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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB-09/08/2025 OFFICE LOCATION: �Ur SO�/p MAILING ADDRESS: Town Hall Annex �0� Old P.O.Box 1179 54375 State Route 25 Southold, NY 11971 (cor.Main Rd. &Youngs Ave.) Southold, NY Telephone: 631 765-1938 G p www.southoldtownny.gov UNTY, PLANNING BOARD OFFICE TOWN OF SOUTHOLD PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES September 8, 2025 5:00 P.M. Present were: James H. Rich III, Chairman Amelia Jealous-Dank, Vice-Chairperson Donald Wilcenski, Member Martin Sidor, Member Pierce Rafferty, Member Heather Lanza, Town Planning Director Brian Cummings, Senior Planner Mara Cerezo, Planner James Squicciarini, Deputy Town Attorney Jessica Michaelis, Secretary to the Planning Board Chairman Rich: Good evening and welcome to the Public Meeting for Monday, September 8, 2025 for the Southold Town Planning Board. This meeting is public. The Planning Board may add or remove applications from the agenda upon its discretion, without further-notice. Applications may not be heard in the order they appear on this agenda. SETTING OF THE NEXT PLANNING BOARD MEETING Chairman Rich: The first order of business is to Board to set Monday, October 6, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at the Southold Town Hall, Main Road, Southold, as the time and place for the next regular Planning Board Meeting Amelia Jealous-Dank: So, moved. Donald Wilcenski: Second. Southold Town Planning Board Public Meeting —September 8, 2025 — Page-2 Chairman Rich: Motion made by Mia, seconded by Don. Any discussion? All in favor? Ayes. Opposed? None. Motion carries. SUBDIVISION APPLICATIONS RE-ISSUE FINAL PLAT APPROVAL Chairman Rich: Vansant Resubdivision.—This Resubdivision proposes to create two lots from three existing 15,000 +/- sq. ft. parcels, SCTM#1000-98.4-12, 13 and 14. Existing Lot 13 will be divided between Lots 12 and 14 to create proposed Parcel A at 22,735 sq. ft. and proposed Parcel B at 23,750 sq. ft. Both required area variances to create lots that are non-conforming in the R-40 Zoning District (granted in ZBA File#7751). The property is located at 1135, 1265 & 1355 Smith Road, Peconic. SCTM#1000-98.-4-12, 13 & 14 Amelia Jealous-Dank: WHEREAS, this Resubdivision proposes to create two lots from three existing 15,000 +/- sq. ft. parcels, SCTM#1000-98.4-12, 13 and 14. Existing Lot 13 will be divided between Lots 12 and 14 to create proposed Parcel A at 22,735 sq. ft. and proposed Parcel B at 23,750 sq. ft. Both required area variances to create lots that are non- conforming in the R-40 Zoning District (granted in ZBA File#7751); and WHEREAS, on January 13, 2025, the Southold Town Planning Board granted Final Plat Approval upon the map entitled 1135 Smith Road Land Division" prepared by Seccafico Land Surveying PC, dated July 12, 2024, and last revised October 30, 2024, and this approval was reissued on June 2, 2025; and WHEREAS, the Final Plat Approval expired on August 3, 2025; and WHEREAS, on August 28, 2025 the agent for the applicant requested the Final Plat Approval be re-issued on revised maps submitted in June, 2025; therefore be it RESOLVED, the Southold Town Planning Board re-issues Final Plat Approval upon the map entitled 1135 Smith Road Land Division" prepared by North Star Engineering, dated July 12, 2024, and last revised March 25, 2025. Southold Town Planning Board Public Meeting —September 8, 2025 — Page 3 Donald Wilcenski: Second. Chairman Rich: Motion made by Mia, seconded by Don. Any discussion? All in favor? Ayes. Opposed? None. Motion carries. ACCEPT PERFORMANCE BOND Chairman Rich: The Orchards Standard Subdivision —This proposal is for a Clustered Standard Subdivision to subdivide a 13.3-acre parcel into five lots where Lot 1 = 9.33 acres including a 1.35 acre building envelope and 7.98 acres of preserved Open Space, Lot 2 = 0.99 acres, Lot 3 = 1.14 acres, Lot 4 = 0.92 and Lot 5 = 0.92 acres in the R-80 Zoning District. The property is located at 2595 Orchard Street, on the northeast side of Orchard Street, approximately 17' northwest of Platt Rpad, in Orient. SCTM#1000-27.-1-3 Donald Wilcenski: WHEREAS, this proposal is for a Clustered Standard Subdivision to subdivide a 13.3- acre parcel into five lots; and WHEREAS, on January 13, 2025 the Southold Planning Board issued Conditional Final Plat Approval; and WHEREAS, on July 21, 2025, the Southold Town Engineer prepared a bond estimate in the amount of$99,385.00 with an administrative fee in the amount of$5,963.10; and WHEREAS, on July 28, 2025 the Southold Town Planning Board accepted the bond estimate dated July 21, 2025 in the amount of$99,385.00; and WHEREAS, on August 25, 2025 the applicant submitted a letter of security from Dime Bank in the amount of$99,385.00; therefore be it RESOVLED, that the Southold Town Planning Board hereby accepts the Performance