HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/14/2022
Affordable Housing Review Committee
MEETING MINUTES
Date: December 14, 2022
Time: 8:30am
Location: Town Hall Annex Board Room
Absent:
Present:
Scott Russell, Town Supervisor
Heather Lanza, Planning Director
John Burke, Town Attorney,
Mark Terry, Assistant Planning Director
Mike Verity, Chief Building Inspector
Don Wilcenski, Planning Board Chair
Jill Doherty, Town Board
Elizabeth Thompson, Architectural Review
Committee
Patricia Lutzky, Housing Advisory Commission
Greg Doroski, Town Board
Mara Cerezo, Planner
Agenda Item: Apartments at Brecknock
Location: Greenport
Zoning: HD/R-80
Number of Units: 28
Project Summary: Located within Peconic Landing’s 145-acre campus, this privately funded project proposes 28 rental
units (a mixture of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments) for members of the local workforce at different income levels including
units within the HUD/workforce housing guidelines. This project aims to address the scarcity of year-round rentals for staff
of local employers such as ELIH, Southold Town Police, Greenport & East Marion Fire Departments, etc.
Present for Applicant: Ike Israel (Richmond Realty), Richard Israel, and Kevin Anglan
Discussion:
Partnering with Peconic Landing for workforce housing
Applicant in real estate since 2005
Numerous challenges exist in current housing market
Applicant is in “investment grade real estate” partnering with employers to purchase housing to help keep
staff local to the business.
Focusing on clean, safe, housing for local workforce
Good location because it is screened from the street so less of a visual impact to community, utilizing
existing curb cuts, connection to Greenport sewer possible, and public water accessible
Applicant held concept meeting to connect to Greenport sewer
Discussion on definitions:
“affordable” housing = 60-80% of AMI
“workforce” housing = 80-120% of AMI
“workforce” housing = can imply that the housing is employer subsidized
Is there a legal definition of “workforce housing” from the federal or state government? If so, are
their implications for how this project is discussed?
Role of financing – all privately funded
Peconic Landing approached the applicants due to “labor drain” and a desire to capitalize on the land, they
have (145 acres) with a possibility for further development
Peconic Landing has existing security and maintenance, along with other amenities for residents
Peconic Landing assumes that a percentage of apartments will be available for people who work at Peconic
Landing, a portion of their current workforce has multiple jobs to sustain themselves and their families.
Peconic Landing has an existing partnership with Stony Brook Medicine (another local employer)
Anticipated that priority will be given to healthcare workers, EMT, Fire, etc.
Potential for private investments from local businesses to secure apartments for staff.
Peconic Landing’s existing workforce has a need for local housing, and they have hiring needs as well for
CNAs, servers, and housekeepers.
Proposed project will have a common room/building potentially with laundry, community room, and other
resources. Still in concept phase. Residents may also have access to other Peconic Landing amenities.
Applicant noted that fees from various agencies (SCWA, DOT, etc.)and taxes can impact per unit costs for
development.
Committee discussion:
Town Board and Town Attorney looking at feasibility of increasing density of AHD
Current parcel is split R-80/HD
If all HD then the applicant would not need to apply for AHD
SEQRA Process will want to look at traffic and trip generation, among other factors
Explore change of zone from R-80 to HD
How to address local housing need and balance with legal concerns around language viewed as
potentially discriminatory.
Walsh Park example of utilizing HD zoning for increasing housing with private investments
Agenda Item: North Fork Villas
Location: Cutchogue
Zoning: R-40/R-80
Number of Units: 24
Project Summary: Located within the HALO Zone and on the local bus route, this privately-funded project proposes 22 two-
bedroom units and 2 three-bedroom rental units, along with a common building that houses laundry, shared community
space, and a management office on a 3.2 acre parcel in Cutchogue. Target income levels are 80-120% of Median Income.
Present for Applicant (via Zoom): Andy Cruz, Leo Cruz, and Holly from Cruz Brothers Construction; Lisa Foyer from Twin
Fork Permitting; and Karen Hoeg
Discussion:
Company has residential and commercial properties primarily on South Fork. They have existing
management and maintenance teams for their portfolio. This would be the first workforce housing
development.
Previously presented to the Housing Advisory Commission
Committee questioned the size of the units, 2 and 3-bedrooms under 600 sq. ft.
Applicant stated that the sanitary flow requirements were limiting for size
Potential for Southold to look at double density and utilize the sanitary flow credit bank for “super offsets”
Some concerns around interior layout, placement of windows, and flow of apartment interior to improve
quality of life for residents. Also noted lack of storage and lack of defined outdoor space.
Applicant was amenable to design feedback, and is eager to work with the Town on making this project
successful, there is an option for a basement storage area for residents.
Role of financing – all privately funded.
Agenda Item: Next Steps & Follow-Up
Apartments at Brecknock Next Steps:
o Planning Department will schedule meeting that includes: Planning Department, Mike Verity, Town
Attorney, and applicant to discuss zoning and path forward for this project.
North Fork Villas Next Steps:
o Planning Department will share sanitary flow credit information with the applicant.
o Applicant will consider design feedback and the possibility of having more units in the future to
determine potential phasing of project.