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BOARD OF TOWN TRUSTEES
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
BOARD OF TOWN TRUSTEES
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
Minutes
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
6:00 PM
Present were: James King, President
Jill Doherty, Vice President
Peggy Dickerson, Trustee
Dave Bergen, Trustee
Bob Ghosio, Trustee
Kieran Corcoran, Town Attorney
Lauren Standish, Secretarial Assistant
Elizabeth Cantrell, Clerk-Typist
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Town Hall
53095 Route 25
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, New York 11971-0959
Telephone (631) 765-1892
Fax (631) 785-6641
RECEIVED
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Southold Town Clcrk
NEXT FIELD INSPECTION: Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at 8:00 AM
NEXT TRUSTEE MEETING: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 6:00 PM
WORKSESSION: 5:30 PM
TRUSTEE KING: Good evening everyone. Welcome on to our February
meeting. For those of you who don't regularly attend our meetings,
I see a lot of new faces here, my name is a Jim King. I have the
honor of being chairman of this Board.
At this time I would like to introduce the rest of the Board.
The rest of the folks that are here, to my far left is Dave Bergen,
Board of Trustees 2 February 27, 2008
Trustee; next to him is Peggy Dickerson; next to me is Jill
Doherty, vice-chair; to my right, Lauren Standish is our office
manager; to her right is Elizabeth Cantrell, she works in the
office. This is her second meeting. We are training her so if
Lauren decides to run away, she could take over. Next to her is
Bob Ghosio, Trustee; next to him is Kieran Corcoran, assistant town
attorney. He's our legal advisor for tonight. Wayne Galante is
down here, he keeps track of everything everybody says. If you have
comments, please come to the microphone, identify yourself for the
record so he could get everything in his recordings. Don Wilder is
with us from the CAC and we have a new member Glenn McNab. They
are here, the CAC is the Conservation Advisory Council. They come
out and inspect a lot of the same sites we inspect. They give us
their input and their suggestions how we should take care of
business.
With that, I guess we can move forward with our meeting.
I. MONTHLY REPORTS:
TRUSTEE KING: The monthly reports: The Trustees monthly report for
January, 2008. A check for $9,639.45 was forwarded to the
Supervisor's Office for the General Fund.
II. PUBLIC NOTICES:
TRUSTEE KING: Public notices are posted on the Town Clerk's
bulletin board for review.
The next date for field inspections is Wednesday, March 12,
field inspections. Do I have a motion?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Motion.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: Regular meeting, March 19, six o'clock, work session
at 5:30.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I'll make a motion.
TRUSTEE KING: Second. All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
We just talked about the monthly reports.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Jim, can I just mention, first of all, you are
not all going crazy. That's the wrong date. That's when the Power
Point was being put together last night. We are trying to get it
so that everyone can see the pictures instead of us passing them
down from the podium up here. Everyone can have a look at what we
are actually seeing on our field inspections. And our apologies to
the CAC, we have not found the right place for that screen.
Board of Trustees
February 27, 2008
Ideally, we would like to have a little catch up with technology
and press a little button and have the screen pop up here. But we
are not there yet. So enjoy the slide show.
TRUSTEE KING: I think it's good. A lot of people have commented.
This is good. It gives you a little visual showing of it, which is
good.
Also before we go too far, the room, I thought I was in the
wrong place when I walked in the room tonight. It's repainted, new
chairs. It looks pretty spiffy. It's your tax dollars at work.
III. STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEWS:
TRUSTEE KING: We have a number of State Environmental Quality
Reviews. Resolved that the Board of Trustees of the Town of
Southold hereby finds that the following applications more fully
described in Section VI Public Hearings Section of the Trustee
agenda dated Wednesday, February 27, 2008, are classified as Type
II Actions pursuant to SEQRA Rules and Regulations and are not
subject to further review under SEQRA.
They are as follows:
Thomas Geise -SCTM#138-2-27&28
George Garbe -SCTM#35-6-27
Kings & Alphas, LLC C/O Richard Israel -SCTM#35-6-26
Hay Harbor Golf Club, Inc. -SCTM#9-12-8.1
Varujan Arslanyan -SCTM#53-5-10
Richard K. Johnson & Pamela Maino -SCTM#59-6-9
Yan H. Rieger -SCTM#27-4-6
Christian & Heidi Fokine -SCTM#70-4-18
Christopher & Elizabeth Graseck -SCTM#58-2-12
James Meskouris & Others -SCTM#106-1-36
Joanna Lane -SCTM#70-12-39.4
East End Harbor Lights Company, LLC -SCTM#71-2-17
Spiro Geroulanos -SCTM#104-9-13
Debra Lachance -SCTM#52-2-26
Gregory K. Johnson -SCTM#74-1-1
Joseph Zevits -SCTM#88-6-18.4
John Nickles c/o Beixedon Estate POA -SCTM#66-3-14&15
Richard & Ann Pizzicara -SCTM#90-3-1
John & Anita Vassil -SCTM#144-4-11
Henry Mazzoni -SCTM#22-3-18.15
Patrick Scollard -SCTM#123-10-3
Robert & Helen Keith -SCTM#123-10-2
Gardiner's Bay Homeowner's Association -SCTM#37-4-18
Isabelle Houlbreque -SCTM#37-5-16
Board of Trustees 4 February 27, 2008
TRUSTEE KING: Do I have a motion to accept that resolution?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I'll make a motion.
TRUSTEE KING: Do I have a second?
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
IV. RESOLUTIONS -ADMINISTRATIVE PERMITS:
TRUSTEE KING: Before we get into these, we have some postponements.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Page five, number six, the application of Suffolk
Environmental Consulting on behalf of KEVIN GALLAGHER requests a
Wetland Permit to construct two stone revetments at the subject
parcel to curb areas of substantial erosion. Both revetments will
consist of cap stone and toe stone in the 50-100 pound range and
will be backfilled with clean upland sand and vegetated with Cape
American Beach Grass. Located: 40 Beechwood Lane, Southold, has
been postponed
TRUSTEE KING: Number 16 on page six, Patricia Moore on behalf of
JAN JUNGBLUT requests a Wetland Permit to construct a 4x53' fixed
dock, 2.5'x18' ramp and a 6x20' floating dock. Located: 3295 Pine
Neck Road, Southold, is postponed.
Number 20, Costello Marine Contracting on behalf of RICHARD K.
JOHNSON & PAMELA MAINO requests a Wetland Permit to construct a
4x10' ramp up to a 4x18' level fixed dock section with a 3x10'
seasonal wooden ramp onto a seasonal 5x18' floating dock secured by
two 4x4" posts. Located: 7617 Soundview Avenue, Southold, has been
postponed.
Number 26, the application of JOSEPH ZEVITS requests a Wetland
Permit to remove pilings and timber from east side of jetty, remove
existing wood staving and replace with C-Loc 4500 series vinyl
sheathing. Timbers of the east side and most seaward timber on the
west side will be replaced with new CCA timbers. Existing pilings
to be used again and jetty to be bolted with 3/4" bolts. Located:
1375 West Lane, Southold, has been postponed.
And number 27, Sherman Engineering & Consulting on behalf of
CHRISTIAN AND HEIDI FOKINE requests a Wetland Permit to remove the
existing steps and to construct a 4'x51.4" catwalk using
transparent plastic oralam grated decking, a 4'x12'10"
prefabricated metal ramp and a 5x12' floating dock. Located: 2505
Wells Avenue, Southold, has been postponed.
We don't want to have anybody sitting here thinking they're
Boazd of Trustees 5 Februazy 27, 2008
going to come up and they are not.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Also, number two, under Wetlands, Vicki Toth on
behalf of RICHARD AND ANN PIZZICARA requests a Wetland Permit to
construct a 45.5'x32' one-story addition, a 13.2'x8' one-story
addition and a 10x15' rear deck extension to the existing dwelling.
Located: 150 Lakeside Drive North, Southold, will not be a public
hearing because it was found to be out of our jurisdiction. So
that will not have a hearing.
TRUSTEE KING: Under Resolutions and Administrative Permits, in
trying to move these meetings along a little quicker so we are not
here all night, one through seven, there was no problems with
them. They were very simple, so I make a motion to approve those
in one lump sum. They read as follows:
LAWRENCE HALL requests an Amendment to Administrative Permit
#6542A to repair/replace rear foundation. Located: 575 Mill Creek
Drive, Southold.
Garrett A. Strang, Architect on behalf of SOUTHOLD PARK
DISTRICT requests an Amendment to Administrative Permit #6677A to
install an entire new and separate sanitary system with traffic
bearing covers and further away from the high water mark and edge
of the beach. Located: Founder's Landing Park, Terry Lane,
Southold.
Number three, HARRY BROOM requests an Administrative Permit to
construct a 12.5'x11' sunroom and 6.75'x10.5' and 6.75'x6.75'
flanking porches. Located: 1948 Peninsula Road, Fisher's Island.
Number four, HP Broom Housewright on behalf of WL LYONS BROWN
III AND SUZANNE BROWN requests an Administrative Permit to repair
and enclose the existing porch. Located: 713 Hedge Street, Fishers
Island.
Number five, HP Broom Housewright on behalf of WL LYONS BROWN
III AND SUZANNE BROWN requests an Administrative Permit to remodel
the existing kitchen, relocate the stairs, add French doors to the
dining room and remodel the second floor. Located: 667 Hedge
Street, Fishers Island.
Number six, Thomas Thompson/Fine Care Landscaping on behalf of
ANTHONY LOMANGINO requests an Administrative Permit to install a
fence approximately 56' long and six feet high along the eastern
Board of Trustees 6 February 27, 2008
border of the property. Located: 375 Beachwood Road, Cutchogue.
Number seven, Frederick Weber, Architect, on behalf of SCOTT
AND JENNIFER SCHULMAN requests an Administrative Permit to
construct asecond-floor addition to the existing dwelling.
Located: 1570 Ole Jule Lane, Mattituck.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
V. APPLICATIONS FOR AMENDMENTS/EXTENSIONSITRANSFERS:
TRUSTEE KING: Applications for amendments, extensions and
transfers, we'll lump together one two, four, five, six, seven and
eight.
MR. MILTNER: We have something to say about numbers one and two.
TRUSTEE KING: Okay, we'll take comment.
MR. MILTNER: Do you want us to do that now?
TRUSTEE BERGEN: You have to open it.
TRUSTEE KING: These are not public hearings but we'll take a
comment on one and two.
MR. MILTNER: Hi, I'm Richard Miltner, 3100 Deep Hole Drive,
Mattituck.
We have lived there at 3100 Deep Hole Drive for the last 12
years. The creek entrance to Deep Hole Creek has been the same for
the last 12 years that we have been here and it was wide and the
main channel and everything is the same.
Now, for the last three-and-a-half years, since then, the
creek has narrowed each year. I have pictures here now which my
wife will bring up to you. You can't even get in and out of it
anymore. It's blocked off. From 995 Willis Creek, when that
breakwater went up, the bulkheading, it's changed every year since
then. And it has gotten worse and worse and worse. Those pictures
were taken the 14th of this month.
That's Willis Creek as you come in. Those docks are
completely out of the water on a moon tide. They were
three-and-a-half foot of water in there at a low tide, normally,
since I been there.
My neighbor Ben on one side and Jimmy on the other side have
been there since 1964. The creek entrance has not changed since
then until the last two-and-a-half to three years.
The dredge company, I talked to the foreman of them, they said
that at the point where they normally dredge is out usually toward
the end. It has moved back 150 feet. It doesn't get as long.
It's shorter but wider and the majority of the sand is running the
other side. That breakwater has made like, the bulkhead has made
Board of Trustees 7 February 27, 2008
like a slues way and I have taken soda bottles, put the caps on
them, throw them in the water there. You can't run as fast as they
go down. I can't keep up with them in a kayak. If you go there on
the
changing, incoming tide, the sand and the bottles go down. If
you are there when it's half tide or more, when it's starting to
really run, it just goes right down the line. The sand has built
that whole thing up and closed that entrance right off.
MS. MILTNER: Effectively, the agreement to do this has closed off
Willis Creek.
MR. MILTNER: Now, there are 23 people between the Willis Creek side
drive; they have seven and there is 15 on Deep Hole Drive. There
is 20-something boats in there, up to 28 feet. We can get in and
out half tide or better last year with the bigger boats and just
about made it out getting the boats out of the water last year.
I took these pictures the 14th of this month. You can't get
in and out of there at all now.