Bond in the form of a letter of security from Dime Bank in the amount of$99,385.00 and recommends same to the Town Board. Martin Sidor: Second. Southold Town Planninq Board Public Meeting —September 8, 2025 — Page 4 Chairman Rich: Motion made by Don, seconded by Martin. Any discussion?All in favor? Ayes. Opposed? None. Motion carries. SITE PLAN APPLICATIONS SEQRA CLASSIFICATION/SET HEARING Chairman Rich: Southold Gas Station & Convenience Store EV Chargers —This amended site plan application is for the proposed installation of four (4) Autel dual handle Electric Vehicle Charging Stations on a site with an existing Gasoline Service Station and Convenience Store, located on 1.46 acres in the General Business (B) Zoning District. The property is located at 45450 CR 48, Southold. SCTM#1000-55.-5- 2.2 Martin Sidor: WHEREAS, this Amended Site Plan is for the proposed installation of four (4) Autel dual handle Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, associated equipment and landscaping, accessory to existing Gasoline Service Station and Convenience Store, located on 1.46 acres in the General Business (B) Zoning District. The property is located at 45450 Route 48, Southold. SCTM#1000-55.-5-2.2; and WHEREAS, the Southold Town Planning Board, pursuant to State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) 6 NYCRR, Part 617.5 (c), determined that the proposed action is a Type II Action as it falls within the following description for 6 NYCRR, Part 617.5(c)(7) construction or expansion of a primary or accessory/appurtenant, non- residential structure or facility involving less than 4,000 square feet of gross floor area and not involving a change in zoning or a use variance and consistent with local land use controls, but not radio communication or microwave transmission facilities; be it therefore RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board has determined that this proposed action is a Type II Action under SEQRA as described above; Amelia Jealous-Dank: Second. Southold Town Planninq Board Public Meetinq — September 8, 2025 — Page 5 Chairman Rich: Motion made by Martin, seconded by Mia. Any discussion? All in favor? Ayes. Opposed? None. Motion carries. Martin Sidor: And be it further RESOLVED, that the Southold Town Planning Board sets Monday, October 6, 2025 at 5:01 p.m. for a Public Hearing on the amended site plan entitled "Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Installation at 45450 County Road 48, Southold", prepared by Robert K. Ceriello, P.E., last revised July 14, 2025. Amelia Jealous-Dank: Second. Chairman Rich: Motion made by Martin, seconded by Mia. Any discussion?All in favor? Ayes. Opposed? None. Motion carries. PUBLIC HEARINGS Chairman Rich: 5:01 p.m. - Harvest Pointe Amended (Walking Trail) —This proposed amended site plan is for the removal of the approved nature trail from the original Heritage/Harvest Pointe site plan, located on 46 acres in the Hamlet Density Zoning District, Cutchogue. The property is located at 75 Schoolhouse Road, Cutchogue. SCTM#1000-102.-1-33.3 Anyone wishing to address the Planning Board, please step forward and state your name, sign your name. We are asking that you please limit your comments to 3 minutes. Thank you for your cooperation. ` Jessica Michaelis: For the record, the sign posting and certified mailings were done correctly. Southold Town Planninq Board Public Meeting —September 8, 2025 — Page 6 Martin Finnegan: Good evening, Martin Finnegan, 13250 Main Road, Mattituck. I'm here on behalf of the applicant, Harvest Pointe Homeowners Association. The HOA is seeking a minor amendment to the existing approved Site.Plan to remove the obligation to install a nature trail on the perimeter of the property as depicted on the site plan. This obligation was a condition of the prior amended site plan approval in February of 2019 as condition number 27 and it was also memorialized in paragraph 21 of the recorded Covenants and Restrictions for the development. As the Planning Board is aware, an overwhelming majority of Harvest Point Homeowners signed a petition requesting an amendment to the C&R's to remove paragraph 21 and the obligation to construct the trail and stating the reasons therefore in the petition. Simply put, the Homeowners have decided that they don't need or want the trail. The C&R's may be amended if authorized by a majority plus one vote of this Board, following a public hearing and here we are. We respectfully request that following this hearing, the Planning Board approve the requested amendment to the C&R's and the approving resolution to eliminate any present or future obligation by the Homeowners Association to install a nature trail. So, with that, I'm going to sit down... Chairman Rich: So, they did vote and... Martin Finnegan: It was in the record that was filed with our application which sets forth the signatures of