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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB-09/03/1969 Information Meeting on Master Plan "Mattituck" ," . . ".II ... , Southold Town Planning Board SDUTHDLD. L. I.. N. Y. 11971 PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS John Wickham, Chairman Henry Mo.!.. Alfred Grebe William Unkelbach Frank Coyle mFoRMATION MEETmG ON MASTER PLAN "MATTITUCK" September 3, 1969 A public information meeting on the Master Plan was held by the Southold Town Planning Board at 8: 00 P.M., Wednesday, September 3, 1969, at the Mattituck High School. There were present: Messrs: John Wickham, Chairman; Henry Raynor, Frank CoyleJ Supervisor Martocchia, and Building Inspector Howard Terry. The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone present and stressing the fact that this meeting is informational only, it is not a public hearing. He informed the people that the adoption of this plan does not include the adoption of any zoning ordinance, amendments, or the expenditure of funds beyond what is alloted. CHAIRMAN: It is not necessary to hold a public hearing. The State Law prohibits a referendum of the people. They require an information meeting to be held by the Planning Board and give the sole power of passing a resolution to adopt it to the Planning Board. We are here tonight to present you ~ith the publications, to give you information, and to get information from you. Your views and suggestions on this plan are very important to us. Parts of this plan will be changed to meet our needs, it would never be adopted as a complete package as shown here in the pamphlet, . -2- . . ' changes will have to be made. This pamphlet represents suggestions, possible ideas, not confirmed answers. We want your opinions. In reference to the issue which most of you here tonight are interested in, I would like to inform you of the following: the proposed airport shown on this map is only the N. Y.S. Bureau of Aviations thinking of how the Town might develop. It is not the Planning Board's thinking at all. This Master Plan Study cost $80,000. The largest part of this was paid for through a grant by the Federal Govt. It only cost the Town $14,500. over a six year period. One of the conditions of granting us this money, set by the Federal Govt., was that the final map show a possible location for an airport, such location to be indicated by the N.Y.S. Bureau of Aviations. This is the one and only reason that the airport was even shown on the map. We are here tonight to get information from you. We are presenting you with our publications and maps which represent 6 years of work by the Planning Board and 3 years of work by Cornell University, Malcolm & Pirnie Engineer~, & Raymond, May Parish & Pine. We feel that they have done a very good job. We want to know what you think. We have no idea at all of passing a resolution until we know that you understand it .ompletely. SUPERVISOR MARTOCCHJ:A: This is the third meeting on the Master Plan that I have attended. The first one was held at Southold on August 29th, the second one this after noon at Fishers Island, and the third one is here tonight at Mattituck. I am glad to see that there are so many people in Southold Town that are interested in what is happening around them. Each of you have a pamphlet before you. You will have many questions some of Which will go unanswered tonight. The Planning Board has given many hours to protect the Town from unorderly growth. We are trying to develop a nice town. There are going to be a lot of people in the audience tonight who will contribute to helping us. CHAJ:RMAN: On the back tables there are a series of maps. OVer here we have all the minutes pertaining to Master Plan Meetings, Malcolm & Pirnie Engineers water survey, and pre- liminary books on the development plan. I want to point out that the final presentation of the analysis of all the studies and Raymond & Mays ideas of the devel~pment plan will not be available until the end of September. I do have some of the proof sets here which I may refer to from time to time. This information will be available at the Town libraries, at the Supervisor's Office at Greenport, and the Planning Board office at Southold. I think I should repeat that this is something the planning Board spent 6 years on, Raymond & May spent 3 years on, and Malcolm & Pirnie spent 2 years on. Everything may not be covered this evening, the meeting will end at 10:00 P.M. After this series of information meetings and after Raymond & May submits the final books and the people have had . -3- . a chance to dig into this material. we will held a final meeting. If it takes more than one we will have more than one. We want to know what you the people think about this. We have only one criteria. what is best for all the people in the Town of Southold. Our problems are grouped into 3 centers: ~~ulation. which is divided into part-time & full-time residents. aqr~culture. and ~ter.. each of which is very dependent of the other. Our wealth comes primarily from part-time residents and