HomeMy WebLinkAboutSharon Kelly_114845216611Southold Zoning Update - Full Responses
Name: Sharon Kelly
Respondent ID: 114845216611
Q1: General Feedback: Do you feel the proposed zoning updates reflect the
needs of your community?
No / My concern is over-population, habitat loss, NOISE and traffic. I'm hoping we can
continue to purchase development rights and preserve any small or large parcel that is
available. It's important to have many wildlife corridors and open, natural landscapes to
allow for biodiversity and a healthy community of plants, trees and wildlife. Farms don't
count as habitat.
Q2: Land Use & Zoning: Do these updates make sense for how you want to see
land used in Southold?
No
Q3: Which zoning rules or land-use changes—if any—don’t work for you?
R-80 is too dense for the larger undeveloped parcels. These parcels should be preserved as
open space park lands for current and future generations to enjoy nature. Hamlets need
green spaces built into them, like pocket parks such as one across from IGA in Southold.
Each town needs these pocket parks to foster community, quiet spaces, and some relief to
birds and wildlife.
Q4: Housing & Affordability: Do the updates support the kind of housing you
believe Southold needs?
No
Q5: What—if anything—would make housing options better for you and your
neighbors?
Encourage tiny houses on large parcels to support wildlife. Require native plantings to
cover at least 80% of newly developed land and encourage current business owners to add
native plants and trees to combat climate change. Outlaw gas-powered commercial lawn
equipment.
Q6: Natural Resources & Environmental Protection: Do these updates
adequately protect Southold’s natural resources, such as water, wildlife, and
woodlands?
No
Q7: If not, what else would you like to see in the zoning code for environmental
conservation?
The environmental needs cannot be stressed enough. We don't want to find out too late
that we have destroyed our fragile eco-systems, both land and water. We need wildlife
corridors and vast tracts of protected lands to encourage biodiversity and a healthy balance
of plant/animal life.
Q8: Community Character & Historic Preservation: Do these zoning updates
help retain the character of the Southold you know and love?
No
Q9: If not, what do you think could be improved to preserve Southold’s unique
charm?
Southold's unique charm depends on a rural feel with low population density and low
traffic; with natural areas, parks, clean beaches with plenty of habitat both inland and at the
shore.
Q10: Traffic, and Safety. Do the proposed zoning updates adequately address
concerns related to traffic congestion and pedestrian safety?
No
Q11: If not, what changes would you recommend to improve or prevent further
traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety in Southold?
Less development in general. I feel that we are already at an uncomfortable, almost
unlivable traffic/noise situation. Summer and fall are impossible to make left turns. More
traffic lights are not the answer, less development is. We need to purchase development
rights in an urgent way.
Q12: Support for Agriculture: Do the zoning updates provide sufficient
protections for Southold’s farming industry and farmland preservation?
Yes
Q13: If not, what changes would you suggest to further support agriculture and
prevent the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses?
Though, if we can, continue to purchase all development rights of farms that are still free to
sell to developers.
Q14: Economic Development: Will the proposed zoning changes foster
sustainable economic development while balancing environmental and
community concerns?
No
Q15: If not, how could the zoning updates better support the local economy
and businesses?
We need more focus on environmental concerns. Pocket parks in each hamlet with benches
and native trees and pollinator gardens.
Q16: Additional Comments
I would have answered "somewhat" instead of "no" on many of these, but that wasn't an
option. I don't want it to sound like I don't appreciate the incredible challenges and hard
work that has gone into this. BUT, I want to STRESS the need to protect every bit of
environment left that we can for wildlife and biodiversity. I think you get the point!
Q17: Demographic & Contact Info. Click this link to enter your email if you'd like
to receive updates on meetings and future drafts.
Sharon Kelly / dragondazy@gmail.com / Cutchogue
Q18: Are YOU responding as a:
Resident