an overwhelming majority of the owners. There may be some people here to can speak to that as.well. Chairman Rich: Thank you, Martin. Anyone else wishing to address the Planning Board on this project? Please step forward, please sign and state your name. Martin Wheason: My name is Martin Wheyson, I'm a resident of Harvest Pointe and I'm also the president of the Homeowners Association. So, I just wanted to make a couple of comments and I see quite a few residents of Harvest Point here, we've talked about this in the past and I think everyone here, if I'm not mistaken, is in agreement that we don't want these trails installed and we really don't need them. For some of the following reasons: the trails would invite residents from outside of the community. We're a private community and were not looking to invite further foot traffic or dog walking or bike riding or automobiles through the Harvest Pointe community. Also, the proposed walking trails would be in very close proximity to the back yards of some of the homes, especially along the eastern side of Harvest Pointe and putting the walking trails in this proximity to the homes would allow foot traffic within only feet of the backyards and the screened-in porches and open widows of the Harvest Point residents, which is another unwanted result. The cost associated in maintain these trails also going forward in perpetuity would be an unwelcome burden on the residents here at Harvest Pointe. Again, Harvest Point is a private community and these trails would invite the outside people. We already have signs that say "No Trespassing." We already have numerous people walking through the community as it is and bike riding and car traffic and we feel that these trails would just further invite traffic that's unwanted to the community. Again, another reason is that Harvest Pointe already has sufficient sidewalks around the Southold Town Planninq Board Public Meeting —September 8, 2025 — Page 7 perimeter of the community and throughout the centers or the sides of the roads that if these trails were installed, I don't think anyone would be using them, it would just be an undue burden on us to maintain them going forward and'the nose and unsightly conditions during construction would be unwelcome. Also, since the trails were proposed to be made of a pervious material, we feel that this would further increase the likelihood of projectiles being thrown at the homes and breaking windows and damaging screens while routine gardening is being performed. So again, the substantial majority of the Harvest Pointe community has already signed the petition and submitted it to the Board asking that these walking trails be removed form the C&R's and —again- I think that everybody here would agree that the Harvest Pointe community just doesn't want these trails. Chairman Rich: Thank you very much for your input. Would anyone else like to address the Planning Board on this project? Michael Levy: Good evening, My name is Michael Levy, I live at Harvest Pointe and before I comment, I wondered if I could just ask question because I don't think anybody knows the answer to this right now and maybe the Board does: Whether or not there is either an agreement or a statute or an ordinance that requires the public to have access to this trail if it were put in. Could anybody tell us that? Donald Wilcenski: I think since it's a private community, I would say 'no.' Chairman Rich: That's the impression that I was under. Michael Levy: Okay, just to clear up one thing: I was the fellow who drafted the petition, a little more than two years ago and — at the time- we circulated it to as many members of the Homeowners Association as we could possibly do and I think we got about 100 out of 124 people and, to the best of my recollection, I was informed by the Board member who was taking them around that only two people had said — out of the hundred or so —only two had said they wanted this path, one of them has since sold her unit and moved on and the other, as I understand it, wanted the path because she wanted to use it for cross country skiing, not withstanding that she spends her winters in Florida. My guess would be that if you asked the folks here, how may in favor of not having this path, you're going to hear 100% of the Harvest Pointe homeowners say they don't want it, I doubt that anyone would say that they do. Thank you. Chairman Rich: Thank you for your comments. Anybody else? Anyone else on Zoom? (none) Donald Wilcenski: I make a motion to close this hearing. Martin Sidor: Second. Southold Town Planning Board Public Meeting —September 8, 2025 — Page 8 Chairman Rich: Motion made by Don, seconded by Martin. Any discussion? All in favor? Ayes. Opposed? None. Motion carries. Chairman Rich: 5:02 p.m. - North Shore Windows —This Site Plan proposes alterations to an existing commercial building to change the second-floor use from storage to offices on a ±0.45-acre parcel in the HB Zoning District. The property is located at 28970 Main Road, Cutchogue. SCTM#1000-102.