agriculture. These two businesses comprise 9~~ of our economic base. We have to consider the people who pay the taxes. The reasen the summer people are here is because of the rural nature of the Town of South old. This ties the two together. summer residents and agriculture. Water. I am sure you know about. particularly in Mattituck. Most of the people on Mattituck Creek import their water. There is a salt water intrusion prOblem here, also at Nassau Point. What zoning density can we have here in Southold? If we want summer residents and agriculture then we have to limit our growth. Well. I think. I have eutlined our situation te you. QUESTION: You say that the rural nature is what brings people out here? What about the beaches. shellfish. and water- front recreation? You say resorts and farmers are our primary assets. then the waeer prOblem is going to limit our growth. Why does the plan call for the least density north of Route 25. if we have a water problem to the south. shouldn't we have a lesser density here? CHAIRMAN: The area north of Route 25, between Cutchogue and Mattituck is our best source of water. Someday we may have to have municipal water. This area would be the best possible place for pumping stations. This is the reason we Must preserve our water. more so in this area. WM. SCHRIEVER. ORIENT: At the Southold meeting we ;llooked at the map and had a number of questions which you have already covered in your introduction. It came up at that meeting that the area in gray (agriculture- residence) should be 2 acre zoning. I have 1.68 acres and it is a heck of a job keeping it up. I think. 2 acre zoning is impractical it is beyond all reason. The farmer who has really made an effort to keep going should be bailed out in as good manner as those who have already bailed out. The farms should be purchased by Southold Town residents. not out of towners. The farmers taxes should be reduced perhaps then maybe they could afford to stay in business. CHAIRMAN: You are right. You said just what we feel, agriculture should stay in business. and the farms should be owned by Southold Town residents. MR. SCHRIEVER: I purchased a farm myself and I am holding it because I think. it will make a good business section for Orient someday. . -4- . CHAIRMAN: In :eeference to 1 acre zoning. whether we want it or not. it is coming. The Suffolk County Board of Health has passed a resolution for one acre zoning. They just have net ordered it into law yet. So we will really be operating under the restriction of the County Board of Health. They have made one acre zoning law. someday they may make 2 acre zoning mand- atory. So this whole idea of 2 acre zoning is not really so far fetched as it may seem. We may get it whether we want it or not. QUESTION: M1Y wasn't this airport issue brought out before Grievance Day. so we could get an adjustment in our assessments? S~pervisor Martocchia. that's your department. why didn't you do something about it? SUPERVISOR MARTOCCHIA: I no longer have anything to do with assessment rates. CHAIRMAN; This proposed airport is,tnot a new issue. It was brought up here before the Town Board 10 years ago. at which time they voted it down. But it is still on the books of the Federal Govt. The Federal Law says any study for master planning financed by them must include a possible location for an airport. QUESTION: Why wasn't the present airport at Mattituck shown on the map? Why was it forgotten? CHAIRMAN: The present airport at Mattituck was not forgotten. The reason it was not shown on the map is because it was too small an area to color in. A lot of the small businesses scattered throughout the Town were not shown for the same reason. OPINION- QUESTION: I come from the west end of the Island. We have municipal water and we are paying very dearly for it in taxes. Our population is very dense. We are now having a problem with septic tanks over flowing. Our only alternative is a public sewerage system. which is going to be even more costly than the water. I think your plan for density is ex- cellent. I think you should stick to it. The farmers will appreciate the 2 acre zoning later. I feel that they should be given a break in taxes to help them out. In reference to industry. you would be wise to consider clean industrial businesses. ones without soet. smOke. or wastes. I think the Town should have a controll over its population. If you have a large density of population you need more schools. The cost of schools is very high. The school tax is the largest single item on your tax bill. I would like to suggest that we should have more park area. Mattituck has very few parks to go to. I wish we could have some more ,park area. . -5- . '. . CHAIRMAN: Thank you for your opinions. J: am glad to see that you understand the issues and agree with them. But in reference to the park there just is not enough land to makea p~rk and playground area on eastern L.J:. for all the people in New York City. We want more parks. yes. but we want Town parks. At present the Town Board is not in a position to finance them. CHAIRMAN: J:n