDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandWorkforce Housing,SuffolkCountyDepartmentofLabor,NewYorkStateDepartmentofLabor 4.SupportlocalbusinessthroughthecreationofaBusinessand EntrepreneurshipCenter. Thereisaneedforaplacethatinterestedpersonsandexistingbusinessescouldgoforguidance instarting/expandingtheirbusinessintown.ABusinessandEntrepreneurshipCenterwould servetheseneedsbyassistinglocalentrepreneursandsmall-businessownerswithsuccessful marketingtactics,businessplanpreparation,fundingsources,incentives,andfindingavailable propertyintheTown–alloftheresourcesthatsmallbusinessesrequire,buthavedifficulty obtainingontheirown. Inaddition,theTownshouldexplorewhethersuchacentercouldbecoupledwithabusiness incubator,whichwouldallownewbusinessesandentrepreneurstosharethecostsofspaceand services.CoordinationwithofficialsfromtheVillageofGreenportwouldstrengthenthe formationofsuchacenter. Suchacentercouldalsoserveasacentrallocationtoassistlocalresidentsandemployerswith otherresourcespertinenttobothfindingemploymentandseekingqualifiedemployees.This wouldservetoassistseasonalworkers,seniorsre-enteringtheworkforce,andyoungpeople. Furthermore,thecentercouldserveasalocationforfuturejobfairs,conferences,and/orseminars dedicatedtogrowingthelocalemploymentbase. ABusinessandEntrepreneurshipCenterwouldlikelybemostefficientbytakingtheformofa satellitecenterofanothersimilarandestablishedcenteronLongIsland.Whenexamininga locationforthecenter,itissuggestedthattheTownconsiderhistoricpreservation,renovation, EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 5 adaptivereuseofanexistingstructure,orsharingspacewithanexistingorvacantcommunity building,suchasthePeconicSchoolortheHumanResourceCenter. a.ContinuetocoordinatewithSoutholdYouthBureauandlocalschool districtstocreateaprogramforhighschoolstudentsattheBusinessand EntrepreneurshipCenter. OncetheBusinessandEntrepreneurshipCenterisestablished,aprogramspecifictotheneeds andinterestsoflocalhighschoolstudentsshouldbecreated.Suchaprogramwouldteachthe studentsaboutentrepreneurshipandbusinessplanning,aswellasprovidementorship opportunities.Thiswouldattractstudentstolearnaboutthebusinessesintown,aswellas fosteradditionalemploymentopportunitiesforthem.Suchaprogramcouldaidinreversing thebrain-draineffectbyattractingrecentcollegegraduatesandyoungprofessionalsbackinto theTown’sdiverseworkforce. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:Localschooldistricts,SoutholdYouthBureau,SoutholdBusinessAlliance, VillageofGreenport,MattituckChamberofCommerce,NorthForkChamberofCommerce, ChamberofCommerceofEasternConnecticut,IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland),an existingSmallBusinessDevelopmentCentersuchastheoneatStonyBrookUniversityor DowlingCollege,SuffolkCountyDepartmentofLabor,SuffolkCountyIndustrialDevelopment Agency,SuffolkCountyDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandWorkforceHousing,New YorkStateDepartmentofLabor,UnitedStatesSmallBusinessAdministration 5.Addlow-impactcommercialusestotheparcelsfrontingtheVillageGreenon FishersIslandtoprovideincreasedopportunitiesforneededgoodsand servicesandbusinessopportunitiesandjobsforlocalresidents. FishersIslandhastwo“downtown”hamletcenters–oneattheareasurroundingtheferry terminalandtheotheralongtheVillageGreen.Accordingtoislandresidents,FishersIsland’s VillageGreen—hometothePostOffice,FireDepartment,liquorstore,BeachPlum,andseveral seasonalshops—islosingcommercialspacetoresidentialuse. Overthepastfewyears,severalbusinesseslocatedalongorproximatetotheVillageGreenhave beensoldandconvertedtoresidentialunits.Othershavesoldtheirbusinessesbutremainedin theirhomes,inessenceconvertingtheunittoonethatisstrictlyresidentialinuse.Inaneffortto retainthehubofcommercialactivityalongtheVillageGreen,theTownshouldexamineand amendthezoningforpermittedusesinthisareatoensurethatthedowntownsettingremains viableintothefutureasalocationfortheprovisionofretailgoodsandservicesthatsupportIsland residents. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown PlanningBoard,SoutholdTownBoard,IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland) PossiblePartnerships:N/A EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 6 6.Workwiththelocalchambersofcommercetodevelopadditionalincentives andprogramstoincreasemembershipandactiveinvolvementoflocal businesses. Localchambersofcommerceoffermembersnumerousopportunitiesandactivitiesincluding networking,advertising,andmarketing;member-to-memberdiscounts;workshops;guest speakers;communityevents;andformembersoftheChamberofCommerceofEastern Connecticut,accesstohealthcare.MembershipwithintheNorthForkChamberofCommerce providesmembersautomaticmembershipwithintheNorthForkPromotionCouncil,which providesadditionaladvertisingandmarketingtolocalbusinesses.Allmemberbusinesses–both onmainlandSoutholdandonFishersIsland–shouldcontinuetobeinformedofavailablebenefits andencouragedtotakefulladvantageofsuchresources. WhilethelocalchambersprovideanimportantroleintheTown’seconomy,continuedefforts shouldbemadetoencouragestrongerparticipationandcommunityoutreach.TheTownshould workinconcertwiththelocalchamberstodevelopadditionalincentivesaimedatincreasing membershipandactiveinvolvement. 7.Continuesupportingbusiness-educationpartnershipssuchasvocational training,job-shadowingprograms,internships,andothermentoring programsfocusedonthetargetedsectorsofagriculture,aquaculture,health care,renewableenergy,tourism,lightindustrial,retail/service-based,and themaritime-relatedindustriesthroughapartnershipbetweentheSouthold YouthBureauandlocalschooldistricts. ThethreemainlandhighschoolshaveformedaBusinessAdvisoryBoardthatworkswithlocal businessestoprovidestudentswithcareereducation.InadditiontoitspartnershipwithEastern SuffolkBOCES,theseprogramsallowstudentsadditionalopportunitiestoexplorecareersthat interestthemthroughavarietyofprograms.TheSoutholdYouthBureaushouldcontinuetowork withbothmainlandandFishersIslandschoolstoencourageadditionalpublic-privatepartnerships withtownbusinesses.Thelocalschoolsshouldworktobooststudentparticipationbyincreasing thenumberandtypeofopportunitiesbeingoffered,e.g.,educationalandtrainingprogramsthat appealtothenextgenerationwithinthetargetedindustrysectorsofagriculture,aquaculture,health care,renewableenergy,tourism,lightindustrial,retail/service-based(especiallyonFishersIsland, whereservice-basedbusinessessuchashousekeeping,caretakingandcateringcomprisethe strongestindustry),andthemaritime-relatedindustries.Targetedbusinessesshouldincludethe largestemployers,inadditiontolocalfarms,fishingindustries,marinas,wineries,and/or hospitality,restaurants,banks,automotiverepair,electricians,plumbers,HVACtechnicians,and otherservice-basedestablishmentsinSoutholdTownandGreenportVillage.Thiswillincrease thelikelihoodthathighschoolgraduatespossesstheskillsneededbyemployersandindustriesin townandthattheyconsiderreturningtoSoutholdupongraduation. EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 7 Inadditiontoshort-termjob-shadowingprograms,short-andlong-termemployment opportunitiesthatmatchstudentinterestswithemployer’sneedsshouldbeexplored.Year-round andsummerjobopportunitiesshouldbesurveyedwithinthecommunityandpostedwithinthe GuidanceOfficeateachofthehighschools.Thiscouldinturnfosteradditionalemployment opportunitieswithinavarietyoflocalindustriesfortheyouthinSoutholdTown,andmayhelpto reversethebrain-draineffect,givingstudentsanotherreasontoconsidercomingbacktotheir hometownaftergraduation. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdYouth Bureau,IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland) PossiblePartnerships:Localschooldistricts,YouthAdvisoryCouncil,BusinessAdvisoryBoard, VillageofGreenport,ChamberofCommerceofEasternConnecticut,MattituckChamberof Commerce,NorthForkChamberofCommerce,SuffolkCountyDepartmentofLabor,Suffolk CountyDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandWorkforceHousing,NewYorkState EducationDepartment,NewYorkStateDepartmentofLabor,EasternSuffolkBOCES,Cornell CooperativeExtension 8.Seektoreversethe“braindrain”throughtheattractionandretentionof recentcollegegraduatesandyoungprofessionalstotheTown’sdiverse workforce. Overall,themedianageofresidentsofSoutholdTownis10yearsolderthanthatoftheresidents ofSuffolkCounty,accordingtothe2010U.S.Census.TheTown’slargeseniorpopulationand relativelysmallpopulationofcollege-agedpersonsandyoungprofessionalshaveresultedinthe needfortheTowntodiversifyitspopulationforasustainablefuture. a.Providevariousjobopportunities–includingentry-levelandprofessional positions–thatmeettheneedsofrecentcollegegraduatesandyoung professionals. ItisrecommendedthatSoutholdTownpartnerwiththeTownofRiverheadandtheVillage ofGreenporttocreateajointtaskforcetofindwaystocreateasignificantnumberofregional entry-levelandprofessionaljobsforrecentgraduatesandyoungprofessionals.Thetaskforce