-6-22 Anyone wishing to address the Planning Board on this project, please step forward, state your name and site your name at the podium. Jessica Michaelis: For the record, the sign posting and certified mailings were done correctly. Zachery Nicholson: Good evening, all, my name is Zachery Nicholson, I'm the architect for the project and I am representative. I'll just briefly reiterate my letter of intent which is that the existing building is already been approved to be occupied by North Shore Window and Doors, the ground floor will be their showroom, which is primarily by appointment only. They have several other showrooms on the island and can attest that they don't really experience much foot traffic so we-really only see the ground floor being occupied by somewhere between three to four, maybe five people at most, during a client meeting. A builder comes to meet with their clients or you know a scheduled walk in. The second floor, however, is currently storage space. North Shore windows and doors does not have any need to use this storage space, they will use the basement for any excess storage they may have. So, the second-floor space is vacant and so our proposal is to create a separate occupancy with a separate entrance and exit and we see this based on the layout that I created, somewhere between eight to ten people maximum occupying said office, this office could be for a professional, a lawyer, another design professional or contractor— something of the like. But the reason we're here is because, based on square footage, our existing parking on the site does not meet the minimum requirements, so if you just go to my site plan, you'll see that we currently have seventeen parking spots on the site, we're going to remove one of those parking spaces to create a more safe entrance to the accessory occupant, so we have sixteen parking spaces, the ground floor mercantile space requires three parking spaces based on how were classifying this occupancy use, the second floor, for 1,800 square feet would require eighteen parking spaces but we are requesting a deviation from this for thirteen spaces so, again, thirteen spaces being more than the maximum occupants for envisioning the second floor would be used by. I think that utilizing this Southold Town Planning Board Public Meeting —September 8, 2025 — Page 9 second-floor space is a good thing for the community, there's no need to build another office space somewhere else on undeveloped land and, like I said, the second floor would really just be sitting vacant so I think it is a positive thing. I could answer any questions anybody may have but I think that summarizes what we're looking to do. Chairman Rich: The only question I think we had, this may have been asked and answered, but there's not going to be any inventory here or distribution? Its's just a showroom? Zachery Nicholson: No, it's a showroom with samples. Chairman Rich: Thank you. Anyone else wishing to address the Planning Board on this? (none) Amelia Jealous-Dank: I make a motion to close this hearing. ) Donald Wilcenski: Second. Chairman Rich: Motion made by Mia, seconded by Don. Any discussion? All in favor? Ayes. Opposed? None. Motion carries. Chairman Rich: 5:03 p.m. - Oysterponds Historical Society Vail House —This Site Plan proposes an 1,831 sq. ft. addition to the historic Vail House for conditioned, fire- protected artifact storage on a ±1.42-acre parcel in the R-40 Zoning District in Orient, developed as a historical society campus with six primary structures, several outbuildings, walkways, and a gravel parking area. The property is located at 1555 Village Lane, Orient. SCTM#1000-25.-3-16.1 Anyone wishing to address the Planning board, please state your name and write it at the podium. Jessica Michaelis: For the record, the sign posting and certified mailings were done correctly. Martin Finnegan: Thank you, Jim. Good evening again everybody, Martin Finnegan, 13250 Main Road, Mattituck for the applicants. I'm joined this evening by some members of OHS's Board. As the Board is aware, Site Plan was triggered by OHS's Southold Town Planning Board Public Meeting —September 8, 2025 — Page 10 application for a building permit to construct an 1,831 square foot addition to the historic vail house to provide a conditioned fire protected storage for over 60,000 priceless artifacts that OHS has collected and preserved over the past eighty years. The subject parcel is a conforming 1.42-acre parcel in the R-40 zoning district, the vail house is one of six historically significate structures located on OHS's campus which lies between Village Lane and Fletcher Street in the heart of Orient Village. The precious artifacts that OHS manages, dates to the earliest