MS. MILTNER: And if you look at number two, Mr. and Mrs. Keith's
request, they want a grade along the top the escarped embankment
can grow on. The escarped embankment the they are grading now you
had --
MR. MILTNER: I don't know if it's going to make it worse or what it
will accomplish. What is there now has changed everything.
TRUSTEE KING: This application is for stone to be replaced well
inside those low sill bulkheads.
MR. MILTNER: But what happens now, the water goes in under it and
behind it. What happens if they stopped it off and make it more
solid it will be more of a slues way going down.
TRUSTEE KING: What they are applying for is way upon the upland on
the toe of the bluff, along the top. It's no way near where this
bulkhead is. I'm very familiar with this. These were low sill
bulkheads that were a requirement from DEC. DEC required them to
build these low sill bulkheads. They planted behind them with
spartina, which we thought really came out be to be a nice
project.
MR. MILTNER: It turned out to be a nice project but it created a
havoc for 23 families.
TRUSTEE KING: But this application is simply for stone up inside to
protect the toe of that bank. It has nothing do with what the
problem is.
MR. MILTNER: I just want you to know what is going on here.
Because nothing changed since that last bulkhead went in.
TRUSTEE KING: I don't know what to tell you. This really has no,
it will have no impact whatsoever on what is going on now. You are
coming across now with a problem that you say has been created by
Boazd of Trustees 8 February 27, 2008
these low sill bulkheads.
MR. MILTNER: Right. Right. That's my problem. That bulkhead, you
can keep that, if you want that.
TRUSTEE KING: Like I say, this was a requirement from DEC. The
Keith's and the Scollard's, I was on the Board then, they came in,
I think they wanted stone revetment, if I remember right, and then
it was a low sill bulkhead that was required by DEC with planting
spartina.
MR. MILTNER: Yes. And high tide sometimes goes over it.
TRUSTEE KING: That's the idea of a low sill bulkhead. It's
supposed to flood so the spartina can grow. It grows in the water.
That was the whole concept of that was to stop that clay bank from
falling off and at the same time get a wetland established in
there.
MR. MILTNER: But the jagged clay bank is keeping -- you are on the
at the end of the thing and the sand bar is out here. So the water
has to go through here. Now it's forced coming down that side.
It's like running Shinnecock Canal. The water just goes right
through there. It's just pulling all the sand up the other end. I
don't know whether they can do something. The guy from the dredge
company said if we get on the list, he'll do it when he does Deep
Hole Creek.
TRUSTEE KING: Quite frankly, I don't have an answer for you right
now. But I do know what we are looking at now, there is no effect
on that.
MS. MILTNER: We couldn't tell from how it was written, that's why
we came.
TRUSTEE KING: Okay.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Do you want to look at the surveys quick?
MR. MILTNER: Yes, please.
MR. HERMAN: Jim, just to shed a little light on it. The
conditions of this creek entrance -- well, I'll wait until he's
done because I'm mostly saying this for his benefit.
MR. MILTNER: (Perusing.) The problem is this, you can see with the
other pictures it's running down and it's covered right over and it
brought it all the way out. You can jump across this now.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Right. Yes.
MR. MILTNER: Thank you
MR. HERMAN: Just in quick response.
TRUSTEE KING: I believe you were the consultant on these previous
applications.
MR. HERMAN: We were. And right, I certainly can't suggest that I
know more about what is going on there than the gentleman that
lives there. But I know the conditions of that entire creek
entrance were changing long before this low sill bulkhead was
built. That was the purpose of building a low sill bulkhead
Board of Trustees
February 27, 2008
because what was happening is as that barrier split across the way,
it kept narrowing and narrowing and eroding and eroding, it was
actually increasing the fetch in this entrance way and what was
happening is you were actually, the entrance was maintaining itself
at the expense not only of Scollard's and Keith's property but all
of that marsh that used to provide flood protection for that entire
area. But all of that marsh was being lopped off by several feet
per year. So your Board, and Kenny was on the Board, at that time,
there were a bunch of different alternatives that were suggested
down there, most of which required hardening the shoreline, and it
was deemed best by all agencies to not completely harden the
shoreline but to have a low sill bulkhead where the flood waters
will go over that so basically it not only retained the marsh that
was there but enhanced it, and I think probably what is happening
now is because the low sill bulkhead is there, as that water comes
around and wants to widen the entrance in that direction, it can't
completely widen it in that direction anymore because the bulkhead
is there. The area needs to be dredged, but point of it is, it was
not like everything was hunky dory for decades and they put in the
bulkhead and everything went to hell. The bulkhead project was
generated because that shoreline suddenly started losing many feet
per year after having been a stable wetland for a hundred years.
MR. MILTNER: In front of the one house, the two houses.
MR. HERMAN: It's that entire point. Those houses happen to be on
that entryway. But I think my point is that the thrust of the
project that was to preserve those two dwellings was the stone that
is upland. The thrust of the purpose of the low sill bulkhead was
to preserve the wetlands.
MR. MILTNER: It didn't work.
MR. HERMAN: Well, sure it has. All those wetlands were lost and now
you've got more wetlands than were there before. I'm not begrudging
what you were saying in terms of something happening farther down
the road. But what I'm saying is that was generated, as Jim said at
the time, by the DEC as a way to preserve that wetland area.
MR. MILTNER: It didn't work.
MR. HERMAN: It sounds like it's working at the expense of somebody
else.
MR. MILTNER: At the expense of 23 other families. We all pay for
waterfront property, taxes, our insurance, our docks and our
walkways and now we don't have it.
TRUSTEE KING: Okay, moving right along. We can group four through
eight together also.
So one, two, four, five, six, seven, eight, we can lump
together. They read as follows:
En-Consultants on behalf of PATRICK SCOLLARD requests an Amendment
Board of Trustees 10 February 27, 2008
to Permit #5701 to construct approximately 88 linear feet of
100-200 pound stone rip-rap atop landward side of existing rip-rap
and backfill with approximately 50 cubic yards clean sand fill to
be trucked in from an upland source and planted with Cape American
Beachgrass (12' on center.) Located: 905 Willis Creek Drive,
Mattituck.
Number two, En-Consultants on behalf of ROBERT AND HELEN KEITH
requests an Amendment to Permit #5700 to extend the existing stone
rip-rap along eroded embankment by adding approximately 161 linear
feet of 50-100 pound stone on filter cloth on grade along toe of
escarped embankment. Located: 995 Willis Creek Drive, Mattituck.
Number four, EMANUEL ARTURI requests aone-year extension to Permit
#6322 as issued on March 22, 2006, and amended on May 16, 2007.
Located: 7600 Peconic Bay Boulevard, Laurel.
Number five, Suffolk Environmental on behalf of CARLA STARCIC
requests aone-year extension to Permit #6327 as issued on March
22, 2006. Located: 205 Private Road #3, Southold.
Number six, Fairweather-Brown on behalf of NANCY BRADLEY AND
JEANINE MURPHY requests aone-year extension to Permit #6323 as
issued on March 22, 2006 and as depicted on the revised plan
prepared by Fairweather-Brown last dated February 12, 2008.
Located: 550 West Creek Avenue, Cutchogue.
Number seven, PECONIC LAND TRUST requests a Transfer of Permit
#6326 from Love Lane Acquisition Corp., to Peconic Land Trust, as
issued on March 22, 2006, and aone-year extension to Permit #6326.
Located: 650 First Street, New Suffolk and;
Number eight, Garrett A. Strang, Architect on behalf of SPIRO
GEROULANOS requests a Transfer of Permit #684 from Howard G. Neinke
to Spiro Geroulanos as issued on September 20, 1971. Located: 2130
Broadwaters Road, Cutchogue.
I'll make a motion to approve those.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: And we have En-Consultants on behalf of ROBERT
LEIGHTON requests an Amendment to Permit #1738 to construct
approximately 72 linear feet of vinyl bulkhead in place of existing
timber bulkhead; construct +/-8' and +/-16' vinyl bulkhead returns
immediately landward of existing timber returns to be removed; and
backfill with approximately 20 cubic yards clean sand fill to be
trucked in from an upland source. Located: 335 Rochelle Place,
Board of Trustees
11 Februazy 27, 2008
Mattituck.
I think what we wanted to see there is a 15-foot non-turf buffer.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Yes.
TRUSTEE KING: I think this is the one I talked to you about, there
is a little dilapidated part of a groin.
MR. HERMAN: You are thinking of East End. That's in the public
hearings.
TRUSTEE KING: Okay. So that was the only thing on that was we
wanted to see anon-turf buffer there. With that being said I'll
make a motion to approve.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
MR. HERMAN: What was the suggested width of the buffer?
TRUSTEE KING: 15 feet.
MR. HERMAN: Is the Board switching from ten to 15 on these standard
buffers? Because the house is less than 90 feet from the
bulkhead. Usually you don't have a buffer that wide.
TRUSTEE KING: We have been trying to do it according to the size of
the lawn. It's about, we felt 15-foot was not overly restrictive.
MR. HERMAN: All right. It's just, again, I'm trying to advise
people what to expect and I told Mr. Leighton ten feet would
probably be required as a non-turf buffer. So I would probably
have to ask him.
TRUSTEE KING: Tell him you lied
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: To answer your question, since I have been on the
Board, I think we have been pretty much starting at 15 feet and
moving out from there. I don't think we have done a ten foot in a
while.
TRUSTEE KING: In the smaller yard areas we have.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: In extremely small yards we have done five and ten.
TRUSTEE KING: We made some five and six feet when we only had 30
feet. You know, he'll be disturbing at least 15 feet there to do
the work.
MR. HERMAN: Okay, if it's a problem, we'll come back.
TRUSTEE KING: Okay.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: On number six, does the building department want
it in the original --
MS. STANDISH: They want me to spell it out. They want to abandon
this one and this is out of our jurisdiction. We are okay with
what they are doing here with the sanitary.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Can we just write the amendment stating as per
survey dated bla, bla, bla with showing the revised location for
the septic or should we make that part of the amendment?
TRUSTEE KING: Why don't we just go back to number six. We'll go
back to number six under amendments and extensions.
Board of Trustees 12 February 27, 2008
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Do you need to make a motion to reopen.
TRUSTEE KING: It's just a clarification, the existing sanitary
system is to be abandoned. There is to be a new sanitary system
installed landward of the pump house, which I think is out of our
jurisdiction. Yes. Which puts it out of our jurisdiction. But the
only septic system will be abandoned. Just to make sure that's in
the record. With that I'll make a motion to approve.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: Do I have a motion
go on to public hearings?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: So moved.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
to go off our regular hearings and
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
TRUSTEE KING: This is the public hearings section of our meeting.
If you want, if you have comments to make, please keep them brief.
Limit yourself to five minutes. Sometimes these get a little out
of hand and it goes on and on and we end up with pages and pages of
minutes, which in my mind are not necessary.
Number one, JMO Environmental on behalf of HAY HARBOR GOLF
CLUB, INC., requests a Wetland Permit and Coastal Erosion Permit to
restore approximately 550' of eroded shoreline by installing a
"boulder slope" consisting of 2-4 ton boulders which shall be
placed on filter fabric and a rock chip base. Any disturbed areas
shall be replaced with Rosa Rugosa and Bayberry. Located: Beach
Avenue, Fishers Island.
Is there anyone here to speak on this application?
(No response.)
I take it Mr. Just is not here. I looked at this on Fishers
Island with the DEC. This is on the south shore of Fishers Island,
Block Island Sound. I wish Mr. Just was here because we talked
about downsizing what they originally had wanted. I don't think
there is anything here that really shows it. I didn't have a huge
problem with what they want to do there. It's getting beat up
pretty good.
What it is, it's almost like a clay bank and there are a lot
of clip swallow nests along the top of this clay bank. So we
lowered the revetment so -- it's almost a vertical bank because
it's clay, so they are going to put stones along the base of it and
Boazd of Trustees
13 February 27, 2008
lower than what they originally wanted. I wish he was here to help
go over some of this. Maybe we'll put this on hold and see if Mr.
Just shows up. He has other ones on the agenda. He probably
didn't expect to be up front.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Do you want to table it for later on?
TRUSTEE KING: I think we should. Let's table this for later on.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: What did you want to go over with him?
TRUSTEE KING: I wanted to make sure we are on the same page. It
will be a little smaller project than what they wanted. If you
want to move forward with it, like I said, I didn't have a problem
with it. I would like to us be consistent with what the DEC wants
because the two agencies, both agencies were there looking at it.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: If you don't have a problem with it, it's smaller,
why don't we move ahead.
