HomeMy WebLinkAboutGroup for the East End 7.2025 AMW*4
CII July 15, 2025
ro u p T l I
East End Supervisor Krupski &
Members of the Town Board
Town of Southold
Robert S.DeLuca P.O. Box 1179
PRESIDENT Southold, NY 11971
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Re: Proposed Zoning Code Comments
Katherine Leahy Birch
CHAIR Dear Supervisor Krupski and Members of the Town Board,
William Ryall On behalf of Group for the East End lease accept the following comments and
VICE CHAIR p p p g
recommendations related to the proposed zoning code amendments. Group for the
Susan Abdalla East End commends the Town Board and planning staff for creating a robust and
Kimberly Allan transparent comprehensive planning and zoning code update process. Thank you for
Lou Bevilacqua holding a focus-group meeting to discuss natural resources. These efforts are critical
W. Marco Birch in creating a successful pathway forward for Southold's future.
Kristen Briner
Andrew Goldstein Although not exhaustive at this time, please consider the following priority
Stuart Goode recommendations. We look forward to participating in the State Environmental
Nestor Gounaris Quality Review (SEQRA)process and subsequent public hearings on the proposed
John F.Shea
code amendments.
Kimberly Smith Spacek
Marisa van Bokhorst
Mary Walker Establish an Actionable Timeline for Additional Amendments Not Included
Donna Winston
Several critical zoning amendments were omitted from the proposed zoning code
update. The Aquifer Protection Overlay, Coastal Resiliency Overlay, proposed tree
P.O. Box 1792 code, and battery energy storage system code need to remain a top priority to ensure
Southold, NY 11971 the Town of Southold has adequate protections and regulations in place to safeguard
P.O. Box 569 the Town's natural resources, which in turn help protect community character,
Bridgehampto,n, NY 11932 economic prosperity and a healthy environment for residents and visitors alike.
631.765.6450 Please establish a priority timeline for the above-mentioned code objectives.
GroupfortheEastEnd.org
Amended "Purpose" Section that Reflects the Importance of Natural Resource
Protection
The protection of the Town's natural resources is a consistent and strongly expressed
desire among residents and is well-established in the Town of Southold
Comprehensive Plan 2020. The "Purpose" section of the proposed zoning code, as
written, fails to adequately reflect this desire. It is essential to establish a clear
directive that aligns with this vision, as it provides the background, basis, and
justification for many of the regulations outlined in the zoning code.
Recently, the Town of East Hampton adopted and amended its version of the
"Purposes" section (255-1-11 Purposes)to accurately reflect the Town's vision. In
our view, East Hampton's code acts as a model. We recommend that the Town of
Southold review and incorporate similar language. The link to this section is
included here.
Goals & Objectives Within the Comprehensive Plan Update Should Be Codified
in the Zoning Code
The Southold Town Comprehensive Plan 2020 includes several Goals and
Objectives in the Natural Resources and Land Preservation Chapters that should be
included in the zoning code amendments. Please consider developing regulations
that would codify the list below. The list is not exhaustive.
Chapter 6: Natural Resources and Environment-Water Resources Section
Objective 1.5 Limit the use of the sole source aquifer for filling pools (p. 6-5).
Objective 2.12 Develop and apply land use tools to preserve Plum Island water
quality in the aquifer (p. 6-9).
Objective 3.5: -Avoid and minimize non point pollution of coastal waters.
D. Retain or establish native vegetation to maintain or provide soil
stabilization or filtering capacity in littoral zones (p. 6-14).
Objective 5.2 Protect tidal and freshwater wetland habitats.
H. Provide adequate buffers (in width and composition) between wetlands
and land uses and activities to ensure protection of the wetland's water
quality,functions, and values.
I I Design and establish new buffers using existing vegetation (in its
natural state) wherever possible, while allowing for appropriate
maintenance. Where no vegetation exists, require re-vegetation of*a
buffer area with native, drought-tolerant vegetation.
2 I Restore degraded buffers through re-establishment of native,
drought-tolerant vegetation.
3 I Maintain densely vegetated buffers to achieve high filtration of
surface runoff.
4 I Provide adequate buffers (in width and composition) to abate
storm surge resulting from hurricane/storm events.
5 1 Amend buffer definitions in the Southold Town Code to achieve
consistency between Chapters 275 Wetlands and Shorelines and
Chapter 268 Coastal Consistency Review and establish minimum
design standards. (p. 6-20).
Objective 5.4 Promote sustainable use of marine habitats and resources in Southold
Town.
A. Zone marine underwater lands to ensure ecological quality and
sustainability of public underwater lands and waters (p.6-21).
Chapter 6 Natural Resources—Land Resources Section
Objective 2.2 Protect and restore upland habitat ecological quality by adhering to
the following measures:
B.1. I Include the use of suitable indigenous plants in the landscaping plans
for new development and in redevelopment projects where loss or
disturbance of existing indigenous plants could not be prevented during
construction.
E.2.a. Reducing scale or intensity of use or development(p.6-25).
Objective 2.3:Preserve and manage trees by adopting a Tree Preservation Local
Law for the purposes of protecting woodlands and individual historic, significant,
and scenic trees important to the community (p. 6-25).
Objective 3.2 Protect vulnerable fish, wildlife, and plant species and rare ecological
communities
B.2. Ensure large-scale fence installations e.g, deer fencing, allow for the
movement of vulnerable species, including the box turtle and spotted turtle
(p. 6-29).
Chapter 10 Land Preservation
Objective 2.2:Promote conservation subdivisions and design all subdivisions of
non farmland to enhance natural and scenic resources.
E Consider increasing mandatory open space percentage for subdivision of
lands located over particularly sensitive aquifers (p.10-5).
Maintain Code Amendments Limiting Intensification of Use of Development
There is a direct nexus between the development of a site and environmental quality.
Reducing the intensification of uses on site, particularly in near-shore areas and other
sensitive environments, helps to limit environmental impact. We support the
proposed code amendments that reduce/amend gross-floor area in certain districts,
reducing the total amount of hotel/motel units within certain zones, increasing
vegetated buffers (of which they should be required to include native vegetation),
and the overall limitations on the number of uses allowed on certain parcels within
certain districts. At a minimum, these amendments should be maintained in the final
version of the zoning code amendments.
Conclusion
Thank you again for conducting extensive outreach and providing the public with the
opportunity to learn about and contribute to the zoning code amendment process.
We thank you in advance for reviewing our initial recommendations and look
forward to helping to advance and prioritize environmental conservation within the
zoning code amendments. Please let us know if you have any comments or
questions. I can be reached at ienngthegroup.org.
Sincerely,
Jenn Hartnagel
Director of Conservation Advocacy
Cc: Heather Lanza, Planning Director
John Sepenoski, GIS
Glen Goldsmith, President, Town Trustees