days of European settlement in the Orient and East Marion hamlets, included in the collections are artifacts, documents, correspondence, diaries, works of art, photographs and countless archival papers that span several centuries. The proposed addition is necessitated by the fact that these precious collections are not being properly stored in a dedicated space with the modern climate control and fire suppression systems that are required for their safe and enduring preservation. It is noteworthy that the historic preservation commission granted a certificate of appropriateness for the proposed construction on April 24, 2025, the ZBA granted a Special Exception for this Historic Society use on August 21, 2025, clearing the way for the pending Site Plan review. The granting of the Special Exception was granted in part on comments received from this Board, which acknowledge that OHS has operated on the subject premises as a museum and cultural institution for years, representing a well-established pre-existing non-conforming use. The Planning Board also recognized that OHS's operation furthers the goals of the Community Character chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, which emphasizes preserving historic cultural and historic resources as a core component of the Town's character. In granting the Special Exception, the ZBA found that the property has been in used for the Historical Society for several decades and adjacent residences have co-existed with it for that time. The Board noted that the height and size of the proposed addition are compliant with the Town Code and the location is respectful of side yard setback requirements. Although there have been numerous letters in support submitted for the project, OHS is aware of concerns raised by some neighbors regarding proximity of the proposed structure to the property line and the impact that may have on their views. As stated previously, the proposed construction is entirely compliant to the bulk schedule and the HPS has issued a Certificate of Appropriateness for this construction. And as the ZBA noted, the proposed addition will be used for condition storage for the protection and preservation of historic artifacts which use is well supported by our Comp Plans Historic Preservation goals, to protect and enhance resources that are significant to the culture of Southold Town and is aligned with the plans recommendations to support museums, historical societies and other institutions preserving and promoting our Towns culture. So, with that, I remain available to address any questions the Board may have but I'll just open it up to any other comment. Chairman Rich: Thank you, Martin. Yes, sir. Mitt Stein: Good evening, ladies and gentleman. My name is Mitt Stein, I'm a local lawyer at 700 Homel, Stein Law, P.C. I'm new to the neighborhood but not new is — I represent the Franke's, they're sitting next to me. And they are the ones who have — and if I could just ask— I don't know your first name -would you just put that picture up? Thank you. Okay, the Franke's live right here. So, they're literally in the back of the Southold Town Planning Board Public Meeting — September 8, 2025 — Page 11 location where this construction is proposed and they are opposed to it for a number of reasons and I think some of them have legal significance and I also believe that there is a duty to attempt to mitigate the injury to their property that would come from this by putting up trees or whatnot for the boundary between. Now they—the applicant- Oyster Ponds, is calling the space between that property line and the back of the building, a side so they can avoid the fifty-foot setback requirement, it's not a side, obviously it's the rear of the building but yet it's a convenient attempt to be able to build there without regard to the rights of the neighbors. Right above it, I'm going to try this again, pardon my shaking hand, but if you see this section right up here, that's a septic system, comprising a multiplicity of different septic tanks. Now I present to you that it is nice thing, a very wise thing to want to protect the antiquities of the community, I think there's no one who could argue about that. But you don't need a septic system that will handle all of these buildings and lots of foot traffic to protect those antiquities. This is indirectly an attempt by them to get what they are not entitled to directly, which is this: it is R-40 residential zone and they want a commercial use. They have to get a Variance to do that, the Special Exception rule does not give them a right to continue to come back every time they want to do something new and make believe it's not R-40. Their burden hasn't been discharged and it is obvious that the purpose behind the septic system is to create a commercial situation here and this is a Planning board issue that- in the absence of a