TRUSTEE KING: It was found consistent with LWRP.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Because we can always open it up later if we have
to.
TRUSTEE KING: All right, we'll move forward. I don't think the CAC
made a recommendation. They made no inspection so there was no
recommendation.
On my field notes, lower the top of the proposed rocks, plant
behind this, it's a clay bank, cliff swallow nests. So, like I
say, we were all pretty much in agreement with what they were going
to do there. So we can go ahead. I'll make a motion to close the
hearing on it.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: I'll make a motion to approve the application with
the modifications that were discussed and agreed to in the field.
Do I have a second?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: I want to make sure Glen has the new plans because I
think they'll be a little different than these. These might be
modified from what they wanted.
WETLAND PERMITS:
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Number one under Wetland Permits, YAN H. RIEGER
requests a Wetland Permit for the existing attached deck, steps and
platform located on the seaward side of the dwelling. Located: 370
Harbor Road, Orient.
Jill and I both inspected this a couple of weeks ago. We have
an LWRP recommendation that the proposed action is inconsistent and
Board of Trustees
14 February 27, 2008
it's inconsistent with LWRP based on protecting restoring tidal
freshwater wetlands. The document does say that in the event the
application is approved, that best management practice is
recommended requiring a minimum 15-foot non-turf buffer between the
top of the slope and the deck. I can say -- we have all seen it.
We saw it for a different application. Basically that non-turf
buffer does exist already and it's all beachgrass and rocks and
cactus and stuff. So I think we are pretty much covered there
based on what we saw. The Southold Town CAC resolved to support of
application.
I will say for the record that I did get a phone call from a
neighbor who was concerned about this for various reasons, most
notably there was a question as to whether or not this deck was
actually building materials from a platform that he's showing the
on the survey that used to be out more toward the beach and he's
saying he's relocating it. There is noway for us to quantify
whether or not this was made from materials that were moved from
that platform or not, but it's clear to me and Jill that the deck
has been there for a while. It's setback further than other decks
from a high tide mark, from some of the neighbors, and we really
didn't have any objection on this pre-existing deck.
Is there anybody here who would like to speak on this
application?
MR. RIEGER: My name is Yan Rieger, I am the owner of that property.
Part of the substructure was used for the platform and also part of
the upper structure to the storm at that time. So some parts have
been replaced. Now, can I ask who is the neighbor who submitted
the question?
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: I don't know.
MR. RIEGER: Another question I have. It's my understanding Mr.
Hamilton came out last month to inspect the shoreline in reference
to some other projects, and I was wondering if the problem on
Harbor Road, Narrow River Road and Harbor Road, has been addressed,
because there is adjacent to my neighbors and the blacktop is sort
of moving really very slowly into the bay. And I have pictures of
that which I just took today and I'm curious if that is anything,
if that has been addressed.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Are you talking about the road --
MR. RIEGER: End of Narrow River Road
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: We were not sure if that was the end of King
Street or Narrow River. I have a storm water runoff committee
meeting tomorrow night and I plan on bringing that up. It has
gotten worse in the past year
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: We noticed it when we parked there.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: And it is on our long list. But I'll try to move
it up on our list in priority.
Board of Trustees 15 February 27, 2008
MR. RIEGER: It definitely affect my property because it actually
does erode more of my property. I have two photographs, one from
1990, an aerial picture of the shoreline, and also I have some
pictures from Google Earth showing the shoreline. So it definitely
has an impact on my neighbor's property and also mine.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Can you bring those pictures into our office
tomorrow and I'll pick them up and bring them to the meeting?
MR. RIEGER: Sure.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Is there anyone else here who like to address this
application?
(No response.)
If not, I'll make a motion we close this hearing.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: I would like to make a motion that we approve the
application of Yan Rieger for wetland
and steps and platform as described
Harbor Road, Orient.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
permit for the existing deck
on the survey located at 370
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: I find this consistent based upon having already
seen that the practices, the best management practices have
established a 15-foot non-turf buffer. I want to include that as
part of the motion.
MS. STANDISH: You want one or is there already one?
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: There is one already.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE BERGEN: With regard to number iwo, RICHARD & ANN PIZZICARA,
as Trustee Doherty announced earlier, we are not having a public
hearing on this. I don't know if Vicki Toth is here tonight. The
reason being we went out and looked at this and this is all outside
our jurisdiction so there is no need for a public hearing. We'll
issue a letter of non-jurisdiction letter and refund 200 of the
$250 charge.
MS. PIZZICARA: Great. Thank you.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Number three, Architecnologies on behalf of
CHRISTOPHER 8~ ELIZABETH GRASECK requests a Wetland Permit for the
demolition of the existing roof, demolition of existing waterfront
exterior wall and partial demolition of existing side/waterfront
walls; proposed addition of first floor with crawl space with
Board of Trustees 16 February 27, 2008
second floor above; proposed new septic system and installation of
drywells to contain roof runoff. Located: 1910 Leeton Drive,
Southold.
Is there anyone here who would like to speak? Come up please,
and state your name.
MS. GRASECK: I'm Elizabeth Graseck. I'm here representing my
husband and myself. My husband couldn't be here.
We are requesting changes made basically for two reasons, one
is we are a growing family; my daughter is three, my son is one.
It's a two bedroom. That configuration won't last forever. And
there is some structural issues with the house. And I just wanted
to give you a little bit of color and flavor of who we are and why
we have this spot.
Basically, you know, I have been coming to Leeton drive for 30
years. My best friend lives across the street. She has been
coming for 40. Her father built that house. It's a special place
for us. I was in Japan from '92 to'98. When I came back I really
wanted to reestablish some roots for a variety of reasons and when
this house went up for sale it was a great opportunity for me to be
right across the street from my friend.
When I had been looking starting in '98 on the North Fork, I
looked at a lot of places that were bigger; bigger space, bigger
house, and I didn't go for any of them basically because they were
not there across the street from my friend.
So when this came up, like I mentioned, I jumped at the
opportunity. And I met my husband in 2000 on the beach. It's kind
of you funny because his parents met on the same beach in front of
the camp that is down the block from the beach, as you probably
know. Both his maternal and paternal grandparents owned on the
block. So he really spent his whole life growing up here in the
summers and if he were here he would tell you all about spring
peepers and when they start and all that stuff. But I'm sure you
all know that anyway.
It's more than a summer place, his dad lives in town, his
uncle Bob White, retired cop of Southold lives in Cutchogue and his
mom still lives down the block.
I want to give you a sense as to who we are and why we are
looking to expand and the reason for that, as I mentioned is, there
are some structural issues with the house and there is a need to
increase the space given the fact that we have two kids, a
three-year old girl and one-year old son, and with two bedrooms,
it's a little tight.
We did spend some time talking with our neighbors during the
summer with the designs and we moved the house back quite a bit.
The front of the house is being moved back close to 19 feet away
from the water to help deal with some of the questions and concerns
Board of Trustees 17 February 27, 2008
that were raised on the part of our neighbors and so I leave it
there. And my architect here Frank Notaro, can answer all the bits
and bobs on the structural questions that anybody might have.
TRUSTEE KING: Thank you.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: I think we all went out to look at this. I had
to go out on a separate day but I don't believe there are any
problems since most of it is landward, as you said, of the
shoreline. I had one question. I didn't go out to the front. The
wood walkway goes to a wood deck?
MS. GRASECK: Yes. That's correct
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: That was my question because on the survey i~
says "deck" and I didn't know what kind of deck. It's just a flat
wooden area?
MS. GRASECK: Correct.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: The field notes from the entire Board say okay.
CAC supports the application and it is consistent with LWRP. There
are no issues as far as the Board is concerned.
Is there anyone else here to speak; anyone else with any
concerns?
(Negative response.)
I'll make a motion to close the hearing.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: I'll make a motion to approve for Christopher
and Elizabeth Graseck for the proposed demolition and additions and
renovations as stated in the application for 1910 Leeton Drive.
And it did have, the plans do have the drywells to contain roof
runoff. I didn't see anything else. We also agree and recommend
it's consistent with LWRP.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Number four, Garrett A. Strang, Architect on
behalf of SPIRO GEROULANOS requests a Wetland Permit to install an
inground swimming pool, terrace, retaining wall and new lawn area.
Located: 2130 Broadwaters Road, Cutchogue.
We all went out to inspect this. The surveyor had marked on
the surveyed wetland line and we had, Heather was not with us that
day, our environmental technician, we had her go out and mark the
wetland line where she thought it was and there is a little by the
of a difference. And I believe Mr. Strang is here with a survey
showing the two different lines and he would like to talk about how
we can try to reconfigure the pool and see if we could fit the pool
in there. Because as marked, the wetland lines by our
Boazd of Trustees 18 Februazy 27, 2008
environmental technician as they have applied for it, it's not 50
feet beyond the wetland line.
So with that, Mr. Strang?
MR. STRANG: Gary Strang, Architect, on behalf of the Spiro
Geroulanos application.
I would like to bring this map up, if I may. What I did
today, as Jill mentioned, there is a discrepancy between what was
originally noted on the survey to the edge of the wetlands and what
the Trustees have determined. And what I have done is, with the
help of a surveyor, this is the original line of the wetlands. The
black line, is the original wetland delineation. Now, when I spoke
with my client earlier today, and he apologizes for not being able
to be here tonight. He just got back from being out of town and
was not able to be out here tonight. He made me aware he paid
special attention to retain a qualified environmental consultant to
plot this line. That was En-Consultants. Rob Herman plotted the
line. This is what the client tells me. So he's a little
disturbed by the fact that there is such a discrepancy between the
red line, being the line that the Trustees had plotted, the black
line being what En-Consultants had plotted.
The 50-foot setback line from the Trustees line, this orange
line, which as can you see really cuts through and almost makes it
basically impossible to do what we have proposed. Obviously what
we had proposed did maintain the 50 foot setback and the
orientation is such that we were trying to work the contours of the
land. So it made the most sense and was the least intrusive.
So the question we are at, at this point, is I had to explain
to him why the consulting that he hired and plotted the line is not
in fact accurate in the eyes of the Trustees.
TRUSTEE KING: 1 don't know if it may be in line the eyes of the
Trustees. It may not be in line with the eyes of the second
flagging. I have not gone out to compare the two. I think we need
to do that.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: I think so. Because we went down there as a group
and when we looked at it as a group we thought the wetland boundary
was down here lower also.
MR. STRANG: I recall going with you and I think we all believed
that was the case. So this is a big shock, not only to me, but
obviously also my client.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: If we have where the line is.
TRUSTEE KING: I think we wanted it verified.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: We wanted the environmental technician to go down
there and look at it.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Since it's so close.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Also, as I recall, the pool was not staked, so
would help us the next time we are out there the pool could be
Board of Trustees 19 February 27, 2008
staked and that way, as well as the applied for a retaining wall,
if that could be staked so that way we can see everything exactly
where it's meant to me.
MR. STRANG: We were planning on doing that. The reason we didn't
is because if it was going to become moot based on the new wetland
line being less than where we are. But we would be more than happy
to have that staked as proposed on this map so the Trustees can
visualize it better. Are there any other questions?
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: With the pool here and the elevation as steep as
it obviously is, this will be a lot of fill for to you bring it up to --
MR. STRANG: We'll put the retaining wall here as shown. The
excavation spoils from the pool will be used to fill this area in,
okay, and I think part of the application is the calculations, part
of my application is the calculations with respect to how to
accomplish that.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I asked that question in the field because it does
shows a retaining wall. I believe you said it will be four feet up.
MR. STRANG: What we'll do also at the suggestion --Jill, you may
have suggested this -- is we'll have the surveyor place the stake
like at the middle of the wall flagging the actual height of the
wall so it becomes quite clear what you are going to be looking at.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Okay, any other comments on this application?
(No response.)
MR. STRANG: I could leave this with you.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Okay. Hearing no other comments, I would like to
leave this public hearing open and go out on the next field
inspection day and look at the stakes and look at the wetland
line. Everybody wants the proposed pool staked?
(Trustees respond in the affirmative.)
TRUSTEE KING: Table this, that's the idea?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Keep it open. Yes, table it.
MR. STRANG: We'll have it staked before the 18th field inspection.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: The 12th.