couldsurveylocalbusinesses–includinglargeemployerssuchasEasternLongIsland Hospital,PeconicLanding,andotherbusinessesthatcatertotheTown’sagingpopulation,as wellaslocalfarms,fishingindustries,marinas,wineries,and/orhospitality,restaurants,banks, andotherservice-basedestablishments–abouttheirupcomingemploymentneeds,andthen workwithareacollegesanduniversities–includingSt.Joseph’sCollege,StonyBrook University,SuffolkCountyCommunityCollege,andUniversityofConnecticut–torecruit graduatestotheEastEndtofillthesepositions.Thisshouldberevisitedonanannualbasis toencourageaconstantinfluxofyoungerresidents. EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 8 b.Ensureanarrayofhousingalternatives–includingbothaffordableand workforceoptions–thatmeettheneedsofrecentcollegegraduates, youngprofessionalsandothermembersoftheTown’sdiverseworkforce. Adiversehousingstock–bothaffordableandworkforce,rentalandowner-occupied–is neededwithinallpartsofTown.Recentcollegegraduates,youngprofessionals,andyoung familieshavedifficultyaffordinghousinginSouthold,whichinparthasresultedinan invaluablelossoftalent,diversity,andresources. Tobecomeamorelive-workcommunity(atthetimeofthisanalysisin201155.8percentof residentslivedandworkedwithintheTown),theTownmustprovidehousingthat accommodatesthosewhowishtolivethere–especiallyrecentcollegegraduatesandyoung professionals.The2005HamletStudyandthe2007-08HamletStakeholderInitiatives identifiedprovidingaffordableanddiversehousingasapriorityoftheTown.Public participationeffortssuggestedtheneedforadditionalaffordableandworkforcehousinginall partsofTown.Todothis,theTownwillcontinuetoimproveitszoningcodetoprovidemore flexibilityforthecreationofaffordablerentalsandhomes,especiallyinthehamletcentersand HALOzones. c.Createasetofincentivesaimedatprovidingfinancialassistanceforfirst- timehomebuyers. Inadditiontotheprovisionofaffordablehousingoptions,analternativesolutionistoprovide incentivesforrecentcollegegraduates,youngfamilies,andotherstopurchaseahomein SoutholdTown.Suchincentivescouldincludeeasingthetaxburdenthroughpropertytax creditsanddeductions,areducedpaymentformunicipalservices,legalcounsel,and/ora reductioninassessmentthatwouldphaseoutoverashorttimeinexchangeforcollaborative volunteeringeffortswithvarioustowncommitteesand/orinitiatives. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown HousingAdvisoryCommission,IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland) PossiblePartnerships:SuffolkCountyDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandWorkforce Housing,NewYorkStateDivisionofHousingandCommunityRenewal,WalshParkBenevolent Association 9.EnsuretheprovisionofvarioushousingoptionsfortheTown’sgrowing seniorpopulation. AsthepopulationintheTowncontinuestoage,resourcesgearedtowardaretiredpopulation, namelyseniorhousing,willbeindemandthroughoutthecommunity. Adiversehousingstockforseniorresidents–bothrentalandowner-occupied,affordableand market-rate,aswellasnaturallyoccurringretirementcommunities–isneededwithinallpartsof Town.DespitetherecentconstructionofPeconicLandingandtheoperationsofotherassisted- EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 9 livingcommunitiesandskillednursingfacilitiesthatcatertotheTown’sagingpopulation,thereis anunmetneedforseniorhousing,especiallyaffordableoptionsforactiveseniorresidents.Many oftheTown’sseniorresidentsaremovingtoRiverheadandotherplacesfartherwestbecausethey areunabletofindsuitablehousinginSouthold.Inaddition,residentsofFishersIslandthatwere formerlyprovidedwithhousingthroughtheiremployersarebeingforcedtoleavetheIslandupon retirement,duetoalackofaffordablehousingoptions. TheTownshouldworktoensurethatsuchseniorhousingalternativesareprovidedthroughout thecommunity.Thiscanbedonethroughthepreservationandrenovation,reuseoradaptive reuseofhistoricandvacantstructuresandtheprovisionofincentivestopropertyownersand localdeveloperswhodoso.Whereverpossible,theTownshouldtargetnewseniorhousingwithin thehamletcentersandHALOzones. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown HousingAdvisoryCommission,SoutholdTownSeniorServices,HumanResourceCenter,Island CommunityBoard(FishersIsland) PossiblePartnerships:SuffolkCountyDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandWorkforce Housing,NewYorkStateDivisionofHousingandCommunityRenewal,SuffolkCountyOffice fortheAging,WalshParkBenevolentAssociation 10.Continuetosupporttheartsindustrythroughtheprovisionoflive/work spaceinappropriateareasoftheTown. TheartsplayastrongroleinthehistoryandtraditionoftheTown’scultureandlocaleconomy. Artisans,galleryowners,actors,musicians,painters,instructors,andlocalcraftsmenallenliven hamletcentersandenhancequalityoflife.TheTownshouldensuretheprovisionofstudiospace and/oraffordablelive/workspacesinappropriateareasoftheTown.Suchspacecouldtakethe formofstudioslocatedaboveotherusesorcouldbedesignatedvacantbuildingsconvertedto studiospaceand/orbusinessincubatorsforyoungartistsinthecommunity.Thistypeof developmentshouldbetargetedtotheTown’shamletcenterstoincreasevitalityandtheoverall strengthoftheindustryintown. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown HousingAdvisoryCommission,SoutholdTownBoard,IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland) PossiblePartnerships:EastEndArtsCouncil,NorthForkPromotionCouncil,LongIsland Convention&VisitorsBureauandSportsCommission,SuffolkCountyOfficeofFilmand CulturalAffairs,SuffolkCountyDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandWorkforce Housing,LighthouseWorks EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 10 Goal2 Promoteeconomicdevelopmentthatensuresanadequatetaxbasewithout compromisingtheuniquecharacteroftheTown. Objectives: 1.Promotepublic-privatepartnershipsandwaystoimprovethequalityoflife fortownresidentsthroughallfuturedevelopmentinitiatives. Public-privatepartnershipsareagreementsbetweenapublicagencyandaprivatesectorentitythat canvastlyrevitalizecommunitiesandtheirqualityoflife.Oftentimes,suchpartnershipsprovide improvedlevelsofserviceandqualityoflifeatreducedcosttotowngovernment.Successful partnershipscanresultinagreaterlevelofpublicsafety,health,educationalopportunity, transportationoptions,infrastructureimprovements,andcommunityrevitalization. Agoodexampleofasmallbutsuccessfuldesign-relatedpublic-privatepartnershipinSouthold TownisthepublicsquarebetweenthemunicipalparkinglotandtheformerCapitalOneBank buildingonPikeStreetinMattituck.This“pocketpark”includeslandscaping,sittingareasand tableswithbuilt-inchecker/chessboards.TheTownshouldworkwithprivatedevelopersto ensurethattheseandotherfeaturesincludinglandscaping,seatingareas,sidewalks,and/or pedestrianaccessareworkedintoallfuturedevelopmentsseekingtolocateinSouthold. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown ArchitecturalReviewCommittee,SoutholdTownRecreationDepartment,SoutholdTown PlanningBoard,SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:N/A EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 11 2.Determinespecifictypesofretailgoodsandservices,ifany,thatshouldbe activelysoughtoutthroughaseriesofpublicmeetingsheldbytown government.Differentiatethesebusinesssectorsbetweenthosethatcanbe supportedbyayear-roundpopulationwithinmainlandSoutholdandFishers Island. Aleakageanalysis(see Appendix5)waspreparedthatexaminesconsumerspendinghabitsand comparesthemwithsalesdataofvariousgoodsandservicestodeterminewhetherthedemand forvarioustypesofretailismet–town-wideandalsospecificallyonFishersIsland.Thefindings oftheleakageanalysisrevealedthatnumerousretailgoodsandservicesareunavailableor underrepresentedwithinbothmainlandSoutholdandFishersIsland.However,givenSouthold Town’suniquecharacter,mostofthisunderrepresentationisappropriate,particularlythatof largerretailstoresandwarehouse-typestoresthatarefoundinabundancewithinarelativelyshort drivetoRiverheadorelsewhere.Sincethetimeoftheleakageanalysis,completedin2010,online retailstoresandhomedeliveryhavebecomemuchmorecommon,makingitconvenientto purchasegoodsthatmightbeotherwiseunavailableintheimmediatearea.Theremaybe,however, aremainingunmetneedforlocalgoodsandservicesthatcanandshouldbesuppliedwithin SoutholdTown. Moreover,whiletherearedozensofindustries,e.g.,pharmacies,electronicsandappliancestores, andfamilyclothingstoreswithastrongdemandonFishersIsland,andshownasmissingonthe Islandbytheleakageanalysis,veryfewoftheseindustriesareappropriateforthecharacterofthe Island.Furthermore,mostofthesebusinesssectorswouldnotbeabletosustainthemselvesyear- roundonFishersIsland.Despitethis,islandresidentsindicatethatthereisasubstantialunmet demandforvariousgoodsandservicesamongtheIsland’syear-roundpopulation. Inanefforttodeterminewhichofthesebusinesssectorsshouldbepursued,itisrecommended thattheTownholdaseriesofpublicmeetingstogatherinputfromthecommunity.Onlythose