Variance— It's R-40 designated and they don't need that septic system, other than for the ability to have lots of events without bringing in port-a-potties.or whatnot to raise money. There's no secret, it's a rich society, according to the internet, $6 million dollars, runs fundraisers all the time and this application , I just noticed this when I got here, by the way, it's for the Historical Society Campus with six primary structures. I think the word `campus' is operative, I don't know, do you have a campus in a private community? I think not. I think that's an admission as to what their intent is., So, the primary issue is the need for the septic system, now if they're going to tie in all these buildings, you're approving — if you accept this as it is- they're digging up in and putting a line in for every one of these buildings to this new septic system. That is necessary to protect our contextual remnants in a museum location? Of course not! Of course not! There attempting to do_indirectly what they're not entitled to do directly, which is create a commercial campus on all of these pieces put together. Second, as I said, there's a fifty-foot setback obligation and they're well under it, they're calling it fifteen foot so they can build there. My clients have their houses right there, they have a swimming pool right there and they're going to have a building, you might call it one story, but really, it's a two-story height. It's simply one story inside because it's how they're treating it, just like they're treating the back of the building — same concept. Finally, I have one more piece to bring up, and that is the SEQRA issue and I don't know exactly where that stands but I wanted to just briefly give my opinion on it. I think when you start combining these pieces, especially when your looking at a huge septic system, you've got an environmental impact—which you've got to pay attention to- The Board has to pay attention,to this, what they're trying to do here and I'm also told, and I think its in the record, that they're are Norther Long Eared Bats, a protected species, located here too. So, they have to be taken care of so we don't have a DEC issue. Let me conclude by saying if none of this persuades the Board to send them back and do a Southold Town Planning Board Public Meeting —September 8, 2025 — Page 12 better job at their proposal, then at least put something in along that boundary area to protect their property. I hope I'm within the three minutes... Chairman Rich: You're not, but there's not that many people here and I can give you another minute or so. Mitt Stein: I appreciate it, I'm done. I want to turn to my clients and let them speak directly to the Board, if that's okay. This is Jill Franke, by the way. Jill Franke: Hi, Jill Franke, I own those two pieces of property there, we do have a house there, there's a swimming pool there a lot over on the side, where the cesspools would be, they are— my aunt just passed away—that's her property there so her estate has that where they're going to be on the side and my father—our back yard is right there of where one set of cesspools are going to be.`Theres numerous pools that are going in there and I understand there's going to be numerous pools that are going to be between the schoolhouse building and the Hallock building. They're— I don't know— that's a lot of cesspools, I don't know what they need all those cesspools for and then they're also have a test well in the front by the village house for water that's also going to be transported through the whole campus to all the facilities, so I don't understand why they need that. They're putting in a kitchenette in the San veil house and they're putting offices in there and the storage thing, that clearly is commercial. Why do they need a kitchenette in there? It's fifteen feet from our property line. It's going to be built on a concrete slab, my father bought the property in '57 and he's had water come right up to his fence in the backyard in hurricanes and storms, he's lost his insurance numerous times for the proximity to the water and they're going to put artifacts? A few years ago, they redid the Hallock building, which is across the campus and further away from the bay, so why not leave the stuff there? They have 60,000 artifacts, are 30,000 of them somebodies bugs they just donated to the historical society? I don't know, that's fifteen feet from our property line, that's the front door, that's the back, they even say in their application, they're taking the rear of the building.off of the Historical Society in a Historic District and your ripping the rear end off the back of a historic house? When I FOILed to find out when, cuz they're claiming that the back of the house and they also said it was going to be in the footprint of where the back of the house is, yes, it starts in the footprint which was the