HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Housing Plan Southold Town Housing Advisory Commission
September 26, 2023
My name is Anne Smith and I am representing the Housing Advisory Commission of Southold
Town (HAC). I am speaking on behalf of the Commission and our co-chairs Pat Lutzky and Eric
Dantes who are unable to attend today's hearing. We wish to thank member Mark Levine who
served on the Community Housing Fund Advisory Board convened to draft the plan. Our
comments today are specifically about the Community Housing Plan dated September 12, 2023
as the only topic for discussion during this public hearing.
I am starting with a quote from the plan as it sums up the problem we are facing as a
community.
"The Town of Southold and the Village of Greenport have historically been communities
where neighbors know neighbors and families occupy generational homes. These
generational ties to the land and community are strong, yet because of changing
community dynamics, stable year-round moderately priced housing is increasingly
challenging to find. People struggling to find local housing priced within their means
include a wide-ranging array of community members. The lack of availability of suitable
housing options will have short and long-term impacts on the Town of Southold, forever
shaping its future..."
The Southold Town Housing Plan is a voter-supported effort based on the Peconic Bay Region
Community Housing Act and the subsequent establishment of the Community Housing Fund.
This plan will be a guiding document to help solve the housing crisis including the impact of the
surge in short term and seasonal rentals on apartment availability. It is not the only solution to
a complex issue but will serve to guide a multi-tiered effort for positive change and to meet the
goals of the Southold Town Comprehensive Plan.
The Housing Advisory Commission supports the adoption of the plan dated 9.12.23 and looks
forward to helping the Town Board educate the community and engage in the larger issue of
solving this problem.
On behalf of the Housing Advisory Commission, we would like to thank the Town Board for
giving the voters the opportunity to weigh in on the need for the fund and for creating a diverse
and expert team on the Community Housing Fund Advisory Board who drafted the plan with
you. They were diligent, focused and tireless in being prepared for meetings, challenging each
other for clarity, as they focused on the letter and intent of the legislation. The Housing
Advisory Commission appreciates the leadership of liaison, Town Councilwoman, Jill Doherty
and Assistant Planning Director Mark Terry and Planner Mara Cerezo . Mark and Mara were and
continue to be an important partner for the Housing Advisory Commission.
The Housing Advisory Commission will be here to partner with Southold Town Board to help
implement the plan and other work related to the housing crisis. We acknowledge that the plan
may be reviewed and revised as it is implemented and will help provide feedback during the
process.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of Southold Town Housing Advisory Commission for
Purposes of The Public Hearing on the Community Housing Plan September 26, 2023:
Patricia Lutzky, Co-chair
Eric Dantes, Co-chair
Mark Levine
Nancy Messer
Cheryle Amara
Marilyn Sierra
Anne Smith