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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNorth Fork Chamber of Commerce 5.2025 (2) North Fork Chamber of Commerce Comments on Southold Town Proposed Zoning Update May 29, 2025 I’m Judy McCleery, the president of the North Fork Chamber of Commerce. Today I’m here to present the position of the Chamber Board regarding the proposed zoning update. The reason people choose to live, work, and invest in the North Fork is because of the unique character of our community—where rural charm, historic hamlets, small businesses, and agricultural heritage coexist in a way that is unlike anywhere else. The North Fork Chamber of Commerce is committed to preserving that character while supporting smart growth, economic vitality, and opportunities for the next generation. With that in mind, we offer the following comments on the proposed zoning update. Simply stated, the North Fork Chamber of Commerce does not support the zoning update as it is currently proposed. Here are our concerns with the current draft: • Many proposed code changes are not favorable to the local business community. • Town employees may face challenges implementing the new code due to vagueness and complexity. • The proposed changes do not align with the land use and economic development goals outlined in Southold’s Comprehensive Plan. • Re-zoning as proposed could lead to higher taxes for residential property owners. In addition, key stakeholders—including the Building Department, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Town Attorney’s office—have not publicly endorsed or provided input on the draft. To move forward responsibly, we urge the Town Board to gather and share with the public written feedback from these departments. Southold’s businesses are already under pressure. Under this proposed code, long-standing businesses like Harbes Family Farm, Sophie’s Rest, Drossos, Mullin Motors, Soundview Inn, and North Fork Welding would not be permitted to exist in their current form. Ironically, the image on SoutholdZoningUpdate.com—Love Lane—could not be built under this code either. Meanwhile, vacant commercial buildings like the Crystal Palace, the former North Fork Bank on Love Lane, and the old Oyster Factory in East Marion remain underutilized. We hope the zoning update will prioritize the revitalization of such sites and encourage economic development. To better serve Southold’s future, we recommend the Town consider the following: • A more user-friendly permitting process with clear guidance for business owners. • Coordinated reviews between Town departments and Suffolk County Health. • Faster timelines for site plan and permit approvals—ideally under six months. • Expansion of commercial zoning from 1.8% to 3.6% of town acreage, as envisioned in the Comprehensive Plan’s hamlet centers and HALO zones. • Recognition that tourism is central to our economy—supporting inns, vineyards, agrotourism, marinas, and waterfront businesses. We also note a concerning case: Lieb Cellars was denied an interior renovation based on outdated interpretations, resulting in a lawsuit that could have been avoided. Southold must adopt clearer, fairer processes to prevent such situations. In fact some of our Chamber members have already sought legal counsel and are prepared to defend their rights if necessary. In closing, we agree the code needs updating, after all this process began as a way to update and streamline Town code—but in a way that enables growth, opportunity, and sustainability for both businesses and residents. We prefer collaboration and progress— and believe a thriving business community benefits everyone in Southold. And we are hopeful future revisions will address these issues and invite ongoing dialogue.