third piece of property and it goes over into the second piece of property—which, it's all one campus now, but hey bought the first part and then they bought the second part where the red barn is and then the Sand Veil part was bought last in '71. Then in '79, they combined it into one piece, so you're going to take the rear end of a house from the 1800's and- I don't know when they installed the deck and the shower— and then they're going to but a 1,831 square foot concrete, strip-mall-looking building along our back property line? We started with no fence, we went to a split-rail fence from all their events to a stockade fence, there's no amount of trees and stockade fence that's going to fix this problem. Theres no amount, its jut too close to the property, the water comes up in there, they have parties there all the time- it's nothing but noise. Would you want that fifteen feet close to your property? I wouldn't, I don't. Chairman Rich: Thank you. All of your comments are being recorded. Southold Town Planning Board Public Meeting — September 8, 2025 — Page 13 Jill Franke: Thank you. Chairman Rich: Anyone else? Glen Franke: Good evening, Glen Franke. Just a couple comments: they're claiming that's the side of their property and when you're talking bout a rear setback, you have a rear setback, not for your privacy but for your neighbor's privacy, I would assume. They're fifteen feet from our back fence, that's not affording us any privacy. I would also think— at the Zoning Board meeting they also said that since they're on the inside corner, where Vincent and Fletcher meet, that they have two front yards, I would argue that they have two back yards. Because I know other people who live on and outside corner, like Mr. Kanza's house are told 'you have certain regulations about putting fences in, it has to be a four foot here and a four foot there cuz this is considered a front yard and this is also considered a front yard.' Them being on an inside corner like that, I would argue that they have two back yards, they should have to be forty or fifty feet from both back yards. Id also like to mention, they're saying they're good neighbors, but every building on that property is too close to the property line. I think that they have. meant the Brown house, that's inside, that's right next to Bill Kanza's property, the library that's right on the back line of Shirley's property, the Hallock is on the corner— it's like five feet from both property lines. The Village house, that's preexisting, that's been there forever but that's less than the setback from Village Lane, but I understand that building is existing and that's been there since Time and memorial. The other thing I'd like to raise is they're worried about parking at the shop that they're building up in Cutchogue, they've 18 spots, they have like three spots. They have no parking. That's all I have to say. Chairman Rich: Thank you, Glen. Jill Franke: I just want to make sure you got my letter and petition I submitted. Chairman Rich: We did get the letters, Thank you. Jessica Michaelis: We do have someone on Zoom. Go ahead Benja, just state your name for the record. Benja Schwartz: Good evening, Benja Schwartz, how are you doing? I am managing, and caring for the Leander BB house, which is across the street from the Polk Duck Hall and the Village of Orient is a very, very precious place and I don't want to offend any neighbors. I love the way the people there all tend to get along but these rules and regulations we call 'land use law' apply in various ways to different areas. And in this area, I would like to briefly state that I commend the Historical Society for their attention to put in'a septic processing system rather than just discharge the waste into a cesspool and I'm not sure that I would want such a building right next to —a few feet from my property but I would try to understand the benefit to the community and whether the building looks like a relic of the past or a new building, I think it could contribute to our Southold Town Planning Board Public Meetinq —September 8, 2025 — Page 14 memorializing the past and also hopefully looking toward the future, which may include some events at the museum so I'm looking forward to that and thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion, which, although its not researched, legal opinion, I don't believe that—with all due respect—the lawyer spoke on behalf of the opponents here, I'd like to see him do a legal brief with some of what he says is required. The fact that the properties are special exceptions is grandfathered= I don't know— it's different from a normal non-conforming use, a special exception use. And I have no objection to them doing what they want and as a member of the community, I would hope that other members of the community would respect the need for the public interest for the Historical