businesssectorsthatarelikelytobeeconomicallyviableyear-roundandthosethatfitintothe communitycharacterofbothmainlandSoutholdandFishersIslandshouldbeconsideredfor furtherbusinessattractionefforts. a.Createaseriesoftax,zoning,andinfrastructureincentivestoencourage allnewbusinessestolocateintheTown’sexistinghamletcentersanduse existingbuildingswheneverpossible. InkeepingwithSouthold’suniquecharacter,itisrecommendedthatallnewbusinesseslocate inthedesignatedhamletcenters.NotonlywillthisincreasethelivelinessofSouthold’s downtowns,itwillhelpcurbsprawlandpreservetheopenspacethatissocriticaltothe Town’suniquecharacter. Inanefforttoencouragebusinessestolocateintheexistinghamletcenters,itisrecommended thattheTowncreatetaxandzoningincentivesthatwillbemadeavailabletoallbusinesses wishingtolocatedowntown,aswellastoexistingbusinessestoremaininthehamletcenters. ThesetaxincentivescouldincludePILOTprograms,municipaltaxexemptionsand EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 12 abatements,expeditedreviewprocessandwaivedfees,increaseddensity,coverageofchamber ofcommercemembershipdues,infrastructureimprovements,andotherincentivesdeemed appropriatebytowngovernment.Inaddition,theTownshouldcreatealternativeincentives aimedatimprovingpublicinfrastructurethatwillenhancelocalbusinessesindowntown settings.Incentivessuchasmunicipalparkingareas,pocketparks,sidewalks,and/orthe provisionofseatingareaswouldgreatlybenefittheopportunitiesforlocalbusinessesintown. TheTownshouldworkwithlocalrealtorstoensurethatthisinformationismadeavailableto allbusinessesexpressinginterestinlocatingwithintheTown. b.Encouragetheattractionandretentionoflocallyownedbusinesses. Southoldhasadistinctcharacter,completelyunlikeontherestofLongIsland.Southold’sis aquaintandcharmingsmall-townfeelcomposedofworkingfarms,scenicviews,commercial nodes,residentialneighborhoods,andover160milesofshoreline.Manyresidentshavelived inSoutholdtheirentirelifeandtakegreatprideintheircommunities.Townresidentshave indicatedthattheywouldrathershopatlocallyownedstoresthanatcorporatefranchises ownedbythoseresidingoutsideofthecommunity.Inanefforttokeepwiththischaracter andthestrongneighborhoodtieswhilealsokeepingrevenuestreamswithinthecommunity, itisrecommendedthattowngovernmentseektoencouragethelocationofadditionallocally owned,“Mom&Pop”establishmentsduringbusinessattractionefforts.Thiscanbedone thoughofferingsimilarincentivestothosedescribedinObjective2-2a.,above. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown PlanningBoard,SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:MattituckChamberofCommerce,NorthForkChamberofCommerce, ChamberofCommerceofEasternConnecticut,IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland), SuffolkCountyDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandWorkforceHousing 3.EncourageaclusteroflightindustrialusesattheareasurroundingtheNorth ForkIndustrialParkandtheCutchogueBusinessCenterwithinthe boundariesofexistingzoning. TheareasurroundingtheNorthForkIndustrialParkandtheCutchogueBusinessCenter–north ofCountyRoute48alongDepotLaneandCoxLane–isanindustrialhubthatishometomany successfulmanufacturingandproductionbusinesses.Thehubhasthepotentialtobeacenterof industrialactivityinCutchogue,duetoitsstrategiclocationoffRoute48,attractivedesign,and diversetenants.TheNorthForkIndustrialParkhasnotyetbeenbuiltouttoitspotential,butis anideallocationfornewindustryrelatedtotheproductionandmanufacturingofgoods,especially appropriatebusinessesandcomplementaryusesfocusedonthetargetedsectorsofagriculture, aquaculture,healthcare,renewableenergy,tourism,lightindustrial,retail/service-based,and maritime-relatedindustries. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTownBoard EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 13 PossiblePartnerships:SuffolkCountyDepartmentofLabor,SuffolkCountyDepartmentof EconomicDevelopmentandWorkforceHousing,SuffolkCountyIndustrialDevelopment Agency 4.Expandandimproveinfrastructureasappropriate,toserveexisting businessesandaccommodatenewgrowth. The2005HamletStudyandthe2007-08HamletStakeholderInitiativesidentifiedtheneedto improvevariouscomponentsoftheTown’sinfrastructure,beitaccess,stormwaterdrainage, pedestrianresources,andwalkablehamletcenters,bicyclepaths,and/oranimprovedpublic transportationsystem.Publicparticipationeffortsconfirmedtheneedfortheseinfrastructure improvementsthroughouttheTowntobetteraccommodatehamletcentergrowthandimprove circulationforbothresidentsandtourists.TheTownshouldworkwithSuffolkCountyandNew YorkStateDepartmentofTransportationtoimplementrecommendedactionitemsoutlinedin thesepreviousstudies. a.Ascommercial/industrialdevelopmentoccursinconformancewithtown zoning,maintainandprovideinfrastructureinamannerthatsupportsthe plannednon-residentialgrowthoftheTown. Non-residentialgrowthisneededtomaintaineconomicstabilitythroughtaxationofusesthat createlessofaburdenoncommunityservices,particularlytheschooldistricts.TheTown’s zoningencouragesresponsiblecommercialgrowthinhamletcenterareasandlimited commercialandindustrialgrowthinareasproximatetomajorroads.Supportforappropriate growthmaybeneededaslanduseproceedsinconformancewiththeTown’sComprehensive Plan.Thiscouldcomeintheformofpromotingmunicipalparking,sidewalkandpedestrian safetyinitiatives,appropriateaccesstopublicwater,townroadmaintenance,andrelated infrastructureimprovements.Furtherassistancecanbeprovidedbyfacilitatingregulatory programsthatsupportappropriatecommercial/industrialgrowththroughzoning,landuse incentives,communitydevelopmentactivities,andrelatedprograms. b.Exploremeasuresassociatedwithincreasingtheprovisionofshared serviceswithneighboringjurisdictionsaswellasbusinesseswithinthe Town,whereavailable. Thesharingofservicesisauseful,yetoftenoverlookedtoolaimedatincreasingtheefficiency andeffectivenessofmunicipalitiesandbusinessesalike.Thesharingofservicesisalready underwayinTown,withaprimeexamplebeingthesharingofpoliceprotectionbetween SoutholdTownandtheVillageofGreenport.Agreaterlevelofinter-agencycooperation wouldservetostabilizevariouscomponentsoftowngovernment,whilesavingtaxpayer dollarsandsecuringtheTown’seconomicfuture.Undersuchanagreement,funding,and resourcesofagivenservice–includingsnowremoval,codeenforcement,trashcollection, controllingstormwaterrunoff,theprovisionofwaterand/orsewerservices,andmaintenance ofparksandathleticfields,amongothers–issharedbetweentwoormoreparties. EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 14 ApossiblesharingofservicescouldinvolvetheprovisionofsewerinpartsoftheTownnear theVillageofGreenport’sboundaries.TheVillage’ssewersystemistheonlyoneinthe immediatearea,andthoughoperatingatonlyhalfcapacity,itdoesreachbeyondtheVillage boundaries.Itisinappropriateandunrealistictoextendsuchsewerservicethroughoutthe entireTown,givenitsruralcharacterandcost,bothenvironmentalandeconomic.However, theTownshouldexplorewaystopartnerwiththeVillageduringitscurrentupgradeprocess. Inturn,thiswouldallowforincreasedeconomicdevelopmentopportunitiesspecifically associatedwiththeattractionand/orexpansionofkeyindustriesinvariouspartsofTown. OtheropportunitiesforsharedservicesshouldbeevaluatedwiththeVillageofGreenport, RiverheadTown,thelocalschooldistricts,EasternLongIslandHospital,andotherlarge employersandorganizationsontheEastEnd. c.ExplorethepossibilityofdevelopingacommuterboatforFishersIsland residents. TransportationiscrucialtoeconomicdevelopmentonFishersIsland.FishersIslandFerry providestransportationtoandfromtheIslandandNewLondon,Connecticut,buttheferry servicetendstocatermoretothosewhodonotresideonIsland.Inaddition,thisservice doesnotofferadirectroutetomainlandSouthold.BeyondtheFishersIslandFerry,options forresidents’accesstoandfromFishersIslandarelimited.Acommuterboatwouldpresent vastopportunitiesformainlandresidentstoquicklyanddirectlycommutetoFishersIsland andviceversa.ThiswouldimprovetherelationshipbetweenmainlandTownandFishers Island,whileincreasingemployment,shopping,dining,andotheropportunitiesthatare currentlynoteasilyaccessibletotownresidents. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown HighwayDepartment,SoutholdTownTransportationCommission,SoutholdTownStormWater Run-OffCommittee,SoutholdTownParks,BeachesandRecreationCommittee,SoutholdTown DepartmentofCommunityDevelopment,SoutholdTownPlanningBoard,SoutholdTown Board,IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland),FishersIslandFerryDistrict PossiblePartnerships:VillageofGreenport,RiverheadTown,SuffolkCountyDepartmentof EconomicDevelopmentandWorkforceHousing,SuffolkCountyIndustrialDevelopment Agency,SuffolkCountyTransit,MetropolitanTransportationAuthority,NewYorkState DepartmentofTransportation,NewYorkStateOfficeofParks,RecreationandHistoric Preservation EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 15 5.CollaboratewithotherdepartmentsandregulatoryagenciesintheTownto increasetheefficiencyoftheregulatoryandenforcementprocess,including updatingtheTownCodetoreflectthemostcurrentlandusegoals. Amoreefficientregulatoryprocesswouldincentivizelocalbusinessestoexpandtheiroperations. ItwouldalsoencouragenewbusinesstolocateinSouthold,providingadditionalemployment opportunitiesforcurrentandfutureresidentsoftheTown.Inaddition,amoreefficient enforcementprocesswouldcontributetotheeconomicwell-beingoflocalbusinesses.Assuch, itisrecommendedthatSoutholdTowngovernmentworktoimprovetheregulatoryprocessto achievethesamegoalsinanefficientmanner. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown ArchitecturalReviewCommittee,SoutholdTownBuildingDepartment,SoutholdTownLand PreservationCommittee,SoutholdTownBoard,SoutholdTownPlanningBoard,SoutholdTown ZoningBoardofAppeals,SoutholdTownBoardofTrustees,IslandCommunityBoard(Fishers Island) PossiblePartnerships:MattituckChamberofCommerce;NorthForkChamberofCommerce, ChamberofCommerceofEasternConnecticut,SuffolkCountyDepartmentofHealthServices, SuffolkCountyDepartmentofPublicWorks,NewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmental Conservation,NewYorkStateDepartmentofTransportation 6.Createasetofarchitectural,landscapeandsitedesignstandardsthat reinforcetheTown’sdistinctcharacter.Applythesestandardstoallnew constructionandredevelopmentprojectsthroughtheTown’sregulatory process. AppropriatestandardsallowtheTowntoshapehowagivenpieceofpropertyisdeveloped,what itlookslike,andhowitwillaffectthequalityoflifeofnearbybusinessesandresidences.Design standardsoffertheTowntheabilitytoassistwiththedevelopmentofattractivebuildings, encouragecompatibilityofbuildingdesign,increasethestreetscapeandtheoverallpedestrian experience,encourageadditionalinvestmentamongexistingandpotentialnewbusiness,allwhile strivingtomaintainthedistinctcharacterofeachhamletcenter.Asetofstandardsshouldbe createdthataddressstreetlighting,signage,streetscaping,colors,pedestrianaccess,parking,and buildingmaterialsthatreinforcetheTown’sdistinctandruralcharacter.Thesestandardsshould focusonandcomplementtheuniquecultural,recreational,andhistoricresourcesfoundwithin Southold’scommunities. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown ArchitecturalReviewCommittee,SoutholdTownPlanningBoard,SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:N/A EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 16 7.Updatethebuildoutanalysiseveryfive(5)yearstotracktherelationshipof existingzoningasrelatedtodevelopmentandtheTown’staxbase,thus allowingtheTowntoevaluatewhetherthezoningsupportsthegoalsof viabledowntownsandasustainabletaxbasewhileretainingthecharacterof theTown. Thebuildoutanalysis,foundinChapter3,“LandUse&Zoning,”providesavaluabletoolto determinetherelationshipbetweendevelopmentpotentialandexistingdevelopmentonazoning districtbasis.Trackingthestatusofeachzoningdistrictandthepotentialfordevelopmentinthe Townatfive-yearincrementswouldprovideinsightintotheappropriatenessofexistingzoning, theneedforthepurchaseofdevelopmentrightsand/oracquisition,andwouldallowtheTown tomakeadjustmentsinprogramsasneeded,basedonthestatus.Moredetailsaboutthebuildout analysisareinChapter3,“LandUse&Zoning.”Inaddition,aTaxBaseAnalysisshouldbe conductedpriortoanymajorchangestocommercialzoningdistrictstoensureasustainabletax basewillbemaintained. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownBoard,SoutholdTownPlanningBoard,SoutholdTown ZoningBoardofAppeals PossiblePartnerships:N/A 8.Providefindingsfromthebuildoutanalysistoeachofthelocalschool districtssothattheymayaccommodateforsuchfindingsinfuturedistrict planningefforts. SchooldistrictscanutilizeinformationfromtheComprehensivePlantofactorintotheirlong- rangeplanningefforts.Estimatingpotentialtaxrevenueandpotentialschoolchildrengenerated fromfuturedevelopmentisimportantforuseinplanningtoaccommodateanticipatedgrowth. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:Localschooldistricts 9.Strivetomaintainandcreateahealthyenvironmentwithadedicationto environmentalsustainabilitythroughencouragingrenewableenergysources andgreenbusinesspracticesthroughtowngovernment. Environmentalsustainabilitystrivestomeettheneedsoftoday’sresidentswithoutcompromising theneedsoffutureresidents.Nowmorethanever,environmentalsustainabilityisanecessityfor thefutureofSouthold. Overthepastfewyears,Southoldhaswitnessedanincreaseinrenewableenergysourcesandgreen businesspractices,suchasbiodieselinhomeheating.Townresidents’desireforrenewableenergy sourcesincludingwind,solar,andothersisincreasing,inparttohelpoffsettherisingcostof EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 17 energy.Assuch,theTownshouldcontinuetofacilitaterenewableenergyinfrastructureand promotetheuseofrenewableenergyamongbusinessesandhouseholdsinSouthold. a.MandatethatallnewTown-ownedbuildingsbedevelopedunderLEED guidelines. LeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED)isaninternationallyrecognized greenbuildingcertificationsystemthatverifiesthatabuildingisdesigned,built/retrofitted, operatesandmaintainedusingstrategiesaimedatincreasingenergysavings,waterefficiency, andindoorenvironmentalquality,whilereducingcarbondioxideemissions,andimproving stewardshipofresourcesandsensitivitytotheirimpacts.Suchbuildingsaredesignedtolower operatingcostsandincreaseassetvalue,reducewastesenttolandfills,conserveenergyand water,behealthierandsaferforoccupants,reduceharmfulgreenhousegasemissions,qualify fortaxrebates,zoningallowancesandotherincentives,anddemonstrateanowner’s commitmenttoenvironmentalstewardshipandsocialresponsibility.1 Inanefforttosetan exampleforenvironmentallyresponsibledevelopment,theTownshouldmandatethatallnew Town-ownedbuildingsbedevelopedunderLEEDguidelines,andstriveforcertification wheneverpossible. b.Createarangeofincentivesforcommitmentofrenewableenergysources. InanefforttofurthertheTown’scommitmenttorenewableenergysources,itis recommendedthattheTowncreatearangeofincentivesforhouseholdandcommercialuse. Theseincentivescouldincludemunicipaltaxabatements,infrastructureimprovements,tax creditsforthepurchaseofenergy-efficientproductsandinstallationofsolarand/orwind- poweredenergysuppliers,aswellasthecreationofanannualTown-sponsoredprogramto pickupandrecycleoldappliances. Inaddition,theTownshouldworkwithLongIslandPowerAuthority(LIPA),FishersIsland UtilityCompany,andotherenergysuppliersandholdanannualseminar,stressingthe importanceofrenewableenergy,andprovidingtechnicalguidanceonsuccessfulconversion practices,aswellasefficiencymeasuresandincentivesavailabletoresidentialandcommercial buildings. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown BuildingDepartment,SoutholdTownAgriculturalAdvisoryCommittee,SoutholdTown RenewableandAlternativeEnergyCommittee,SoutholdTownConservationAdvisoryCouncil, SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:LongIslandPowerAuthority,FishersIslandUtilityCompany,NewYork StateEnergyResearchandDevelopmentAuthority,NewYorkStateDepartmentof EnvironmentalConservation,UnitedStatesGreenBuildingCouncil 1 UnitedStatesGreenBuildingCouncil. EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 18 Goal3 PreserveandimprovethevitalityofeachoftheTown’shamletcentersand HALOzonesaswalkablelocalbusinessdistricts. Objectives: 1.TargetnewresidentialandcommercialdevelopmenttotheTown’shamlet centersandHALOzones,andencourageinfilldevelopment,historic preservation,renovation,andadaptivereuse,wherepossible.Provide incentivesfornewdevelopmentand/orbusinessrelocationforthereuseand adaptivereuseofexistingstructureswithintheTown’shamletcentersand HALOzones. Newresidentialandappropriatecommercialdevelopmentshouldbetargetedtoeachofthe Town’shamletcentersand/orthesurroundingHALOzonesinanefforttocurbsprawland preservetheruralcharacterandvaluableopenspaceinotherpartsofTown.TheHALOzones wereidentifiedasareasforgrowththatarebasedonsmart-growthprinciples–topromote walkability,providearangeofhousingopportunities,fosterattractivecommunitieswithasense ofplace,andintegrateamixoflanduses,amongothers.Throughthecarefulplacementofnew residentialandcommercialdevelopment,theTownwillassistincurbingsprawlwhileincreasing thelivelinessoftheirdowntowncentersandpreservingtheruralcharacteroftheTown. PublicparticipationeffortspointedtotheneedfortheTowntoexaminewaystoreuseexisting vacantand/orhistoricstructuresinsteadofbuildingnew.Wherepracticable,theTownshould encouragenewdevelopmenttolocateinexistingvacantorunderutilizedstructures/parcelswithin theTown’shamletcentersandHALOzones.Incentivestodosocouldrangefromchamber membershipandshort-termtaxbreaks,todiscountedimpactfeesandexpeditedpermitting, municipalparkingareas,pocketparks,sidewalksandseatingareas,totaxcreditsandPILOT agreements,amongothers. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown HousingAdvisoryCommission,SoutholdTownBoard,SoutholdTownPlanningBoard,Island CommunityBoard(FishersIsland) PossiblePartnerships:SoutholdTownHistoricPreservationCommission,SuffolkCounty DepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandWorkforceHousing EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 19 2.Preparealistofprioritydevelopmentsites–specificallywithintheTown’s hamletcentersandHALOzones–thatqualifyforexpeditedpermitting, funding,andincentives. TheTownshouldpreparealistofavailablepropertiestoencouragethelocationoffuture businesseswithinexistingstructuresand/orvacantlandwithintheTown.Thislistshouldinclude theacreageoftheparcel,thesizeofthebuildingwhereapplicable,currentlanduse,zoning, availableinfrastructure,estimatedtaxes,andotherpertinentinformation.Thislistshouldinclude bothvacantlandsaswellasvacantbuildingsintheeachoftheTown’shamletcentersandHALO zonestoencourageadaptivereuse,historicpreservation,renovation,andinfilldevelopmentwhile avoidingthepotentialforretailsprawl.Thislistshouldalsoincludealistofprioritydevelopment sitesthatqualifyforexpeditedpermitting,funding,andincentives.Oncethelistisprepared,the Townshouldsharewithlocalrealestateagenciesandpartnerwiththemtoencourage developmentatthesesites.ItisfurtherrecommendedthattheTownrevisitthelistonanannual basisandreviseasnecessarytoaccommodatefuturechange. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTownBoard, SoutholdTownPlanningBoard,IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland) PossiblePartnerships:MattituckChamberofCommerce,NorthForkChamberofCommerce, ChamberofCommerceofEasternConnecticut,localrealtors,localtradeorganizations 3.Explorewaystoovercometheobstacleoflimitedsanitaryflowcreditson individualparcels,inanefforttohelpbusinessesandlandownersinhamlet centersexpandoraddaccessoryapartments. SuffolkCountyDepartmentofHealthServices(SCDHS)limitsthevolumeofsanitarywaste dischargedonagivensizedparceloflandto600gpd/acre(GroundwaterManagementZoneIV), providedpublicwaterisavailable.SCDHSwillpermittransferofsanitarycreditsthatresultinno morethandoubletheallowablesanitaryflowdensity,subjecttoapprovaloftheBoardofReview. TheTownCodeallowsthistransferonlyforhousingthatmeetstheTown’sguidelinesfor affordable,andnotforanexistingbusinesstoexpand(forexample,arestaurantwantingtoadd moreseats).Duetothesmallsizeofmanydowntownparcels,evenwithdoublethedensitythey maynotbeabletomeettheflowrequirementtoaddanapartment.Withtheadventofinnovative alternativeon-sitewastewatertreatmentssystems(I/AOWTS)becomingacceptabletothe SCDHS,theremaybeopportunitiesinthefuturetoprovidesomelimitedexpansionofthe amountofdensityonaparcelforthepurposesofprovidingaffordablerentalsovercommercial usesinthedowntown.Theremayalsobeanopportunityforexistingbusinessestobeableto expandusingthesesystems;however,inadditiontotheCountyallowingit,theTownCodewould havetobeamendedalso. a.Commissionasanitaryflowanalysisforeachhamletcentertodetermine thefuturepotentialofsanitaryflowcreditsavailableineachhamlet. EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 20 SCDHSrequiresthatanoverallgroundwatermanagementplandeterminetheallowableflow andflowthatcouldbeachievedbasedontransferofsanitarycredits,providednosignificant groundwaterimpactswouldresultfromtheincreaseddensityinhamlettowhichsanitaryflow istransferred.Asanitaryflowanalysiswoulddetermineifsanitaryflowcreditsareavailable withinthehamlet,oriftransferfromanotherpartofTownwouldbeneededtoincrease density.Townflowcreditsortransferofflowcouldbeusedtoincreaseseatsinarestaurant, oraddanaccessoryapartmentaboveastore.Thiswouldprovideeconomicstabilityand growthpotentialforbusinessesandlandowners,andwouldprovideanopportunityforneeded alternativehousingoptionsfortheTown’sdiverseworkforce. b.WorkwithSuffolkCountyDepartmentofHealthServicestoallow availablesanitaryflowcreditstobetransferredoverpropertylineswithin ahamletcenter. SCDHSregulatestransferofsanitaryflowcredits.Onceasanitaryflowanalysisisprepared foreachhamlet,coordinationwithSCDHSwouldassistindeterminingwhattransferof creditsmaybepossiblebetweenparcelswithinthehamletcenter.Whenanalyzingthe potentialforsuchtransferofcredits,itisimportanttoremainsensitivetocommunitieswith fragilegroundwatersystems;theuseofI/AOWTSwouldbeusefulinachievingthisgoal. Thiswouldfacilitatetheoverallobjectiveofallowingbusinessesandlandownerstoexpand businessandhousingopportunitiesinamannerthatwouldbenefitthecommunitythrough hamletgrowth.Suchbenefitsincludeadditionaljobs,taxrevenue,shoppingopportunities, businesscriticalmass,andhamletvitality–aswellasneededalternativehousingoptionsfor theTown’sdiverseworkforce–includingsmalleraccessoryapartmentsprovidingmore affordablehousing,“eyes”onthecommunity,andconsumerdemandwithinthehamlets. c.ReviseTownCodeSection117TransferofDevelopmentRights,toallow forcommercialusesinhamletcenterstopurchasesanitaryflowcredits fromtheTown’sbank. Section117intheTownCodeprovidesameansfortheTownto“bank”sanitaryflowcredits fromacquiredlands.Recognizingthatexpansionofbusinessopportunitieswithinthehamlets hascommunitybenefits(asoutlinedinObjective3-3b.,above),theTownshouldconsider amendmentofSection117toallowcommercialusestopurchasecreditsfromtheTownfor businessexpansion.ThiswouldproviderevenuebacktotheTowntofundfurtheropenspace acquisition,andwouldadvanceplanninggoalsoffacilitatingbusinessgrowthtoachieve economicvitalityinthehamletcenters. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTownBoard, IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland) PossiblePartnerships:SoutholdTownHousingAdvisoryCommission,SuffolkCounty DepartmentofHealthServices EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 21 4.Evaluateandupdatecommercialzoningdistrictusesandlocationsineach hamlettoensuredowntownsremainvibrantandusesareconsistentwiththe communitycharacterofindividualhamlets. TheTownseekstomaintainexistinghamletcentersandhastakenmanyinitiativestoward strengtheningthehamletsbydefiningtheseareasandtheirassociatedHALOzonesthroughthe 2005HamletStudy,whichinvolvedsignificantstakeholderinput.Areviewofhamletareasfound thattheremaybepotentialforretailsprawl,whichiscounterproductivetothisobjective.In Mattituck,itwasnotedthatBbusinesszoningonthewesternNewYorkStateRoute25approach tothehamletcenterallowedgeneralbusinessuse,whichwouldpotentiallydetractfromthe hamlet.Consequently,theeliminationofretailsalesandrestaurantusefromthisareawere consideredmoreconsistentwiththegoals/objectivesofstrengtheningthehamletcenter. Similarly,someareasofindustrialzoningwerefoundtobeantiquatedandconsiderationofzoning andusesmoreappropriatetothehamletwaswarranted.Reviewofexistingtownzoningmaps findsthattheareaeastofCutchogueonStateRoute25,andtheareanorthofSoutholdonSuffolk CountyRoute48bothhavemoderatelylargeareasofBzoningthatshouldbereviewedtoensure thatthebusinessgrowthwouldnotdetractfromthesetwohamletcenters. a.Considerexpandingthetypesofcommercialandindustrialzoning districts(and/orallowableorspecialpermituses),tomorespecifically tailorthetypesofbusinessestoparticularareasoftheTown,withinand outsideofthehamlets. InMattituck,itwasnotedthatretailandrestaurantsmaynotbeappropriatefortheBbusiness zone.Furthermore,itwasnotedthatamodifiedBzoneforneighborhood-typeusesmaybe appropriatetoapplytocertainareaswhereretailandserviceusesareappropriate,buta residentialcharacterismoreinkeepingwithsurroundingareas.Thiswouldtaketheformof theROzone,butwithmoreallowableuses.Finally,itwasdeterminedthatcertainindustries wouldbenefitfromtheabilitytosellproductsmanufacturedonsite,eitherbyallowingthis throughzoningorspecialpermit.Thesetypesofzoningdistrictsshouldbeconsideredona town-widebasisinordertoprovideawiderrangeofcommercial/industrialdistrictstofitthe needsofcertainareasoftheTown. b.PromoteablendofcommercialandresidentialuseintheHBzoning district;allresidentialusewouldcreateaschooldistrictdeficitin educatingthechildrenthatwouldresultfromanall-residentialscenario, andwouldalsoresultinalossofbusinessuseinthehamletswithina zoningdistrictspecificallycreatedforhamletbusinesses. TheHBzoneisoneoftheTown’szoningdistrictsthatallowbothresidentialandcommercial use.TheHBisthekeyhamletcenterzoningdistrictthatpromotesbusinessusesinamanner thataddsvitalityandamixofretailuseindowntownareas.IfHBzoningbecameall residential,itwoulddetractfromthecriticalmassofbusinessactivitythatdefinesthehamlets. Inaddition,suchanoutcomewouldaddschoolchildrenandwouldnotachieveataxpositive situationforschooldistricts.Considerationshouldbegiventopromotingresidentialuse EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 22 aboveretailstoreswheresanitaryallowableflowand/ortransferofsanitarycredit(within Townonly)wouldallowtherequisitedensityofuses.Businessincentivesshouldbeusedto attractnewbusinesstohamletcenters,andoverall,amixofbusinessandresidential,favoring businessoverresidentialshouldbeachieved. c.Maintaintheexistingacreagesofcommercial/industriallandavailablefor