MR. STRANG: Sorry. The 12th. Yes.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Can you make sure it's staked at least a week
prior to because CAC goes out at a different time and then this way
we make sure it's done when we go out.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: A week prior to the 12th.
MR. STRANG: Okay, by the 5th. The surveyor I know is out of town.
He's due back Monday or Tuesday so I'll leave a voice message or
E-mail him.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: If there is a problem, let the office know.
MR. STRANG: It shouldn't be. Thank you, for your consideration.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I'll make a motion to table the application on
behalf of Spiro Geroulanos.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second.
Board of Trustees 20 February 27, 2008
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: I would like to go back to what I said in the
beginning of the meeting; keep your comments to five minutes.
Number five, Suffolk Environmental Consulting on behalf of
JOHN NICKLES C/O BEIXEDON ESTATE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION
requests a Wetland Permit for the reconstruction/replacement of the
existing eastern/inner bulkhead within Petty's Pond and the
entrance to Southold Bay (note: The northern return will be reduced
by two feet; the existing docks and ramps are to remain);
reconstruction/reduction of the existing eastern/outer "box" jetty,
from adouble-walled structure measuring 308'+/- overall, to a
single-walled jetty measuring 278'+/-; removal/cutting at
underwater grade the remnant pilings situated seaward of the outer
"box" jetty; reconstruction/replacement of the existing
western/inner bulkhead within Petty's Pond and the entrance to
Southold Bay; and reconstruction/reduction of the existing
western/outer bulkhead/jetty, eliminating the 34'+/- of "box" jetty
and the 113'+/- of the outermost jetty. The resulting conditions of
the project site would include an eastern bulkhead/jetty system
measuring approximately 564+/- linear feet comprised of fiberglass
sheathing, including the single-walled jetty extending into
Southold Bay and the western bulkhead/jetty system measuring
approximately 159+/- linear feet, also comprised of fiberglass
sheathing. Located: Arshamomaque Avenue and Petty's Pond, Southold.
There is a lot of history to this. I would like to just kind
of preface everything I have to say about it. This is an extremely
difficult application at its time. We should be weighing the
files, it's probably 20 pounds of file here on it.
What happened here, we had numerous public hearings on this
application. We approved it. DEC also approved this and on the
engineers, there were lawsuits from opposition against this. The
lawsuits were reached in favor of the town and in favor of the
DEC. And what happened, the applicants kind of dropped the ball,
they failed to extend their permit. And the policy of this Board
is that if the permit expires or if you fail to extend it, you have
to go through another public hearing. And that's what this is all
about.
Were it not for the applicant kind of dropping the ball and
being careless, we would not be sitting here tonight going over
this. So for me, personally, this is procedural. I have been out
there on numerous occasions. I'm sure we'll get into some
discussion on this. I'm sure the opposition will be discussing
this. Like I said, this is not going to turn into a real long
drawn out thing like it was before.
Board of Trustees 21 February 27, 2008
So with that, is there anybody here to speak on behalf of
this?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I just want to say one thing --
TRUSTEE KING: And I should bring up the fact, too, myself and Peg
Dickerson were the two trustees on the previous board that approved
this in, I think it was 2004. The other members were not here.
They have reviewed these files and gone through everything. They
have all been out to the site. So I think everybody has a pretty
good knowledge of what is going on.
With that, I'll turn it over to Jill.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: That's what I wanted to say.
MR. CORCORAN: May I suggest that you consider incorporating the
record from the prior hearings and submissions on this application
so we don't rehash too much of the factual stuff that was discussed
over and over again previously.
And I would also just implore everybody to try and focus on
new information or new factual information since the time of the
grant of the prior permit. I know it's hard to parse things out
completely, but that would be the most crucial information this
Board would need to hear tonight.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Jim, I know there has been several letters written
and I was just going to suggest that in place of reading every
letter in its entirety, if we could, if the letter writer is here,
ask if they could stipulate that we have accepted the letter as
written so there is no need to read every letter into the record
here. It's a practice that the Board has used in the past.
TRUSTEE KING: We have a couple here that we received today. I have
not seen these. They came in today.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I want to mention, on a couple of letters there
seems to be some mis-facts here. This application is proposed for
exactly what was approved previously. There is no additions, no
extensions of anything. A couple of letters suggested that they
are asking fora 150-foot extension on the jetty. It's not. They
are applying for exactly what was approved in 2004.
MR. CORCORAN: My only advice on that, do what you will, but if you
are going to submit items into the record, which is perfectly
appropriate, but you should read them before you take, and consider
them, before you take any action on this. Whether out loud or
separately.
TRUSTEE KING: The thing that troubles me is the earliest date of
any letter is I think the 22nd of February. 21st of February. We
received it on the 25th. These others on the 27th, this is really,
this is really late in the game on this.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I read through some of those letters. What I have
read in them, they are reiterating what was said before in the
prior letters.
Board of Trustees 22 February 27, 2008
TRUSTEE KING: I know. There is a lot of repetition here. It's
already been heard and already been looked at. Quite frankly, it's
very difficult to go through all this at this time.
MR. CORCORAN: I would suggest you take your oral comments and then
we can discuss how you want to proceed.
TRUSTEE KING: Mr. Anderson, go ahead.
MR. ANDERSON: Bruce Anderson, Suffolk County Environmental, for the
applicant.
You really sort of took my thunder away and what I was going
to say, you pretty much said. So I don't think there is a need to
repeat that. The only thing I would add that I didn't hear you say
is throughout the hearings that this Board held on this
application, it rendered a decision shortening the northern or
eastern jetty over actually what was the objections of the
applicant. And that jetty was shortened by 30 feet.
Historically, the jetty was probably twice as big, and that
information is in the file. This box out was originally developed
in the'20s and the eastern jetty actually extended 480 feet into
the bay. And there was, part of this was the removal of the box
jetty which is also not the preference of the applicant because the
box jetty is the strongest structure of what we've have there. So
it was originally built in the '20s. It was redeveloped in the
'40s. The jetties were, and bulkheads, were replaced in the '50s,
and then again in 1977 after a storm event. So these have been
maintained throughout the years.
So what I'm here to say is it's important to note that that
significant reduction already occurred as a result of the prior
proceedings here. We are not asking for anything more or anything
less than what was already debated, studied and regulated.
When the jetty was, when you caused the jetty to be shortened
by 30 feet, it also caused us to go back to all other agencies and
modify the permits accordingly. Which we did. And the other thing
that is worth while noting is that this was a regulatory process
for us that began in 2002. That's when the initial applications
were filed. And 1 will tell you that the Army Corps of Engineers
granted the permit on June 1, 2006, which is almost three years
after this Board acted. So we have been in a regulatory process
here for many, many years. And if not, had the request not been
made earlier, this would have been treated administerially.
You should also know that a previous request to extend the
permit was made by us in 2005 and that was treated
administratively. Administerially. I have asked Tony Pasca --
TRUSTEE KING: I believe it was made in 2006 because I have the
original permit was, the approved plans were stamped 12th of April,
2004. So that would have been valid through April of'06. So I
know there was one extension and then I don't know who dropped the
Board of Trustees 23 February 27, 2008
ball, but somebody dropped the ball.
MR. ANDERSON: Well, my point in all this, we have a lot of agencies
involved. We have the courts involved. I must tell you, in my
practice, we do so many permits, I can't keep track if one permit,
you know, expires. There is too many that we've handled over the
years.
Having said that, we followed your policy, we filed a new
application, which is apparently your policy, and that's why we are
here. I have also asked Mr. Pasta who is the applicant's attorney
to say a few words because part of all this regulatory process that
I was involved in, there was also quite a bit of litigation that
occurred and not only you folks, your decision was challenged in
court, as was the DEC.
TRUSTEE KING: Like I said, keep it short. I want to keep these
five minutes or less.
MR. PASCA: Anthony Pasta; Essex, Hefter & Angel.
The only thing -- I'll pay attention to your warning to just
deal with some new issues. The only thing I want to talk about is
what happened after your permit in connection with the litigation,
just to complete the record, since that really was not part of your
original record.
The first thing that happened was that we had to deal with the
DEC permit. The courts upheld that permit. The reason it's kind
of noteworthy for this Board is the DEC permit was for a bigger
project. It was before this Board had cut down the project even
farther from the DEC. The courts felt that was inappropriate --
even the DEC's decision was appropriate.
The second thing that happened, of course, was that this
Board's permit was also challenged. Now, we were, as Bruce said,
we were aggrieved by the permit to the extent that it was not what
we were asking for. It was cut back, we thought substantially, but
we decided to abide by the Trustees' discretion and we didn't
challenge the permit. We defended the permit. It went to court
side-by-side and the courts upheld the permit.
What I just wanted to hand up for the record was a couple of
things. I made just a packet of the court decisions. It's just a
few decisions that were rendered in the DEC case and the Trustee
case.
The only other thing I want to hand up is a copy of an
affidavit that your then President Mr. Krupski had prepared in
connection with the litigation. And the reason it's kind of an
important affidavit is because Mr. Krupski -- you don't have to
take my word for why you approved the permit before you. You have
his word why you approved the permit. And for the benefit of the
few board members who were not here, he goes into detail as to the
process that occurred. He talks about all the evidence that was
Boazd of Trustees 24 February 27, 2008
heard. They have photographs, the experts, he talks about the
reasons why the Trustees thought that this was an appropriate
project.
And you'll notice one of the things he talked about was the
fact that the Trustees looked at the aerial photographs and they
looked at the evidence and they decided that this jetty system was
actually stabilizing the coast line, contrary to some people's
claims that it was causing the erosion. The Trustees back then
decided that was not true and the jetty system is actually
stabilizing the process. So I want to hand those up just for the
record. I made six copies, for whatever it's worth, and that's
really all I have to say. Thank you. (Handing.)
TRUSTEE KING: Are there any other comments?
MR. BRESSLER: Mr. Chairman, are you taking comments in opposition?
TRUSTEE KING: Sure.
MR. BRESSLER: Ladies and gentlemen of the Board, my name is Eric
Bressler; Wickham, Bressler, Gordon & Geasa.
I'm here tonight to speak against this particular application
on behalf of Barbara Ball and John Kuschner, Vivian Eyre and Edward
Graham.
Let me state at the outset that this is a new application.
Mr. Chairman, in response to the suggestion of counsel, is the
previous record incorporated by reference or not?
TRUSTEE KING: Excuse me?
MR. BRESSLER: Your counsel made --
MR. CORCORAN: He's asking whether you would like to take my
suggestion of incorporating the record of the prior hearings.
MR. BRESSLER: I want to know whether you did that or not.
TRUSTEE KING: I think so, yes. Yes.
MR. BRESSLER: You did that.
TRUSTEE KING: Yes.
MR. BRESSLER: All right. This Board has the opportunity tonight in
reviewing this application to address an issue that is crying out
to be addressed, which, in our view, was not dealt with properly by
the first Board. And let me say in that regard, and correct the
record, that the court challenge to this particular determination
by the prior Board, it is true there is a decision in the Supreme
Court, there was a notice of appeal filed from the judgment entered
therein. The time to perfect same has not expired.
Now, what that means procedurally for what this Board does
tonight on this new application, is another issue. But this Board
should be aware that there is a live appeal on that particular
permit that can and was intended to be perfected depending on what
this Board does.
Now, tonight counsel for the board points out that the focus,
in at least his view, is what has changed. Is there anything new.
Board of Trustees
25 February 27, 2008
And that is certainly one of the relevant questions. Has anything
changed. Was there anything that the Board didn't consider. Is
there any reason why it should change its mind from what I have
heard to be the current thinking of at least several members of the
Board. The answer to that question is plainly, yes.
Not only were there things that were misconstrued, there were
things that were not considered the first time around on this
particular application that militate very strongly in favor of
arriving in this new application for a contrary decision.
And the reasons are relatively simple and straight forward and
what I'm going to do is talk about, for a moment, list what the
global issues are, and then address the specific points and hand up
to the Board what it is that supports these arguments.
This Board has a unique opportunity to address what is
proposed, which essentially is building a jetty as long as a
football field out in the Southold Bay. Something that I'm not
aware in all the years I have been before the Board that it has
ever approved.
So the first issue is: Where is the science. Where is the
science at arriving at the length of this particular jetty? Is it
merely because it was there before? There was no science
supporting that length, whether it would work, whether it was more
than what was needed or whether it was less than what was needed.
There was no science to support it. There was certainly no science
to support the issue of lopping off 10%. While we certainly
appreciated that, to a certain extent, there was no science, there
was no reason, there was no engineering to support that.