reference to sewerage. The County is now making a complete study of the eastern towns on the need. estimate, and cost of a sewerage system. We think we can possibly get by without municipal water. We are very lucky to have other alter- natives. A sewerage system is even more expensive than a water system. These are the reasons we suggest one or two acre zoning. to alleviate the need for municipal water or sewerage. QUESTJ:ON: J:t says here in the booklet that in 1965 over half of Southold's acres of land were in agricultural use. That would be approximately 14.000 acres. The 1965 value of the total farm crop was in excess of eight million dollars. That means that each farmer had a gross income of $23.000. After he pays his bills how do you expect the farmer to make a profit? CHAIRMAN: Yes. J: agree the farming problem is very serious. One more bad year for potatoes and we won't have any agriculture. QUESTJ:ON: When will this airport come into being? CHAIRMAN: My own opinion is that it will never come. QUESTJ:ON: How large will it be? What will it accomodate? CHAIRMAN: J:t is proposed to handle small jets. QUESTJ:ON: Why do we need an airport like that here? J:s it going to be so dense. like New York city? CHAIRMAN: J: don't know. J: don't ,"hink this will ever happenl QUESTJ:ON: As long as this proposal is on the map, will it affect our assessments? CHAIRMAN: NO. it will not. Does the New York Stock Market react on rumor or fact? The same applies here. QUESTJ:ON: J: agree with your plan for development so we don't get over crowded, but why stick an airport in here? C11airman explained again that this is only a proposal made by=the N.Y.S. Bureau of Aviations. . -6- . COUNCILMAN DEMAREST: About 8 years ago Spellman Associates made a survey. They said that all the funds will be available for airports at Orient & Mattituck, all we had to do was request them. We, the Town Board, turned them down. When we first saw the airport on this map we requested that it be taken off, but in order to get funds we had to leave it on. This is the only reason it was shown on the map, we have no plans for such an airport. CHAIRMAN: The Planning Board feels the same as the Town Board, we don't want it. QUEST~ON: ~t says here in the booklet that state and federal funds are available for acquiring park area. What is the Planning Board doing about park area? CHAIRMAN: As ~ said before w~rying to keep all of our parks town owned. The Planning Board requires a specific amount of land to be set aside in each new subdivision for park and playground area. QUEST~ON: m reference to the fresh water supply, Mattituck has the most abundant supply of water in the entire Town. This area is located in the north-western section of the Town border in g Riverhead's indus~rial zone. The Town of Riverhead is doing a lot odi dredging in there. ~s there anything that can be done about this? CHAIRMAN: Yes, we have taken action on this. We have petitioned the Suffolk County Planning Commission to make them retain a 500 ft. buffer zone. ~f we ever want an industrial zone in this area, it would be an ideal place, but we feel it is more important to preserve our water, the 500' buffer zone is in Riverhead Town. QUEST~ON: Will the property owner be given a chance to speak before the Planning Board passes a resolution to adopt this plan? CHAIRMAN: This is the reason for the information meetings. Now is the time for you to speak up and tell us what you want. QUESTION: will there be a canal around Southold Town Beach? CHAIRMAN: No, this proposal has been dropped. QUESTION: Can the Riverhead Town Board withdraw this 500' buffer zone at any time they wish? CHAIRMAN: No, this restriction has been placed on them by the Suffolk County Planning Commission. . . . -7- . QUESTION: Will Southold Town's industrial zone be next to Levon Properties? CHAIRMAN: N06 our water comes first. QUESTION: You say you are interested in stimulating resort. I don't think you could sell some of the people 2 acres of water front property. CHAIRMAN: The water front property is proposed to be surb- urban densitY6 not 2 acre zoning. This is indicated on the map. Two acre zoning would cover agricultural reside~ce, and some sections of low density. QUESTION: In reference to the dredging gOing on at Levon Properties6 I would like to point out that the beautifuillcsound cliffs in that area have eroded and nothing has been done about it. CHAIRMAN: The Planning Board had a meeting with Levon Properties. The manager does not admit that the deedging caused the erosion but he says that he would like to help. QUESTION: Where will the proposed Expressway end? Why do you propose to put another main highway on the north shore when you all ready have the North Road (CR27)? CHAIRMAN: This new proposed road will be Seundview Road. The Planning Board advises everyone filing for a subdivision in this area to make provisions for this road. QUESTION: Who will Benefit from this road? CHAIRMAN: The part-time residents using the proposed recreation facilities on the sound and the home ewners in the area. MR. JAS. OLSEN; I would