developmenttosupportthetaxbase,consumerneedsandemployment. AdjustmorespecificareasoftheTownwithrespectto commercial/industrialdistrictsasneededtoensurelanduse compatibility,whilemaintaininganetbalanceofcommercial/industrial usepotential. Thetownzoningmapsprovideabasisforsoundcommercialandindustrialgrowthplanning intheTown.ReviewofthezoningmapsfindsthatMarinedistrictsareappropriatelylocated inareasthatwouldpromotewaterdependentandwater-enhanceduses.HBzoningisusedin hamletcenters,andBbusinesszoningappearsinspecificlocationsasappropriatebasedon transportationaccessorexistinguses.Limitedbusiness(LB)isusedintargetedareaswhere appropriatetoallowresponsible,limitedbusinessactivity.ResidenceOffice(RO)istargeted forareasontheoutskirtsofhamletswherethereareexistingresidentialandofficeuses,and furtherROactivityisappropriate. TheLightIndustrial(LI)andLightIndustrial/Office(LIO)zonesareappliedtoexistinguses whereappropriateorarelocatedalongtransportationcorridors(MattituckonCountyRoute 48;northofCutchogueonCountyRoute48andwestofGreenportonStateRoute25)and railroadaccesslocations(Mattituck,Peconic,Southold,andwestofGreenport).Large, potentialgrowthareasaresituatedaroundthetownsolidwastemanagementfacilitiesand alongStateRoute25westofGreenport.Commercialandindustriallandusemustalsobe carefullysituatedinordertonotcauselandusecompatibilityissuesbetweenadjoininguses and/orcreatetrafficcongestion. Thesecommercial/industrialzonedareasaredispersedthroughouttheTowninamannerthat recognizestheimportanceofhamletcentersandprovidesforexistingandpotentialbusinesses commensuratewithTownneedsfromthebusinessandtaxrevenueperspectives,while maintainingdefinedhamletcentersandoverallqualityoflife.Asaresult,fewchangesare foundtobenecessaryotherthanthosenotedinobjectives4and4a.Itis,however, recommendedthattheexistingacreageofcommercial/industriallandbemaintainedandnot reduced,recognizingthatminorshiftsintypesandallowedusesinbusinesszoningdistricts maybeappropriateasnotedunderotherobjectives. d.Considerfurtherdefinitionofusesthatwouldlikelybesuccessfulin fulfillingcommunityneedsinordertoencouragetheseusesandprovide anoptimummixoflandusestowardmaintainingthevitalityofthehamlet centers. EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 23 Thischapterisinformedbyaneconomicstudycomponentreferredtoasaleakageanalysis, whichexaminesconsumerspendinghabitsandavailablegoodsandservicestodeterminewhat demandismetorunmetonatown-widebasis(see Appendix5).Therearedemandsforlocal goodsandservicesthatcanandshouldbesuppliedlocally.Someleakageisappropriate,for example,thatoflargerretailstoresalesthatcanbeaccommodatedinRiverhead,since SoutholdTownisnotappropriateforthesetypesofretailfacilities.Theleakageanalysis preparedfortheComprehensivePlanprovidesavaluabletoolthatenablestheTown, chambersofcommerce,orindividuallandowners,investors,andentrepreneurstoidentifythe typesofgoodsandservicesthatwouldhavethegreatestlikelihoodofsuccess.Theexisting “businessinventory,”in Appendix5,identifiestheexistinguseswithintheTown. Comparisonoftheleakageanalysisandbusinessinventoryyieldsinformationthatcanbe evaluatedonahamlet-by-hamletbasistofurtherdeterminesupplementalbusinessestofulfill unmetdemand.Notethattheinventoryandtypesofleakageincludingtheroleplayedby onlineretailersareconstantlyshiftingandshouldbeupdatedjustpriortothisevaluationbeing performed. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTownBoard, SoutholdTownPlanningBoard,SoutholdTownZoningBoardofAppeals,IslandCommunity Board(FishersIsland) PossiblePartnerships:SuffolkCountyIndustrialDevelopmentAgency,MattituckChamberof Commerce,NorthForkChamberofCommerce,ChamberofCommerceofEasternConnecticut, privatelandowners,investors,entrepreneurs Goal4 Preserveandencourageindustriesthatsupportexistingandfutureagriculture andaquacultureuses. Objectives: 1.PromoteanaffordablefarmlandprogramtobringnewfarmerstoSouthold. Thelackofaffordablefarmlandistheprimaryissueassociatedwithincreasingtheagricultural businessandbringingnewfarmerstotown.Affordablefarmlandisnecessarytobringthenext generationoffarmerstoSouthold,aswellastoencouragethediversityforcropsthatotherwise wouldbeinfeasibleforayoungorsecond-careerfarmer.Onewaytoovercomethisisthrough thedevelopmentofanaffordablefarmlandprogram. PeconicLandTrustinitiatedan“incubatorfarm”program,wherealargeplotoflandissplit;an establishedcommercialfarmingbusinessleasesthemajorityoftheland,andseveralyoungand second-careerfarmerseachleaseasmallone-tothree-acreplot.This“incubator”programis beneficialinthatitallowsyoungfarmerstheresourcestheyneed–aplotofland,utilities,and EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 24 othersharedresourcesincludingknowledgefromanestablishedfarmeronthepremises–without havingtotakeoutamortgage. ItisrecommendedthattheTownworkwiththePeconicLandTrustandtheLongIslandFarm BureauanddecidewhethertopartnerwithPeconicLandTrustandexpandtheexistingincubator program,orpursuethecreationofasimilartypeofprogram–whetheritbereplicatingsuchan incubatorfarm,orthroughthecreationofalandbankortheleasingofland–toberunbyTown government. Inadditiontoincubatorfarms,farmlandcanbemademoreaffordablebynarrowingthepotential futureuses.Forexample,theTowncouldpayanextrapremiumtopreservesomefarmland specificallyforgrowingfoodcrops,andinturn,thatfarmlandwouldbemoreaffordablefora farmerwhowantstogrowfoodcrops. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown AgriculturalAdvisoryCommittee,SoutholdTownLandPreservationCommittee/Department, SoutholdTownConservationAdvisoryCouncil PossiblePartnerships:PeconicLandTrust,LongIslandFarmBureau,LongIslandWineCouncil, CornellCooperativeExtension,FarmCreditEast–RiverheadBranch 2.WorkwiththeLongIslandFarmBureau,PeconicLandTrustandCornell CooperativeExtensiontocreatecommunityseminarsandeventsfocusedon prominentissuesincludinghowtostartupasmallagriculturalbusinessand wheretogoforhelporfindavailableresourcesandland. Thedemandforlocalproduceishigh.Tocatertothegrowingdemandforsmallagricultural businessesandtoincreasethesupplyoflocalgoods,theTownisencouragedtoworkwiththe LongIslandFarmBureautocreateseminarsandeventsonhowtostartupasmallfarm,where togoforhelporfindresources,availableland,andthelike.TheTownshouldpromotethe resourcesavailablewiththeLongIslandFarmBureauandPeconicLandTrust,includingthe abilitytomatchprospectivefarmerswithavailablefarmland,technicalassistance,andfunding whereverpossible. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown AgriculturalAdvisoryCommittee,SoutholdTownLandPreservationCommittee/Department, SoutholdTownConservationAdvisoryCouncil PossiblePartnerships:LongIslandFarmBureau,CornellCooperativeExtension,PeconicLand Trust,LongIslandWineCouncil,FarmCreditEast–RiverheadBranch,NewYorkState DepartmentofAgricultureandMarkets 3.ConsiderrevisingtheTownCodetobringbackthe“set-off,”andallowlocal farmerstosubdividetheirpropertybysplittingoffjustonelot. EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 25 Formanyyears,theTownCodeallowedlocalfarmerstosubdividetheirpropertybysplittingoff onelotforthepurposeofprovidingahouselotforafamilymemberorsellingonelottoearn extraincome.Thispolicyallowedmanytraditionalfarmfamiliestoavoidhighercostalternatives forhousing.Unfortunately,thepracticewasfoundnottobemeetingitsoriginalgoal,andwas consequentlyremovedfromtheTownCode.Housingforfarmfamilies,however,isstilla pressingneed,anditisrecommendedthattheprogrambere-writtenbackintotheTownCodein another,moresuitableformthatwillprovideasimilarbenefit.Overuseofthepracticemustbe avoidedasitcanleadtoagriculturallandbecomingdisjointed.Ifalotissubdividedforthis purpose,itisrecommendedthattheTownconsiderstrengtheningthisprovisionbyaddinga clausethatensuresthatthesubdividedlotremainstiedtooperationsoftheagriculturalindustry. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown AgriculturalAdvisoryCommittee,SoutholdTownLandPreservationCommittee/Department, SoutholdTownConservationAdvisoryCouncil,SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:PeconicLandTrust,LongIslandWineCouncil,LongIslandFarmBureau 4.Supportthelocalagriculturalindustry,andtheincreasedproductionofa diverserangeoflocalgoodsintheNorthFork. Currently,approximately150farmsoperateintheTown,withtheindustryresponsibleforcreating atleast1,000jobs.Southoldhasgainedareputationforproducingpremiumproduce,flowersand otherlandscapingmaterials,dairyproducts,seafood,andwine.Thestrengthandtheinter- relatednessbetweentheTown’sagriculturesector,restaurants,recreationalfacilities,andthe tourismindustrypresentamajoropportunitytoSouthold’seconomy. a.StriveforSoutholdTowntobecomeacenterofexcellenceforculinary experiences,throughencouragingcomplementaryusesandeconomyof scalebusinessestolocateintown. SoutholdTownshouldbedevelopedasacenterofexcellenceforculinaryexperiences, throughthecontinuedpromotionoflocalproducts.Awiderangeofqualityrestaurants,cafés, andspecialtyfoodstorescurrentlyexistandcomplementtheTown’sstrongfoodandbeverage industry.Continuedeffortsshouldbetakentopromotetheserestaurantsthroughfurther initiativeswiththeVillageofGreenport,RiverheadTownandtheNorthForkPromotion Council,LongIslandWineCouncil,andothermeansofpromotion. ThereisanincreasingdemandforusesthatwouldcomplementthestrengthoftheTown’s tourismandagricultureindustriesthroughtheprovisionofservicesthatpromoteeconomies ofscaleinSoutholdTown.Therehasbeenincreaseddemandforpeoplebuyingspaceintown andatthelocalwineriestomaketheirownwine.Withthisincreaseddemandmaycomea roleforcooperativewarehousinganddistributionspace.Moreover,theTownshouldseekto attractnewandappropriatebusinessesincludingsmall“country”hotels,bed&breakfasts, rentalcottages,andspecialtyfoods,aswellashigh-endtofamily-friendlyandeconomical EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 26 restaurants.Whereverpossible,thesetowneffortsandprogramsshouldbecoordinatedwith regionalinitiativesattheregional,county,andstatelevel. 5.Continuetocatertothe“locavore”populationthroughencouraginggreater participationinthecommunity-supportedagricultureprogram,inaddition topromotingthepurchaseofvarioustypesoflocalproducenativeto SoutholdTown. Thereisastrongdesiretobuylocalandsupportthelocalfarmingindustry.Whilemanyfarmsin Riverheadhavealreadydoneso,relativelyfewinSoutholdhavejoinedthecommunity-supported agriculturebandwagon.Localfarmsshouldconsidercreatingacommunity-supportedagriculture program.ThisprogramhasbeenextremelypopularwithresidentsthroughoutLongIslandand NewYorkCitypurchasinga“share”offruits,vegetables,eggs,poultry,andflowersfromEast Endfarms.Farmersareensureddemandfortheirproduct,andtheup-frontpaymentsbenefit localfarmersimmensely;customersarebenefitedwiththeconvenienceoffreshandoftenorganic productsdeliveredtothemonaregularbasis. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown AgriculturalAdvisoryCommittee,IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland),NorthFork PromotionCouncil PossiblePartnerships:LongIslandFarmBureau,LongIslandWineCouncil,NewYorkState DepartmentofAgricultureandMarkets,CornellCooperativeExtension,PeconicLandTrust, EastEndTourismAlliance 6.Broadenopportunitiesforlandownerstoexploretheinterrelationshipof agricultureandrenewableenergy. Publicparticipationeffortsindicatedtownresidents’desireforcontinuedenvironmental sustainabilitythroughrenewableenergysourcesincludingtheuseofwind,solar,andothersuch effortsintown.ItisrecommendedthattheTownpartnerwithlocalfarmersandagricultural landownerstohelptosustainagriculture’simportancewithintheTown’seconomy. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown AgriculturalAdvisoryCommittee,SoutholdTownLandPreservationCommittee/Department, SoutholdTownConservationAdvisoryCouncil,SoutholdTownRenewableandAlternative EnergyCommittee,SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:LongIslandFarmBureau,PeconicLandTrust,LongIslandWineCouncil, NewYorkStateEnergyResearchandDevelopmentAuthority,AmericanWindEnergy Association EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 27 7.ContinuetopursuerelationshipsthroughCornellCooperativeExtensionand otherkeyplayerstopromotetheTown’saquacultureindustry,andthe SoutholdProjectinAquacultureTraining(SPAT). AquaculturehashistoricallyplayedamajorroleintheTown’seconomy,buttheindustryhasfaced manyobstaclesoverthepastfewdecadesthroughoverfishing,browntides,andvariousnatural disasters.Continuedeffortsmustbemadetoensurethataquacultureremainsstrongwellintothe future. TheSuffolkCountyMarineEnvironmentalLearningCenterandCornellCooperativeExtension offerstheSPATprogram.Theprogramwascreatedtorestoreshellfishatahatcherythrougha community-drivenvolunteerprogram.Volunteersareabletoharvesthalfoftheshellfishfor personaluse,whiletheotherhalfisreturnedtothelocalwaterstorestorethepopulation. AccordingtoCornellCooperativeExtension,over400peoplehaveparticipatedintheSPAT program,andmillionsofshellfishhavebeenrestoredintothelocalwaterssincetheprogram’s inception.EffortsshouldbemadeonbehalfoftheTowntofostercontinuedpartnerships throughthisandotherprogramsofasimilarnature. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown AgriculturalAdvisoryCommittee,SoutholdTownConservationAdvisoryCouncil,FishersIsland HarborCommittee,IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland),SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:CornellCooperativeExtension,FishersIslandConservancy,PeconicLand Trust,LongIslandFarmBureau,PeconicBayAquacultureAdvisoryCommittee,PeconicEstuary Program,NatureConservancyofLongIsland,NewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmental Conservation 8.Considertheeconomicimpacttoagriculturallandownerswhenconsidering zoningactions. Agriculturallandownersmustbeabletosecurefinancingforequipmentandmanagementof ongoingfarmoperations.Oftenagriculturallandowners’equityisinthelandthattheyown;the highestandbestuseisconsideredforappraisalpurposesinevaluatingloans.Asaresult,landuse decisionsthatchangethehighestandbestuseofland,couldpotentiallyaffecttheabilityof agriculturallandownerstosecurefinancing.Thisshouldbeconsideredinthecontextofpotential zoningactions. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown AgriculturalAdvisoryCommittee,SoutholdTownLandPreservationCommittee/Department, SoutholdTownConservationAdvisoryCouncil,SoutholdTownBoard,SoutholdTownZoning BoardofAppeals PossiblePartnerships:LongIslandFarmBureau,LongIslandWineCouncil,CornellCooperative Extension,PeconicLandTrust,FarmCreditEast–RiverheadBranch,NewYorkState DepartmentofAgricultureandMarkets EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 28 9.ContinuetoexploreadditionalmeanstocontroltheTown’sdeerpopulation. Theagriculturaleconomyisnegativelyimpactedbythedeerpopulationthateatsthecrops.While SoutholdTowndidenactahuntingprogramonitspreservedlandtwoyearsago,additional measuresaimedatcontrollingthedeerpopulationshouldbeexplored. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTownDeer ManagementTaskForce,SoutholdTownAgriculturalAdvisoryCommittee,SoutholdTownLand PreservationCommittee/Department,SoutholdTownConservationAdvisoryCouncil PossiblePartnerships:LongIslandFarmBureau,PeconicLandTrust,NewYorkState DepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation Goal5 Preserve,encourage,andcontinuetosupportexistingandfuturemaritimeuses–including fishingrelatedindustries,marinetrades,marinebiology,marinas,recreationalboating supportuses,andrelateduses–asanimportantbusinesssectorwithintheTown’seconomy. Objectives: 1.MaintainconsistencywiththepoliciesadoptedundertheLocalWaterfront RevitalizationProgram. TheLocalWaterfrontRevitalizationProgram(LWRP)waspreparedin2005,andprovides strategiestoencourageandprotectthewaterfrontareasoftheTown.Itemphasizesthe importanceofcoastalzoneandtraditionalmaritimeusesintermsofthecommercialand recreationalqualitiesoftheTown.TheLWRPalsorecommendswaterfrontaccessandwater- dependent/water-enhanceduses,andprovidesanarrayofinformationrelatingtocoastaland town-wideresources.TheTownshouldbeconsistentwithallpoliciesadoptedunderthis program,asitpertainstoallfuturedevelopmentandmaritimeuses. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTownParks, BeachesandRecreationCommittee,SoutholdTownLandPreservationCommittee,Southold TownConservationAdvisoryCouncil,FishersIslandHarborCommittee,IslandCommunity Board(FishersIsland),SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:CornellCooperativeExtension,PeconicLandTrust,FishersIsland Conservancy,PeconicEstuaryProgram,NatureConservancyofLongIsland,NewYorkState DepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 29 2.DevelopandimplementHarborManagementPlansforalltowncreeksand harborstoestablishorderlydevelopmentoftheseareasandmaintainwater quality. AHarborManagementPlanisessentiallythewatersidecomponentofanLWRP–seekingto regulateuses,structuresandconflictsspecifictoagivenharbor.Harbormanagementplanshave beendevelopedforspecificwatersinMattituckandFishersIslandandagenericHarbor ManagementPlanwascreatedaspartoftheLWRP.ItisrecommendedthattheTowndevelop andimplementHarborManagementPlansforallotherkeytowncreeks,inlets,openwaters,and harborstocreateguidelinesandlimitsoncompetingusesofthewaterfront.Inaddition,such HarborManagementPlansshouldaddressappropriateeconomicdevelopmentpoliciesincluding theavoidanceofinvestmentinhighhazardareassubjecttocoastalflooding,waveaction,storm surge,andsealevelrise.Inturn,thiswillprovideforappropriatedevelopmentanduses,maintain waterquality,andallowfortheefficientuseofthewaterusesandnaturalresources. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTownParks, BeachesandRecreationCommittee,SoutholdTownLandPreservationCommittee,Southold TownConservationAdvisoryCouncil,FishersIslandHarborCommittee,IslandCommunity Board(FishersIsland),SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:PeconicEstuaryProgram,CornellCooperativeExtension,PeconicLand Trust,FishersIslandConservancy,PeconicEstuaryProgram,NatureConservancyofLongIsland, operatorsoflocalmarinas,NewYorkStateDepartmentofState,NewYorkStateDepartmentof EnvironmentalConservation,UnitedStatesPowerSquadrons,UnitedStatesCoastGuard Auxiliary 3.CreateaseriesofBluewayTrailsaroundmainlandSouthold. TheTown’swaterfrontincludesawiderangeofnaturalsystemsandrecreationalfeatures,arich historyprovidingculturalattractionsandavarietyofdiningandshoppingopportunities.A BluewayTrailisawater-dependentpathway,or“trail”thatconnectsthesepointsofinterestusing canoes,kayaks,andsmallboats.AseriesofBluewayTrailsshouldbecreatedthatstrivesto encompasstheentireTown’smainlandshoreline,startingfromthenorthshoreofLaurel, wrappingaroundOrientPoint,andbacktothesouthshoreofLaurel.Thiswouldenhancethe useofthewaterfrontandprovideagreaterappreciationfortheTown’sresources,whilelinking thewaterfrontandrecreationalfacilities,beaches,parks,commercialuse,restaurants,andother attractionsthroughoutTown.CoordinationwiththeVillageofGreenportwouldstrengthenthis initiative. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown TransportationCommission,SoutholdTownParks,BeachesandRecreationCommittee, SoutholdTownRecreationDepartment,SoutholdTownBoard EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 30 PossiblePartnerships:VillageofGreenport,NewYorkStateDepartmentofState,NewYork StateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation,NewYorkStateOfficeofParks,Recreation andHistoricPreservation 4.Consideramendmentstothezoningoflargermarinastobetter accommodateandpositionthemasaviableuseintheTown’seconomy. Largemarinasarefacingpressurestoexpandtheirservicestoincludeswimmingpools,restaurants, boatrentals,storagespace,andotherservicesthatcatertotheircustomer’sneeds.Inorderto accommodatethisdemandandcontinuetopromoteSouthold’straditionalmaritimeheritage,the Townshouldconsiderzoningamendmentsformarinasofappropriatesizeandlocationtobetter matchtheneedsoftheirclients. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTownParks, BeachesandRecreationCommittee,SoutholdTownZoningBoardofAppeals,FishersIsland HarborCommittee,IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland),SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:Localmarinas 5.PreservethescenicviewsalongtheTown’sshorelinethroughcontinued acquisitionofwaterfrontproperty.Seektobalancetheusesofsuch waterfrontpropertytoincludepreservedlandandarangeofoutdoor activitiesandpublicrecreation. WhileSoutholdTownhasdonewelltoacquirepropertiesforpreservationpurposes,public commentshaveindicatedthedesireforwaterfrontpropertyacquisition–includingforbeaches, parks,andotherareasofaccess.Ithasbeennotedthatboatingintownhasbecomemoredifficult duetothelackofaccesspoints.Assuch,itisrecommendedthattheTownexaminewaysto acquireadditionalpropertyalongthewaterfront.Thiscanbeusedforbothpassiveandactive recreationalpurposes,aswellasprovidingcriticallinkagesforthoseinterestedincomingashore forlunch,shopping,orrecreationalpurposes.Asthesepropertiesareacquired,theyshouldbe addedtotheTown’sseriesofBluewayTrails. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTownParks, BeachesandRecreationCommittee,SoutholdTownRecreationDepartment,FishersIsland CommunityBoard,SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:PeconicLandTrust,PeconicEstuaryProgram,NewYorkStateOfficeof Parks,RecreationandHistoricPreservation EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 31 6.WorkwiththeFederalandStategovernmentsandmunicipalitiestodevelop regionalfisheriesmanagementplansforcommerciallyviablemarinespecies locatedintheTown’swaters. a.CoordinatewiththeNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmental Conservation,andthecomparablestateagenciesinMassachusetts, ConnecticutandRhodeIslandtoestablishequitablelandinglimitsfor commercialmarinespeciesinStateandTownwaters. DiscussionsbetweentheTownandmanyofitsresidentshaveindicatedthatthereexist inequitablecommercialfishingandlandinglimitquotasandregulationsbetweenNewYork State,Connecticut,Massachusetts,andRhodeIsland.Thishasresultedinboatsfrom neighboringstateslandingmorefishandshellfishthantown-basedboats,intownwaters.In anefforttoleveltheplayingfieldandatthesametimeincreaseproductivityamongtheTown’s lobstermen,fishermen,andotherBaymen,itisrecommendedthattheTownworkwithNew YorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationandcomparableagenciesin neighboringstatestoestablishequitablelandinglimitsinstateandtownwaters. b.PetitionNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationto establishpatrolstoeliminatepoachingandtheftofgear. Poachingisalargeconcernthatresultsinasignificantlossofincometotownresidentsand Baymen.Assuch,itisrecommendedthattheTownworkwithNewYorkStateDepartment ofEnvironmentalConservationtoestablishpatrolstoeliminatepoachingaswellastheftof marinegearandequipmentfrombothpersonalwatercraftandcommercialboatsintown waters. c.WorkwithNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationto exploretheinstallationofanartificialreeftoincreaseboththefish populationandtheproductivityofthecommercialfishingindustry. Fishinginthebaysisnotasproductiveasitoncewas.Onewaytoincreasethisproductivity isthroughtheinstallationofartificialreefs,ormanmadeunderwaterstructuresmeantto imitatethebenefitsofnaturalreefs.Artificialreefsservetoattractfishfromnearbyareas, allowingsmallerboatstheabilitytoenterintowatersthattheywouldnototherwisebeableto access.Assumingtheyareinstalledcorrectly,artificialreefshavebeenproventohavea positiveimpactonmarineecosystems,whileincreasingthefishpopulation.Theinstallation ofsuchareefcouldhavetremendousbeneficialimpactsforboththelocalfishpopulationand Southold’sfishingindustry. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,FishersIslandHarbor Committee,IslandCommunityBoard(FishersIsland) PossiblePartnerships:SoutholdTownBaymen’sAssociation,FishersIslandLobstermen’s Association,FishersIslandConservancy,NewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmental EconomicDevelopment SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 32 Conservation,ConnecticutDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,MassachusettsDepartment ofEnvironmentalProtection,RhodeIslandDepartmentofEnvironmentalManagement, DepartmentofInterior,UnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService 7.EnhancetheconnectionbetweenMattituckInletandthehamletcenter. MattituckInletisanimportanteconomic,environmental,andrecreationalresourceinthehamlet ofMattituck.Locatedjustnorthofthehamletcenter,MattituckInletrunstwomilesintothe NorthForkfromLongIslandSound,andistheonlyharboronthe±50milestretchbetweenPort JeffersonandOrientPoint.Assuch,Mattituckservesasanimportantmaritimelocationwiththe Inletbeingapopulardestinationforboaters.Thehamlet’saccessibilitytowater,inadditiontoa designatedanchorage,atownparkandboatramp,marinas,andmaritimeuseslocatedclosetothe hamletcentermakeitakeyeconomicdriver. TheInletishistoricallytiedtothecommercialofferingsofLoveLaneandsurroundingareas; however,theconnectionsareunderutilized.FewboatersmakeitasfarasLoveLane,especially out-of-townerswhomaynotrealizetheshoppinganddiningopportunitiesthatliejustbeyond thewaterfront.Inanefforttoincreasetheabilityofthewaterfronttoserveasageneratorfor economicdevelopment,itissuggestedthattheTownfindabettermeansofconnectingthe headwatersoftheCreektoMattituck’sthrivinghamletcenter. a.Createaprogramaimedatprovidingbicycleusebetweenthelocal marinasandthehamletcenter. Bothvisitorsbyboatandareamerchantswouldbenefitfromaprogramtoencouragewalking orbicyclingintotheMattituckhamletcenter.Aprogramtoprovidebicycleuseforvisitorsat themarinawouldincreaseaccessibilityintotheshoppingareas.Theprogramcouldbea collaborationbetweenmarinaownersandlocalcycleshopsand/ortheMattituckChamberof Commerce. b.IncreaseaccessthroughregulardredgingofMattituckInlet. Tobuilduponitsimportanceasaresourceandencouragethelinkbetweenthecreekand Mattituck’shamletcenter,itisrecommendedthattheInletundergomorefrequentdredging. Fishermenandmarinasarefacedwitheconomicdifficultiesiftheycan’tgetinandoutofthe inletbecauseitissiltedin.DredgingispartofmaintainingtheTown’sinfrastructure,and shouldbedoneonaregularbasis.SuchdredgingwillassistinkeepingtheInletnavigable, improvingaccessandeconomicdevelopmentopportunitiestoandfromtheTownfor recreationalandcommercialboatersalike. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdTownEconomicDevelopmentCommittee,SoutholdTown DredgingAdvisoryCommittee,SoutholdTownParks,BeachesandRecreationCommittee, SoutholdTownRecreationDepartment,SoutholdTownBoard PossiblePartnerships:MattituckChamberofCommerce,NorthForkPromotionCouncil