Now here we are, four years later. What has changed? Has
anything changed? Does the Board know whether anything has
changed? Has the Board been presented with a survey, with the
soundings, which it didn't have the first time around in accordance
with its rules within one year of the application. Has it been
presented with that this time around to determine whether anything
has changed with respect to the topography of this particular
project? The answer is no.
It's difficult to fathom, if you pardon the pun, as to how one
can consider something in the absence of what this own Board's code
requires. So has anything changed? Well, in that respect, it's
impossible for this Board to say whether it has or whether it has
not. And for that reason and that reason alone, this Board can say
no. And I think this Board would be remiss in carrying out its
responsibilities if it did not require that which is required by code.
Now, I'm handing up five packages --
TRUSTEE KING: Five minutes.
MR. BRESSLER: (Continuing) five packages of documentation which
I'll address very briefly since you'll have the documentation
Board of Trustees
26 February 27, 2008
before you.
Exhibit One is a survey from 2008 and it shows the general area.
And Exhibit Two is a survey in 2004 that shows the area. It
shows up drift and down drift, which we'll get to in a moment. And
the important thing to note there is that the beach to the east of
the existing structure is stable. It has been stable despite the
non-activity with respect to this construction project.
The other thing to note is that the canal remained navigable
throughout the boating season with annual dredging, even with this
project in its current state.
The second issue to be noted is the littoral drift. And the
position that the town took, that's Exhibit Three, in defending
this possession and the position the Board took was, that the drift
is from west to east. Now, of course that is belied by the aerial
photographs. It is belied by Exhibit Four, which is the DEC letter
from Laura Scivazzo to Bruce Anderson, that this project would
impede littoral drift from the east to the west.
Exhibit Five is the coastal engineering report. It indicates --
TRUSTEE KING: Mr. Bressler, I don't mean to cut you short here.
But everything here, we have already seen. This is all stuff in
our file. It's already been looked at.
MR. BRESSLER: Everything here -- Mr. King, if you would permit me --
TRUSTEE KING: Like I said, I'm not going to let this meeting turn
into a debate. You have already gone over your five minutes of
testimony.
MR. BRESSLER: Mr. King, this is a new application and I'm pointing
you out to things that you have not seen, or new things. And
preparatory thereto, I have laid before you --
TRUSTEE KING: I see nothing new.
MR. BRESSLER: Mr. King. I have laid before you certain things that
you have seen to be contrasted with certain things that you have
not seen. And if you would permit me to finish my presentation, I
think you will see what I am --
TRUSTEE KING: You have another have another five minutes. And I'm
being generous. And at the end of five minutes, that's it. Now go.
MR. BRESSLER: Extraordinarily democratic of you.
Exhibit Six is the Southold Town LWRP. That shows, that
demonstrates that the loss of sand to my client's property was
probably due to the jetty.
Now, most importantly, moving to Exhibit Seven, and this is
something that you have not seen. In contrast to all of that, you
go to Exhibit Seven, and what do we see in Exhibit Seven. Exhibit
Seven is a survey that was submitted by the applicant to the
Department of State. And if you look closely at Exhibit Seven,
you'll see the notation on there is contrary to the positions that
have been taken. The drift is from east to west. That is what the
Board of Trustees 27 February 27, 2008
drift is. That was not available at the time. That has been
discovered since that time, and that is new.
So what is before the Board now is the position of both the
proponent of this project as well as the objectants that the drift
is from east to west.
TRUSTEE KING: Do you see that aerial from there?
MR. BRESSLER: Now --
TRUSTEE KING: Excuse me. Can you see that aerial from there?
MR. BRESSLER: Of course I can see the aerial.
TRUSTEE KING: What does that indicate to you?
MR. BRESSLER: It indicates to me that the drift is from east to
west. Just like the DEC says.
TRUSTEE KING: It indicates it to me also, so what are you talking
about? What's the argument? I can see that. I have other aerial
photographs that show the same thing. If you want to get into it --
MR. BRESSLER: If we agree that the drift is from east to west then
I'm satisfied with that particular point and I'll move along.
TRUSTEE KING: It's actually quite obvious.
MR. BRESSLER: Okay. Good.
TRUSTEE KING: And I would also like to mention, it depends on the
weather conditions. Because I'm very familiar with Long Island
Sound. I don't know as much about the bay. I would defer to Mr.
Bergen about the bay, but I'm very familiar with the Long Island
Sound and the predominant littoral drift in Long Island Sound is
west to east. When you have a northeaster come along, the drift is
east to west. And the same thing happens in the bay, if you have a
strong southwesterly wind or westerly wind, the littoral drift can change.
MR. BRESSLER: As long as we agree the drift is generally, as
everyone has said, from east to west, then I'm satisfied with that point.
You'll also see in the package Exhibit Eight which is the OCC
report.
You'll see Exhibit Nine which is also a portion of that
report.
Exhibit Ten which is also, which is the Chuck Bowman report,
and you'll see as Exhibits 11, 12, the diagrams of the drift.
Exhibit 13 is important because it shows the longterm erosion
of the properties to the west and it demonstrates that that erosion
was long before any bulkheads were put in.
Exhibits 14 and 15, we refer to that particular area.
Exhibit 16, which I'm not certain was in front of the Board,
was the SEQRA review in 1987 when Mr. Bredemeyer formerly of this
board recognized that the bulkheads of my client's property were
necessary.
Exhibit 17 shows that that bulkhead was for erosion control.
Exhibit 19, again, is from the proponent's own expert that
talks about the impact of this particular project.
Board of Trustees 28 February 27, 2008
So in short, what we have here is an application that has no
science behind it in terms of how long it ought to be, what the
configuration ought to be, what the longterm impacts of this
project would be, and now we have a distinct change in that we now
know that the drift is generally from east to west and that this
jetty, you have only to look at the photographs, is piling up sand
behind it.
Those things have to be taken into the account by this Board
and a decision made based upon science as to what is reasonable and
what is necessary, and I submit to the Board it is a total dearth
of evidence before this Board.
TRUSTEE KING: Thank you. Is there anyone else who wants to
comment, please?
MR. KALMAN: My name is Howard
Beixedon.
Kalman, I'm at 235 Rogers Road in
I find it disappointing that you feel this is a procedural
issue. It is not just a procedural issue. The reason why it's an
emotional one is there are a lot of folks in Beixedon whose quality
of life is directly affected by this jetty and the lack of science
and study associated with the jetty. Not to mention our property
values, which will be directly negatively affected if the jetty
does impact the beach and the sand continues to erode and the beach
is washed away. This is not just a procedural issue. This is very
important issue for those of us that live there.
I'm disappointed that it says in here on behalf of, in care of
the Beixedon Estate Property Association. The reason there are so
many emotions associated with this is because that does not
represent the homeowners. This application does not represent the
homeowners. It is a new application. You have to look at it and
view it that way. It is your obligation to do that.
First of all, I think that there should be a study done, a
coastal engineer study on the affects of this jetty. The size of
the jetty, it's a football field. It's a danger. There are people
that use that bay for boating. There are kids that go out there on
jet skis. You do not expect to see a football field size jetty
jutting out into the middle of the water when you are out there
towing your kid on a rope. You just don't. As a matter of fact I
think maybe the applicant should also pony up insurance so that
when somebody gets hurt they can get paid for it.
I think a study should be done of the wetlands. If you take a
look at that picture, at the east end of Beixedon Estates there is
a very delicate coastal wetlands ecosystem that supports a number
of species of fish, crabs, waterfowl. It has not been taken into
account as far as I could tell what the impact of the jetty and the
sand erosion will do to that very delicate ecosystem.
I doubt if anyone knows if there are endangered species there.
Boazd of Trustees 29 February 27, 2008
I think that should be looked into. So I want it noted that the
request has been made to this committee, to the Trustees, that an
environmental impact study be done on the affect of that ecosystem
prior to the approval of this new application.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Let me just, for my own understanding, you are
testifying that those crabs and such and that wildlife exist there now?
MR. KALMAN: They are there. I know they are there.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: You realize the picture we are looking at is
42-years old. We are talking about the same structure now as 42
years ago. So those species and those wetlands have been there
with the jetty in question now for 42 years.
MR. KALMAN: We don't know and you don't know, unless you have a
study in front of you you can present to me right now what the
impact of this jetty is going to be.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: You are testifying that they exist. This jetty has
been there for 42 years.
TRUSTEE KING: It's been there more than that.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Well, as far as the picture. My point being is
that you are testifying, in reality, that materially, things have
not gone south or, in other words, if these things you say, the
wetlands and species that you are finding there, have not really
been affected by the jetty that has been there for 42 years.
MR. KALMAN: My understanding is there has been erosion over the
years. My understanding is the beach house --
MS. EYRE: I was going to say -- Vivian Eyre, 200 Rogers Road,
Beixedon Estates -- that the jetty has been in disrepair over these
years and it's actually, you can see air and water through those
planks. So I think that his point is well taken because it's not
actually a solid structure any longer.
MR. KALMAN: And it has not been for many years. So the affects and
the living ecosystem that is there today is not the same as it was
40 some odd years ago. And a study should be done to know what the
effect of this new jetty, this new application, this new structure,
this new football field in the water, what effect that will have on
that ecosystem.
Again, I'll reiterate one thing. This is not a fait
accompli. It's not simply procedural. It's a very important issue
to the homeowners, to the people who use that beach. It's a
quality of life issue in Southold. It is a bellwether for other
applications that will come up in the future. So far as I know
there is no structure that large out there.
So what you do today, when you take into consideration the
requirements and requests of the homeowners and folks that live in
Beixedon Estates, not the single individual or small group of
individuals who do not represent the whole, I think you should take
into account what you are doing. It is a very serious issue. It
Boazd of Trustees
30 February 27, 2008
is not procedural, as Mr. King said. It is a new application and
must be viewed that way.
You commented, Mr. Ghosio, that I'm testifying. I'm not
accustomed to speaking in these kinds of environments. This is not
something I do. I'm not a lawyer, I'm not a speaker. But I'm a
homeowner there. I bought that home because of the beach. And
other folks bought their homes there because of the beach. And I
bought that home because of the value of the home. I expect it to
appreciate over the years so that my children and grandchildren can
use it. I don't want to have to, you know, walk away from the
neighborhood because you folks determined that a few small groups
of individuals, the canal people that use that canal, don't want to
dredge anymore. I don't have anything else to say. Thank you.
TRUSTEE KING: I think the thing that convinced the previous Board
and also this Board, when you look at the aerials from 40 years
ago, 40 some odd years ago, it was more structure there at that
time and yet there was plenty of beach.
Now I went through a lot of testimony from the hearings we
had, there is 25 or 30 pages of testimony. I also went back to
some of the applications for the bulkheads that were put in place.
And the testimony of those, the former Board of Trustees, now this
is going back a lot further than myself or the previous Board, they
were afraid of putting bulkheads in there would cause beach
erosion. And apparently it seems like that's what is happening.
MR. KALMAN: I'm not a coastal engineer, but are you trying to say
-- are you a coastal engineer that you can state --
TRUSTEE KING: No, I'm not.
MR. KALMAN: So how can you state that the bulkheads or the jetty or
the combination of the two are what eroded the beach? An engineer
should do a study.
TRUSTEE KING: We have seen in the field on numerous occasions and
I'm sure there are studies that have been done that show hardening
of the shoreline, usually when you put a bulkhead in, you lose your
beach. That's almost a given.
MR. KALMAN: Same thing with a jetty. So you cannot say one over
the other without scientific evidence and proof.
TRUSTEE KING: There is a lot of scientific evidence against
hardening of the shoreline.
MR. KALMAN: You have two significant structures now that you are
referring to; the jetties and the bulkheads. We have the bulkheads
in place. The jetty is in disrepair. It should be looked at and
viewed. When you guys went to inspect the site, did you go down to
the end of Rogers Road?
TRUSTEE KING: Yes.
MR. KALMAN: So you saw the erosion at Rogers Road?
TRUSTEE KING: Yes.
Boazd of Trustees
31 February 27, 2008
MR. KALMAN: That's not Rogers Road. That's Arshamomaque. Did you
go to the end of Rogers Road?
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: I'm not sure. Where is Rogers Road?
MR. KALMAN: So the answer is you did not go to the end of Rogers Road.
TRUSTEE KING: My question is, is it further to the west? Where is
Rogers Road?