like to know the salary of the Chairman and the members of the Planning Board? CHAIRMAN: My salary is $16500 a year6 the members salary is $1,100 a year. We usually put in more than 40 hours a month. We are net making a great deal of moneY6 it doesn't even cover our expenses. QUESTION: Are we considering garbage removal? CHAIRMAN: N06 not at this time. QUESTION: In due course you will finalize this plan? CHAIRMAN: Yes6 that is correct. Yes, it will be changed . -8- . . . over many times before it is adopted. QUEST~ON: ~s the whole plan going ~o be broken down and presented to the people or will it be a package deal taking .the good with the bad? CHAIRMAN: This is why we are here tonight, to break the material down and present it to you. The only thing we may possibly have to accept is the airport. ~f we go to 2 acre zoning there will have to be a public hearing and a map would have to be drawn up showing the 2 acre zone locations. But this will not require a referendum of the people. QUEST~ON; Soundview Road crosses a body of water in Mattituck, is this a proposed bridge? CHAIRMAN: This is just a proposal , we have no definite plans for a bridge here, but we feel that we should have one here. QUEST~ON: Who would benefit from a bridge at this location? CHAIRMAN: The people using Soundview Road. QUEST~ON: Wonr t the Town Board make a decision on it? CHAR~: No, the Planning Board has sole power to pass a resolution adopting it. We will implement the plan. QIEST~ON: Why does the airport have to be on the map? CHAIRMAN: ~ have explained that several times, we borrowed the monej' now we have to live up to it. OP~~ON: We should appreciate what the Planning Board is doing for us. ~ would like to commend Mr. Wickham on his fine work. EVeryone should be willing to help him by offering suggestions in a cooperative manner. OP~~ON: ~ would like to offer a proposal for developers to set aside so much land for future school use in each develop- ment. CHAIRMAN: Yes, this would be a good suggestion. The Planning Board now requires a section of land to be set aside for park and playground area in each new subdivision. CHAIRMAN: ~n reference to 2 acre zoning. The land north of Route 25 must be protected with i acre zoning for the good of all the people in the Town. ~f we are going to impose ~ acre zoning on the farmers we will prepare ourselves to make an adjustment for them in some other way. We have no solution . -9- . '" at this time. We would like 2 acre zoning and we will find some way to help agriculture in return. MR. SCHRIEVER: All these plans involve the farmer continuing to own the land, why don't you give him a tax break? The land is under contract for farming only. Chairman explained negative easements and how they help the farmer. QUESTION: But, isn't agriculture causing our water problems? CHAIRMAN: In proportion, house lots use more water than agriculture. QUESTION: How do we go about entering into these negative easement contracts? CHAIRMAN; The people must first real:ize the need for preserving agriculture and equalizing the load in some way. Then the Planning Board will be glad to prepare a controlled program. Under the State Law we are required to hold a seperate hearing for each contract. We are prepared to take steps for negative easements. All we need is the applicants. QUESTION: Have you looked into buying the land and leasing it to the farmers? CHAIRMAN: Yes, we have. But the proposition didn't look too promising for this area. OPINION: size of a lot demand governs health reasons In reference to 2 acre zoning. I don't think has too much to do with the price. Supply and the price. two acre zoning is very important in the Town of Southold. the for QUESTION: Is there any provision being made for off street parking? CHAIRMAN: Yes, we are working on it. QUESTION: Some time ago Govenor Rockefeller appointed a commission to study agricultural use. Have they come up with a report yet? CHAIRMAN: No, they haven't. The Commission was dissolved because they wasted so much time and didn't come up with any reports. I think it has been re-established since, but I have not heard any reports yet. QUESTION: HOW much of our farm land is owned by speculators? . -10- . , '. ~... CHAIRMAN: Quite a bit. But a large number of these people are farmers from the west end who were driven out of business. Their farms were condemned and confiscated for highway purposes. etc. They purchased the farms here to replace what they had to give up there. Most of the people do not plan to develop the land. they are holding it in the hope of farming it again. In Closing. the Chairman read an article from the New York Times un reference to New York City Master Planning. The City has been working on a development plan for the last 30 yea~s and finally came up with the conclusion that the best possible thing to do would be to forget the whole idea. Respectfully submitted. B~~~e~ecretarY South old Town Planning Board ~~q t" 0 ~~L( - Jo n Wickham. Chairman tJtv . . (..! ---011. c ~If" #- /~ . /~?'j1 ,7 ~ ~I :~-fI/J I ~:e-/ ~ ~~~ :c (" . ~ .J - (; . . ...~. .' . .