Society. Chairman Rich: Thank you Benja, for your input. I think - Linda? Linda Goldsmith: Hi, good afternoon, Linda Goldsmith. I lived on the —there's a road that goes from Village Lane, goes Willow, Vincent and Fletcher Street. I lived down there, opposite corner. I can attest that many times my property did flood there, maybe it's not a flood zone, but it does flood. I'm not sure what the addition of another building would do there because I'm not a scientist and I can't predict the next hurricane. I can also tell you that, on a property that I owned, it was corner lot and of course I said 'my front yard is here' and the Town said 'okay, that can be your address.' Then, when it came to put up fencing, all of a sudden, I had a little issue that the side yard was not the side yard anymore, so where your back yard is or where your front yard is, where your side yard is, it seems to be in this situation is very subjective and I think you ought to look at that because I think its important. I've lived in Orient for many years, I still own property in Orient, I now live in East Marion but I still own property on Old Main Road and I just think it—you know—the placement of a back yard or front yard or corner yard or- I'm sorry, forgive me, side yard. In my case, it was very subjective; and it cost me about $9,000 when I found out that somebody gave us the wrong advice but I think that that's something that you ought to look into and I think the flooding could be an issue. Even the Historical Society themselves should address that issue because that's the last thing that you would want on that property. Thank you. Chairman Rich: Thank you for your comments. Anyone else? Martin Finnegan: Just very briefly, I just want to clarify a few things. First of all, the OHS has no objection, and I assume that through the Site Plan process that there would be screening required along the property line to mitigate any issue. This is a one story, storage facility that has been reviewed by the ARC and the HPC, both Boards giving their nod of approval. Side yard determination, as you well know, is the determination of the Chief Building Inspector, that's already been approved and you have a Notice of Disapproval. Sanitary system is subject to the requirements of the Suffolk County department of Health, the Oysterponds Historical Society is not looking to install anything more than they are required to do or spend the money to do so. Obviously, as we know, a historical society is a permitted use in the R-40 zoning district by Special Exception of the Zoning Board of Appeals, which was granted. So, this is not a commercial use, this is a permitted use in this zoning district so I.just wanted to clarify Southold Town Planning Board Public Meeting —September 8, 2025 — Page 15 those points. They did not remove any portion of the Veil House, historic portions, the only portion that is being removed to allow for the construction of this building is a small addition on the back of the structure that was a newer addition. It is not historic, its not part of the original structure. So, I just wanted to clarify those points and I thank you for your time. Chairman Rich: I'll let you respond; we'll give you one minute. One minute. Mitt Stein: Think you for listening to us and I think it is fairly clear here that there is enough to at least look into the environmental impact of what all this is. It is not clear why there is a huge septic system, other than for commercial use and think what you choose to these Special Exception rules is limited to once per 40,000 square feet? They had that when they became a society, they don't get a right to just keep coming back every time hey want to do something and ignore the zoning obligations. Were her to ensure that this remains a residential community where people live, not where events occur, not where you have lots of parking and a huge septic system and —you know- people coming and raising money in a consistent way. That's not here, but that will be here if you allow it to be here. Chairman Rich: Thank you, everyone's comments are being recorded. And they are addressed in our final analysis. Anyone else?Anyone on Zoom? Jessica Michaelis: No. Donald Wilcenski: I make a motion to close this hearing. Amelia Jealous-Dank: Second. Chairman Rich: Motion made by Don, seconded by Mia. Any discussion? All in favor? Ayes. Opposed? None. Motion carries. Chairman Rich: This concludes the business of our meeting tonight. Can I get a motion for adjournment? Amelia Jealous-Dank: So, moved. Donald Wilcenski: Second. Chairman Rich: Motion made by Mia, seconded by Don. Any discussion? All in favor? Southold Town Planning Board Public Meeting — September 8, 2025 — Page 16 Ayes. . Opposed? None. Motion carries. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Allison Palmeri H. �� Transcribing Secretary mes H. Rich III, Chairman