MR. KALMAN: Rogers Road is one block to the west of Arshamomaque.
TRUSTEE KING: No, we didn't go to Rogers Road.
MR. KALMAN: So the Trustees didn't do a full inspection of the beach.
TRUSTEE KING: That's not true.
MR. KALMAN: But you didn't go to Rogers Road.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: How far west --
MR. KALMAN: It is one block. It is the community beach. It's where
folks walk to the beach.
TRUSTEE KING: Is it west of the bulkhead?
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Can you help us out, is it this area up here?
MR. KALMAN: It's approximately right here. (indicating). Give or
take. I can't tell exactly. It's here. There has been trees --
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Here? (indicating.)
MR. KALMAN: There were two trees that were up here. One of them is
almost totally uprooted now. The other one is becoming uprooted
because of the sand erosion at that point, at the end of Rogers Road.
Keep in mind, in Beixedon there are two streets that go down
to the beach; Arshamomaque where you said you went to look and
Rogers Road is one block, one block west of Arshamomaque. It's
part of the exact same system there. It's the same beach.
TRUSTEE KING: We'll have to start cutting this off.
MR. KALMAN: Mr. King, I understand you want to cut it off. I don't
respect that though. The fact is this is a huge issue for us.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: I think what we would like to do is we would like
to limit everybody to five minutes so plenty of people have the
opportunity to come to the microphone and give their comment.
MR. KALMAN: That I respect.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: I'm not saying we are cutting off the discussion.
We're saying we want to give other people the opportunity to speak,
who wish to speak.
TRUSTEE KING: We have other people sitting here who don't want to
sit here all night and listen to this.
MR. KALMAN: The reason it's a big issue is because it's an
important issue. We knew that up front. You wanted to avoid this.
But it's a fact. It's there.
TRUSTEE KING: Are there any other comments?
MR. KUSCHNER: I'm Eugene Kuschner and you all received letters from
me during the past week. I think one of the criticisms about the
150 feet may have been aimed at me.
During the past week I've had several conversations with
Board of Trustees 32 February 27, 2008
people at the DEC and the Department of State, and there is at
least one procedural irregularity which has taken place which may
have afforded us an opportunity. The permit requester has actually
proceeded with construction in the absence of an active permit, so
that even though the permit expired last March, there actually is
construction which has been done. The bulkhead has been rebuilt
and some of the jetty coming off of the bulkhead has been rebuilt.
This is an incontrovertible fact.
Now, I spoke with the people at the DEC and they actually said
that Mr. King has been in touch with them also, and I certainly
encouraged him to do this and if his spending a lot of time talking
with them reflects my letters then my letters were not a waste of
time and I appreciate all the effort Mr. King has put out.
The DEC has a policy that they would not, and actually, I have
a direct quotation. And when I spoke with this gentleman, he said
you would know his name and don't hesitate to use it. It's George
Hammarth. And he was in the office of granting permits. And he
said, and I read this back to him and I told him I would be quoting
him at the meeting tonight, and he agreed. Quote: I would be very
surprised if the DEC issued a permit which would allow any
construction below the low water mark.
The jetty is already at or just below the low water mark. So
we have been afforded the opportunity to see what a jetty which
stops at the low water mark does. Any permit that is granted in
the near future, I may suggest, should specifically say in
accordance with DEC requirements that construction not be further
out into Southold Bay than the low water mark.
The proposal which Suffolk Environmental Consulting has
presented to the DEC, shows it proceeding 150 feet beyond the low
water mark, and that's where my figure came from that Trustee
Doherty raised her eyebrows about. And I would be glad to show her
stuff which came from his office.
Now, something which the Board may not be aware of is that
because this has actually been constructed, they are planning a
post construction conformity visit. And I couldn't pin them down
as to when that would be. They said it would be by a relatively
high level person, such as Chuck Hamilton. I don't know enough
about the hierarchy at DEC but the person with whom I was speaking
said this is big stuff. That he is planning a visit to come out
here for a post construction, because if you have already reached,
he knows you reached the low water mark. If the construction has
already reached that, as far as the DEC is concerned, their
permitting has done it all. And what I'm asking, they are supposed
to get back to me. They couldn't tell me exactly when this
inspection was taking place, but they said they would get back to
me within three weeks.
Board of Trustees 33 February 27, 2008
So that at the very least, I'm asking the Board of Trustees to
not vote on this today but to wait until we get the final report
from the DEC, which will be, in the words of Mr. Hammarth, I would
be very surprised if we issued a permit allowing any protrusion
into the bay beyond the low water mark.
And I think this is new information. I don't know if anyone
else has this information. And Mr. Hammarth said that you would be
familiar with his name, the Board of Trustees know him.
TRUSTEE KING: Yes, absolutely.
MR. KUSCHNER: He's a very precise person. He has also said --
TRUSTEE KING: I have not had too many dealings with Mr. Hammarth
myself.
MR. KUSCHNER: You dealt with Mr. Andrews and the people in Albany?
TRUSTEE KING: I know Mr. Andrews, yes. I have had a long
relationship with him.
MR. KUSCHNER: And I have spoken with Barry Pendergrass. He also
works in the same office with Fred Andrews.
TRUSTEE KING: Fred Andrews is Department of State.
MR. KUSCHNER: So what we want is to have the law observed. I'm
here, and I said jokingly at the end of my conversation today with
the DEC, it sounds like I'm working for the DEC. And that's what I
want. I want the letter of the law to be observed. The DEC is in
the business of evaluating the science that we should look to and
their science is not what it was four years ago. They are
increasingly convinced of the role played by jetties.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Didn't the DEC, did they not grant a permit to
extend the jetty out beyond the low water mark?
MR. KUSCHNER: Mr. Hammarth himself said that right now, because
this is under intensive review, they are aware there is a problem
and there may have been an error made and that because of that he
did not have access to the whole file. It was under review by
other people. But that in the abstract --
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Currently, at this time, there is a DEC permit
extending out below the low water mark, correct?
TRUSTEE KING: They have a valid DEC permit.
MR. KUSCHNER: They are not sure of that.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: We have it.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: We have it in our file.
MR. KUSCHNER: If you have it, I asked him specifically if you have
it, do you have the multicolored version of it?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: We have copies of the DEC --
TRUSTEE KING: When did you talk to Mr. Hammarth?
MR. KUSCHNER: Today and yesterday.
TRUSTEE KING: Okay.
MR. KUSCHNER: That, if so, it may have been a mistake and that I'm
conveying this for the record, and on the record.
Board of Trustees 34 February 27, 2008
TRUSTEE KING: For the record, to the best of my knowledge, there is
a current DEC permit. There is a current Army Corps of Engineers
permit on these jetties and on February 14th I did a field
inspection at the site with Mr. Hamilton.
MR. KUSCHNER: With all due respect, Mr. King, I know you are trying
to enforce the law. But neither you nor I is a coastal engineer.
TRUSTEE KING: What I'm saying is I did an inspection with Mr.
Hamilton from the DEC at the site on February 14th. He came out on
the 14th because there had been so many phone calls, so many
problems with people saying there are 11 different violations of
the DEC permit and so forth. He came out. He called me, he was
coming on out. He said I'm coming out, I want to take a look at this.
MR. KUSCHNER: He's coming out again. As of today. He's coming out
again because there have been so many people, there have been a lot
of concerned citizens, his office is getting a lot of letters.
TRUSTEE KING: Quite frankly, I doubt it.
MR. KUSCHNER: Well, I don't see how in light of all this
information either I or Mr. Hammarth is totally faking or it would
not hurt to wait a month.
TRUSTEE KING: There is mixed signals going on out there because I
was at the site with him.
MR. KUSCHNER: There are. There are mixed signals.
TRUSTEE KING: The only problem he found, there was a dumpster that
was within 75 feet of the high water mark. It was a minor
violation. I believe he wrote a notice of violation on it. He
could find no other violations on the site. And there was a valid
DEC permit and I think that was the end of it.
MR. KUSCHNER: Mr. Hammarth pointed out to me that he did not have
the full file, but that on the summary which he did have possession
of, the permit was entirely for a bulkhead. Not for a jetty. In
his own words. And that to somebody who works for the DEC, that
this is a big distinction. And he wanted to get to the bottom of
this as well. He was disturbed by the absence of the word "jetty"
in the permit. Do you have a copy of the permit that uses the word "jetty"?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: This hearing is about the Trustees application,
not a DEC application. This is about a Trustees application for
the town law. We are not here to debate the state law. That's
where it seems it's going.
MR. KUSCHNER: Okay. Mr. Hammarth also said that SEQRA, the State
Environmental Quality Review people, also would not smile upon, and
that the Trustees are required to present things to them. But they
would be upset by the idea of having a jetty which goes beyond the
low water mark. Has this been presented to the SEQRA?
MR. CORCORAN: It's not our requirement that it be presented. SEQRA
is the name of the law. Okay? And SEQRA was complied with at the
time of the original application.
Board of Trustees 35 February 27, 2008
MR. KUSCHNER: All I'm doing is being a mouthpiece for Mr.
Hammarth. He's the one that said he's sure you have to run this by them.
MR. CORCORAN: There is no SEQRA to send something to. You have to
follow the law by following the regulations, which have been followed.
MR. KUSCHNER: What he said to ask you, how did you see to it that
the requirements, I should ask you that, but you can't answer that
in five minutes, I'm sure.
MR. CORCORAN: No, but I think the DEC itself found to it to be a
Type II action three years ago. Which means it did not require a
review under SEORA.
MR. KUSCHNER: We have a jetty which was built, you are actually
asking for a retroactive permit for something that is already up.
And one of the things that we might want to do is ask Mr. Nickles
if he's willing to stop with the construction the way it is now to
see how that works. That's one reason, since that seems to me to
be a reasonable compromise, I suggest at this point in time we not
vote on it in its current form.
It's built. His house and his property is protected by a new
bulkhead. It's there. He has some jetty. And new construction, I
have seen a copy of the letter which he wrote to Mr. King saying
that he's suspending construction but that he's planning on
constructing more.
TRUSTEE KING: I see what you are talking about on the reference to
a bulkhead or jetty, but it says "bulkhead" but it shows the
location of where it is and what it is.
MR. KUSCHNER: That's one reason why they are reviewing this. This
is a storm for the DEC, which is why I'm asking that you wait until
they come out with a more crystal clear -- Mr. Nickles' house is
protected by his new bulkhead. We don't have to worry about Mr. Nickles.
MR. CORCORAN: Whether it has a DEC permit is really the domain of
the DEC. They'll decide if they have an issue with it. This Board
does not make decisions for the DEC. This Board can issue a permit
and the DEC can decline it and the project won't be able to go
forward. This Board needs to decide whether it's going to issue a permit.
MR. KUSCHNER: Okay. I was hoping that the Board, I'm sure its
interest and concerns are equal in statute as that of the DEC, but
I'm not sure that its scientific expertise is quite up to that of
these people who do this all day long after having studied to
prepare them for their jobs. So I think that if they say they are
reevaluating it and that they are going to be sending somebody out
here again, that we should give them at least a month. They said
they'll get back to me within three weeks.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Thank you, for your comments.
MR. KUSCHNER: Thank you.
TRUSTEE KING: Any other comments?
MR. BRESSLER: Mr. King, to complete the record, I want to state for
Boazd of Trustees 36 February 27, 2008
the record that I make objection to the fact that on behalf of my
clients I was not given a full and fair opportunity to speak and
that the time allotted to those other than myself exceeded the time
allotted to me and I object on statutory --
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Everybody has been doing about 15 minutes.
MR. BRESSLER: (continuing) statutory and constitutional grounds.
This is a new hearing. It's a project as long as a football field
and to say you have five minutes to speak to it I think is
unreasonable and unconstitutional. And that having been said, I
have nothing else to say and someone else will review how you have
chosen to conduct the hearing.
TRUSTEE KING: Thank you.
MR. MCALLISTER: Good evening, my name is Kevin McAllister, I'm the
Peconic Baykeeper. I'm a biologist by training, not a coastal
engineer. But I would like to share with you my credentials. I
hold a Masters in Science in Coastal Zone Management and some of
the course training certainly involved coastal processes and
shoreline structures.
Prior to returning to Long Island to take this job ten years
ago, I was employed with Palm Beach County in the Shoreline
Protection Section. I have a great deal of experience working with
engineers, performing the biological end of things, everything from
inlet dredging, sand bypassing, drawings, jetties, revetments,
geo-tubes, bulkheads, beach nourishment.
