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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/10/2022 Town of Southold Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting th Minutes of August 10, 2022 Members Present Members Absent Guests Anthony Sannino – Chairperson Jim Glover Chris Baiz John Sepenoski Doug Cooper Steve Schnee John B. Sepenoski Jr. Tom Stevenson Scott Russell (TB Liaison) Mark VanBourgondien Opening: th The Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting was called to order on Wednesday August 10 at 7:05 pm in the Meeting Hall. Next Meeting(s): th The next regular AAC meeting will be held on Wednesday September 7, 2022, at 7:00 pm in the Southold Town Hall meeting hall and via Zoom. Accessory Apartment Code/Affordable Housing:  Discussion on the current restrictions of the accessory apartment code.  The code should be updated to take out the restriction of only houses built in 2004 and older houses only.  We shouldn’t be changing zoning from agriculture to affordable housing when changing the accessory apartment code will open up a lot more units.  Accessory apartments will benefit locals looking for apartments more than the affordable housing complexes that accept grant money. Once these complexes accept money from the county, federal, etc. they are required to open up housing opportunities to more than local residents. Which will limit the number of local residents that might benefit.  Another change that should be added is that the primary house should be owner occupied. This will help prevent more Air BNB rentals.  Making these two changes to the code would create a lot more apartments for rent.  Discussion on the new Affordable Housing Tax. Executive Session: Motion to enter executive session made by Tom Stevenson at 7:20, seconded by Doug Cooper, ALL in Favor Motion to exit executive session made by Tom Stevenson seconded by Anthony Sannino at 7:55, ALL in favor. Page 1 | 2 Town of Southold Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting th Minutes of August 10, 2022 Planning Department Consultant:  Discussion on the consultants that are being hired and setting up a meeting with them.  The Planning department hired two consultants, one for affordable housing and the other for land use.  The consultant for affordable housing is needed for the proposed .5% tax on land transfers (similar to CPF tax). And a plan for that affordable housing needs to be ready when the referendum is voted on.  Affordable housing is not tied to farmworker housing. But that definition still needs to be worked on.  The consultant for zoning will be working on adding new types of zones, new uses, etc. Per Supervisor Russell the zoning consultant will be reaching out to every committee and department to set up meetings. Chapter 70:  Discussion on status of Chapter 70.  There was no response to the email we sent a few months ago.  Town Boards last response to the committee was that they wanted to gather more facts and information before moving forward on anything.  Discussion on what changing Chapter 70 can do to current easements.  Any changes that are made to Chapter 70 will have an impact on easements because they refer to Chapter 70. Changes to the code need to be made with consideration to current easements.  Supervisor Russell does agree with some of the proposed changes such as processing should be allowed on PDR land, and expanding greenhouse production.  Language should also be drafted so Chapter 70 cannot become stricter. Any changes to Chapter 70 cannot impose further restrictions on existing easements and will favor agriculture.  Anthony will draft a letter to the board and distribute it to the committee for approval to request a code committee hearing on chapter 70. Other Topics Discussed:  Brief discussion on the status of Cutchogue Woods.  Discussion on creating a Google calendar for just the AAC to send reminders of important dates. Adjournment: MOTION to adjourn at 8:35 pm made by Anthony Sannino, seconded by Tom Stevenson, ALL in favor. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Laura Arena Page 2 | 2