Relative to the impacts of jetties, and this is quite
academic, on the up drift side there will be a accretion. On the
down drift side there is erosion trend. And Mr. King, you are
correct, relative to, there is variability in the drift. In this
case, east to west, depending on the prevailing winds and wave
energy. But the net drift is clearly from east to west. That is
without question.
Relative to the site in consideration through jetties and
structures in general, but particularly jetties, this requires
complex engineering analysis. Such things as sand budgets, tidal
prisms, bathymetric profiles, closure depth. That term is the
depth at which sediments are no longer encapsulated in littoral drift.
Again, these are details that really need to be considered and
part of an analysis to be properly engineering this type of structure.
If you recall, I know a number of your Trustees were in the
room when I appeared in December and addressed the Town Board
relative to the changes to the wetland code, and at the time made
reference that over the course of the last 25, 30 years, and that's
random, in our level of understanding relative to coastal
principles, has increased substantially.
We know a lot more now than we knew 20 years ago. And
relative to many of the mistakes that were made, in this case,
Board of Trustees 37 February 27, 2008
hearing Mr. Anderson, I guess the initial structure was built in
the 1920s. We were not as smart back then. We are now. And I
implore the Board to take the opportunity, seize the opportunity,
to rectify past mistakes when those opportunities present themselves.
Relative to this structure itself, and I would argue that
certainly prior to the recent reconstruction, this is clearly a
failing jetty, there is substantial leakage and bypassing that was
occurring. In this case, perhaps a trend or movement toward
equilibrium of that beach.
I guess the last point I would like to make is really, you
have this opportunity before you, this is in fact a do over. This
structure, at least initially and what was perpetuated over the
course of the decades, was over built. My analysis and review of
this, I mean this looks similar, you know, Petty's Pond to the
coastal pond further to the west, it probably had a narrow stream
once upon a time and was dredged open. Now we have navigation, and
I'm not suggesting that we forego navigation, but let's reconstruct
this jetty to meet the needs, and that's reasonable access in and
out of the creek, of the pond, allowing for reasonable navigation.
What we can't give up and what really needs to be an expectation of
the residents that utilize this area for navigation is the need for
periodic dredging, bypassing. That's something that was actually
not mentioned relative to any jetty structures certainly on the
larger scale. They built in bypassing systems, whether it's a
roving dredge or pump house, but the notion is that they need to
flip the sand over to the down drift side to ensure that the
beaches are maintained and stabilized.
I asked the Board and again, Mr. King, your comments about
procedure, I too, am disappointed in hearing that. I know I'm
weighing in on this on a certainly eleventh hour, but we have the
opportunity to get it right here and I implore the Board really to
require that thorough analysis, the thorough engineering. Again,
the end of the process, what we build is something that satisfies
needs relative to navigation and also protects, again, an important
coastal habitat, the intertidal zone and sandy beaches to the down
drift side and ensures protection of private properties and public
properties. Thank you.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: I have a question for you. I appreciate the fact
that you came down to address this. In your estimation, with what
knowledge you do have, what do you think was the affects of the
installation of those bulkheads, based on what you see now.
MR. MCALLISTER: Initially, the jetty I think certainly interfered
with littoral drift. It sand starved the down drift beaches. I
think the bulkheads that were probably subsequently built
exacerbated the problem. I will say there is an opportunity here,
the deathnell has not been rung necessarily because the walls are
Board of Trustees 38 February 27, 2008
in place. If in fact sand is allowed to accrete on the down drift
side and perhaps build up in front of those walls, opportunities
arise for redeveloping dunes and plantings and restabilizing the
shoreline. But ultimately we have to try to enhance that sand flow
and that accretion process that may occur with a properly
engineered jetty.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: I think my concern is the fact when that came up,
based upon what I read in the files, had those rock revetments been
built rather than those bulkheads we would not even be addressing
this issue now.
MR. MCALLISTER: I disagree with that. I think the rock revetments
although perhaps don't have the same direct impact or wave
reflection, they nevertheless harden the shoreline and they do
reflect wave energy and ultimately cause a loss of fronting beaches.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: So in retrospect if we were to apply for these
bulkheads today, your recommendation would be not to do anything.
MR. MCALLISTER: In certain instances, and this is a key point, and
I'm glad you just triggered this thought, because I know Mr. King,
you made mention of I guess considering aerial photographs of the
past, relative to placement of bulkheads, et cetera. We are in a
different stage right now, with sea level rise and I would argue
the depletion of actually sand sources for that matter. You know,
do we still have the same sand budget that we had decades ago.
Perhaps we don't. But that needs to be certainly considered.
In instances where there is eminent threat to erosion to
private properties, you know, in a best case scenario if we could
stabilize the shoreline in a natural way and actually retreat and
maintain our natural shorelines, allowing them to migrate as
necessary, that's what we should be striving for. But I'm also a
realist. When we have conditions that require armoring under
certain circumstances. And that's unfortunate. But I do thing the
Board in being progressive in their thinking and with vision,
certainly be looking forward to try to prevent those instances when
this goes relative to permitting structures that are within harms
way or potentially within harms way in ten or 20 years from now.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: The funny thing is, in response to that was, it
seems to me the Board back in the '80's when the bulkheads were
being applied for, were doing exactly that, and their comments they
were trying to be proactive and to try to keep this from happening
and recommending the revetments and plantings instead of the
bulkheads. Unfortunately the bulkheads were built and I think when
you look at the aerials, it's clear, the drastic changes in the
shoreline occurs after the bulkheads were built, not so much
because of the jetties. The jetties have been there since the '20s.
MR. MCALLISTER: I think there is all of these structures at play.
There is extensive groin field or groins within our bay waters
Boazd of Trustees 39 February 27, 2008
within this town. Certainly there is a number of jetties and shore
parallel bulkheads, and all of them have problems associated with them.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: If I could make one comment. I agree that the
drift does go from east to west here. I have determined that just
from site visits as well as all the aerial photographs, and one
thing that can assist, when you talking about the dredging of the
inlet is that the spoil, the material from the dredging goes down
drift, where it should go, that will help to replace sands that you
are saying are lost. It will help rebuild those. So I'm hoping
whatever happens with this whole project, that when dredging does
take place, the material will be placed down drift, down to those
beaches to help support those beaches.
MR. MCALLISTER: That's the appropriate location.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Yup.
MR. MCALLISTER: Thank you for listening to my comments.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Thank you.
MS. SHINE: Hi, my name is Sharon Shine, I'm a resident of Beixedon.
I don't live on the beach so I don't have a bulkhead and I'm
seeing that it's becoming a neighborhood thing between bulkhead
people and jetty people and if it were all up to me there would be
no bulkheads and no jetties. That's what they know today and what
they knew back then is far different. So right now there is not an
application in to rebuild the bulkheads. It's the jetty that they
are looking at now. So like Kevin was saying, there is an
opportunity now to do something proactive.
If there comes a time where people are going to put in new
bulkheads and we have new knowledge that says wow, instead of
putting a new bulkhead in, do it this way, and it goes back to
preserving the sand of the beach, I would say we would want to
support that too. Be proactive toward the future with the new
knowledge we are getting.
But what concerns me is I feel like there is more of a battle
between who has done what damage to the beach. We have all done
damage to the beach. But we have an opportunity now and I'm just
hoping that, if nothing else, that you just take some more time to
review more of the new information that is coming forward. I don't
see there would be a rush to make a decision tonight with all the
emotion and all the lawyers and DEC questions coming up. I don't
think it would be a smart thing to just stamp approval on it
tonight. Thank you.
MS. KUSCHNER: Good evening, I'm Joan Kuschner. I wanted to suggest
that you have really an historic opportunity here that you are
missing. You are representing the Town of Southold. The Town of
Southold is not only the ecology of the shoreline. The Town of
Southold involves the people of Southold. And what you have, what
has been created in this discussion is something that is
Board of Trustees
40 February 27, 2008
destructive of the social fabric.
My understanding is that we currently, there is currently a
bulkhead that has been reconstructed and protects John Nickles'
property. Everyone here, there are people that grew up with John
Nickles, people that know him well and certainly would want to have
that property protected, and our understanding is that the bulkhead
that is in place protects that property, indeed sand that has accrued.
There is currently a piece of an extension that is clearly
being recognized as a jetty that goes to the low water mark. If it
stays at that position then there is not, it is no longer necessary
to worry. We can look at this opportunity to see what will happen
to the coast. We can see the opportunity to build up a beach, a
beach that is a community beach, which unfortunately the town board
did not get a chance to view, and I would like, could you possibly
point out the view that shows the beach at Rogers Lane? That is a
beach that has always built community. That is where the Community
of Beixedon gathers. It is a place where we have our regular
community suppers and share the summer together. And that is a
part that used to, if you see photographs, and I know I have seen
photographs of an area that where that beach extended out, it is
sorely eroded and the erosion has sped up over this time.
Now, the town has an opportunity to heal not only the
waterfront but the community. And if it is, if this construction
is stopped where it is, you will be able to monitor the flow of
sand and actually be able to do the kind of research that would be
necessary. And you are going to need, by the way, in a lot of
other areas down the shoreline, this is not, this is the type of
problem that repeats itself. And so if you can gather the
information about an area that has a limited structure, this will
be very useful in your future analysis of the area.
So I would really implore you to focus on this as a positive
movement for the town and to really take progressive steps to make
a decision that will really help Southold move in to the future. Thank you.
MR. ATKINSON: Member of the Trustees, my name is Matthew Atkinson.
I'm general counsel with Peconic Baykeeper. And I just want to
emphasize again, that this is a new application, so there should be
new SEQRA determinations, anew coastal consistency with the LWRP,
that you can't just rely on the old file, although you can
incorporate it, you have to follow your own procedures with a new
application.
The other thing I would like to say is I'm unclear about how
you may even authorize this jetty. As I look at the wetlands law,
it seems to be that only low profile jetties will be permitted at
all. And looking at this profile here that I have of the approved
drawings, we seem to have jetties that is as much as eight feet
above grade.
Boazd of Trustees 41 February 27, 2008
Also, only replacement of existing functional jetties is
permissible. And "functional" is defined in the definitional
section as being 75% physically intact. If you go down to the
water there now and you look seaward of where the existing
illegally built jetty is, there is only a couple of sticks out
there. There is no functional jetty out there. So I'm unclear how
this Board can authorize the reconstruction of a jetty that doesn't
exist at all.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Functionality had been determined when the
application first came up.
MR. ATKINSON: The application is just up now. You have a new
application before you.
And the other thing that sort of relates to that is how do we
know that there is an existing jetty previously here? Because now
it's gone. It's not built there. And I will note one thing,
because there is one little bit of confusion here. Is the local
law number 23 of 2007. Which defines, creates a new item in the
definitional section. I don't feel as though I should ignore it.
It says: "Functional" is any structure that has essentially
retained its purpose and use within the 24 months preceding the
operations or activities at issue.
If this is attempting to modify the definitional section that
exists, as for a functional jetty and functional bulkhead, which
are treated as terms of art, it's very unclear that it's doing
that. Nor does it in any way seek to amend the provisions
concerning the fact that you can only replace functional jetties.
And so even if it did apply, you would have to go back then to see
what the condition was two years ago. I don't think it does apply,
but if it did apply, you would have to look at the situation two
years ago. And in that regard, and here I'm afraid I'm a little
late to the party, but I do have some aerials that are taken at
angles that show the whole end of the jetty as it was is basically
gone. Just some sticks. I can provide these. I also have these
aerials on my computer in color which you can zoom them which makes
it a little more easy to see.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: What's the date of the aerials?
MR. ATKINSON: These are March, 2006.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Thank you.
MR. ATKINSON: So we have a low sill jetty replacing what is
basically anon-existing jetty. And I realize it's not directly on
point but it is sort of a bit of evidence that is worth looking at.
When the DEC was first reviewing this application it responded
in May 8, 2003 -- and I know this is in your materials -- saying
that the 215-foot section on the east side of the jetty is
completely dysfunctional. It's not functional at all, and they
would not be able to approve it. And their permit says that you
Board of Trustees
42 Februazy 27, 2008
can't rebuild 215 feet at the east end of that northern jetty. I
would be very curious to see the staff plans, which I have not yet
seen, and it sort of begs how can you shorten it 215 feet and still
end up with a 278 foot jetty.
So I would argue that the approval of this application would
be multifarious of this Board and it should strongly consider
denying it on those grounds. Thank you.
TRUSTEE KING: Thank you.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: We were just looking at the pictures in the file
and it was a functional jetty going out into the bay. And on your
pictures it's hard to determine in a picture where it's functional
and where it's no longer functional. That's something you really
have to determine on site, by looking at all the factors there on
site. You are absolutely right, and the end of what is in your
pictures is sticks and it's not functional but some place out into
the bay is what appears to be a solid structure there.
So, again, looking at this aerial photo it's hard to tell
exactly where it was functional and where it's non-functional.
That's just my opinion. This is something that is, it's important
as a piece of the entire puzzle of what we need to look at.
More important to me, and this is just myself, is going out
there on site and looking at it on site, looking at the beach and
the accretion of beach on one side versus the other side, looking
at the littoral drift, looking at all the different factors, that's
more important, just to myself, than just aerial pictures from years ago.
MR. ATKINSON: That's for you to authorize it. As you see, as of
today, go down and look at it, there is no jetty seaward.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Correct. We were all there at the site visit,
whatever day is on the record, Tuesday the 12th. So we have seen
what is there as of the 12th.
MR. ATKINSON: I actually have one last point, if you would indulge
me, is that, as you concede that the drift is from east to west and
you concede that the jetty as it is built will deprive sand from
going to the west, and we all know there is a loss of sand. This
jetty does contribute to coastal erosion. And this is contrary to
the stated policy in the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan as
well as state coastal policies.
TRUSTEE KING: Any other comments?
MR. GRAHAM: My name is Ed Graham, I'm a longtime Beixedon resident.
I've been there since the late '60s.
Over that time there was a tremendous amount of erosion before
the bulkheads were ever built. I think there is a lot of
documentation that would show that.
The other thing I wanted to mention, and I'm not a coastal
engineer, but further east of the bulkheads closer to the canal,
Board of Trustees 43 February 27, 2008
there is a section of the beach that is not bulkheaded. That beach
has suffered enormous erosion. Now, I don't know if the bulkheads
would affect more than just the immediate vicinity where they are
or further west, but to the east there is no bulkheads between,
there is no bulkheads between where the bulkheads are and the canal
and the beach is tremendously eroded in that spot. So I don't know
if the bulkheads have something to do with that or not, but as I
say, there is a lot of erosion that took place long before the
bulkheads were built. Thank you.
TRUSTEE KING: Thank you.
Originally, this, I believe, was not reviewed under LWRP. It
has been reviewed and it was found to be exempt. Replacement,
rehabilitation or reconstruction of a structured facility in kind
in same site, including upgrading buildings to meet building fire
code. It goes on. Except for structures and areas designated by
the coastal erosion hazard area. It's been found to be exempt from
LWRP.
MR. KALMAN: Can you explain what that means in layman's terms?
MR. CORCORAN: There is an exception from review of our local
consistency law for rehabilitation, reconstruction or replacement
in kind/inplace, in the same place.
MR. KALMAN: I'm not sure I understand. You have a nonexistent jetty
that has been destroyed and is not usable, and this is exempt from
review?
MR. CORCORAN: If this Board determines that it's inplace/inkind
reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement, it's exempt from the
LWRP review. It's not exempt from the Trustees' review or anything else.
MS. EYRE: That's if it's determined inkind/inplace.
MR. CORCORAN: Correct. This Board must make that decision.
TRUSTEE KING: This was the recommendation from the LWRP coordinator.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Is there a CAC in there?
TRUSTEE KING: Is there any CAC comments? CAC resolves to support
the wetland application. And it's basically just a description of
what is going on. They do support it. All ayes was the motion.
Motion carried. Are there any other comments?
MS. ALESSI: One last. My name is Joy Alessi, I live at 620 Rogers
Road, which is where the communal beach is. My house is not on the
beach. It's the second one in. I'm the lowest house in all
Beixedon. And my backyard is one a wonderful little estuary that
goes from Hippodrome Pond, there is a little creek that goes right
out to the beach. I bought the house ten years ago. There has been
tremendous erosion over this period.
Now, at a high tide with a good wind and full moon, I have
water coming up to my back door. It has broken over a berm,
through the bushes, up to my back door. This was never this way
before. And I think we had, there is a great opportunity here
Boazd of Trustees 44 Februazy 27, 2008
since, we have part of the jetty rebuilt, if we could hold things
as they are, see if that keeps the canal open. I loved it over
here because it was a community. There was not the canal people
with the beach people. We are all using the beach and there was a
wonderful sense of community and I hope that we can find that
again. And if you take a little time to review this. Thank you.
TRUSTEE KING: Thank you.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I just want to note the letter we got today was
from Ms. Alessi and that's basically what it says.
MR. CORCORAN: May (suggest -- the Board works as it chooses,
obviously, but I suggest you close the hearing and reserve decision
so you can review the materials that have been submitted tonight
and take any other action you deem proper.
TRUSTEE KING: You're reading my mind.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Jim, I just want to make a comment that there
has been a couple of comments tonight about your comment about
procedural. And I would like to say in defense of this Board, the
past Board and this Board have, I could think of multiple examples
of times where we have gotten new information, we have gotten
applications to come back, and this Board puts in time. These new
board members, although you are not new anymore, spent hours with
these files. We, in our last Board, spent hours making these
decisions. And they are not easy decisions. And 1 just want to
make a statement for the record that we do reconsider new information
and we do go over and we spend a tremendous amount of time.
So the comments that, you know, it's not right, we are not
following correct policy; we do spend a lot of time with all the
information you put to us tonight, with information from the past,
with all of our available aerials. I mean, so, and we have at
times in the past, reconsidered and changed decisions. So it's not
something that we don't do. But we do look seriously at these
applications. We do realize it's a new application and we do make
our best decision. I just wanted to make that point.
TRUSTEE KING: Thank you.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: A point I wanted to make also, I heard a lot
tonight a lot of discussion about beach erosion and particular
erosion in this area to the west of this jetty. This Board
probably, and some of the regulars out there in the audience that
come before us quite regularly, we, mother nature has beaten up on
us the last ten years. There has been tremendous erosion all
through the Town of Southold. It's not unique to this one area.
In the work session tonight we had a discussion that included
an area of beach where the dunes were washed out in that April
storm, probably washed 15, 20 feet back in the Cutchogue/New
Suffolk area. That April storm wreaked havoc with many property
owners, particularly people with exposure such as the exposure that
Boazd of Trustees 45 Februazy 27, 2008
this area has.
So we are aware that erosion has taken place here as it has
throughout a lot of the beaches in the bays and Peconic Bay. So I
don't want you to think that yours is a unique situation here.
There has been erosion problems all throughout Southold in the bays.
MS. EYRE: Even more reason that they bay has to be carefully
considered.
MR. CORCORAN: Is there a motion?
TRUSTEE KING: I would like to make a motion to close the hearing.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: I make a motion reserve decision on this. I have a
lot of reading to do. I want to go through a lot of things here.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
(After a brief recess, these proceedings continue as follows.)
TRUSTEE KING: Number seven, the application of VARUJAN ARSLANYAN,
we have been asked by the representative to postpone this
application. That will be postponed to next month.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Number eight, Peconic Permit Expediting on behalf
of DEBRA LACHANCE requests a Wetland Permit to rebuild the existing
steps to the water inkind. Replace existing deck at top of stairs
with new 30 square foot deck. Located: 630 Ruch Lane, Greenport.
We have an LWRP report that concludes that the proposed action
is consistent with LWRP. CAC sports the application with the
condition that open grated materials are used on the decking, a
ten-foot non-turf with natural vegetation is installed landward of
the top of the bluff and measures are taken to control erosion at
the bottom of the bluff during construction.
Jill and I did get out there. We looked at this. It looked
like a pretty simple project.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: It all fits in the with the square footage of our
code.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: There is really nothing out of sorts in this. Is
there anybody who would like to speak for or against this?
MR. LEHNERT: Rob Lehnert, Peconic Permit Expediting. You guys
basically have it right. We are looking to replace what is there
and rebuild the top deck.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: How do you feel about using an open-grated material
on the decking
MR. LEHNERT: You mean like a metal or plastic?
Board of Trustees 46 February 27, 2008
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Yes, the Board has been fairly consistent with that
lately using open-grated materials rather than decking.
MR. LEHNERT: The proposal is for cedar, which is what is there
now. I'm sure the homeowner won't have a problem with that. It's
more important to get down to the water. But can we use the cedar
for the top deck and not the, you know -- if we use open-grate can
that be for the steps only, because he would like to keep the look
of the top deck consistent with the rest of the decking on the house.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: I don't see a problem with that. Any comments or
questions from the Board?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I just have a question on the lawn there, there
was a cement cover. What is that?
MR. LEHNERT: I think it's an old drywell. That's something that
predates all this. I really, I'm guessing it's an old drywell.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: That's what I thought.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: As I recall it was pretty decent semblance of a
buffer there.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: There was one bush in front of where the platform
is going to be built that I don't think --
MR. LEHNERT: There is plantings all around the existing platform
that will remain.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: The construction I don't think will interfere with
the bushes there.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Any other comment or questions?
(No response.)
I would like to make a motion to close the hearing.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: I would like to make a motion that we approve the
application for Debra Lachance as described on number eight, noting
that the LWRP finds this consistent and with the only change being
that the stairs, the steps will be used, the material in the steps
will be open-grated and that the top platform could be in cedar.
And we also find it consistent with LWRP.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Number nine. Peconic Permit Expediting on behalf
of JOANNA LANE requests a Wetland Permit to install privacy fencing
along the northern property line. Located: 1852 North Bayview Road, Southold.
I went out and reviewed this. It has been recommended to be
consistent under the LWRP. The CAC resolved not to support the
wetland application because they would like to see the use of
natural vegetation as fencing instead of a structural fence.
Boazd of Trustees 47 Februazy 27, 2008
And just for clarification, the plan that was submitted here
showed a split rail fence on the southern side of the property and
a privacy fence along the northern side of the property. We are
just working tonight on an application for the fencing on the
northern part because the southern part is completely out of the
Trustee jurisdiction.
With that, is there anybody here who would like to comment for
or against this application?
MR. LEHNERT: Rob Lehnert for Peconic Permit Expediting. The
privacy fence that we are asking for, you could see in the
application only a small part of it falls within the Trustees'
jurisdiction. My client has tried to use plantings before, for
privacy, I don't know if any of you are familiar with the story,
but the neighbor takes down all the plants down below those trees
that are currently there. So I think it's their last resort to go
for afence; asix-foot fence, keeping the existing trees that are
there behind the fence. The trees fall between either property
line, so we can't touch the trees.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: I was going to say, there are some very mature
trees there between the house and the neighbor's property to the north.
MR. LENHERT: And we don't want to remove any of the trees.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: I understand that. What I'm asking is, is there an
opportunity though to continue that line of trees toward the water
line so that it's natural vegetation instead of a fence.
MR. LENHERT: If you look at the survey, the trees actually go past
where we are proposing the fence to go. But if you also, from the
site visit you guys were at, if you looked at the trees, there is a
gap between each tree. You could walk through it. One part, the
neighbor drives his boat through. On the trailer. Through my
client's property. Which is something they are trying to stop.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Actually, according to this there is a pretty good
size section of this fence that is within the Trustees'
jurisdiction, according to your plans here.
MR. LENHERT: Yes.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Okay, as I measure it, it's between 100 and 120
feet. Is there an opportunity here for a post and rail fence for
the first ten, 15 feet, let's say ten feet of this proposed fence
to help establish a wildlife corridor?
MR. LENHERT: We could do post and rail for the first ten feet.
What we are trying to stop is looking from the house directly on to
the neighboring lawn. So we would not have a problem with ten feet
of, you know, post and rail fence and then a privacy fence in the
locations that we proposed. I mean if you are also looking at a
wildlife corridor, the phragmites go down to the water. There is a
huge piece of space -- we are not even going into the phragmites.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: I understand that. Your fence stops just about at
Board of Trustees 48 February 27, 2008
that, I guess there is a platform there.
MR. LENHERT: Yes, at the neighbor's platform.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Is there anybody else that wants to speak for or
against this application?
(No response.)
Are there any other comments from the Board?
(No response.)
If not, I'll make a motion to close this public hearing.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor.
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE BERGEN: I would make a motion to approve the application of
Joanna Lane and with the last ten feet of the ten feet closest to
the water of what is planned on here as a privacy fence to instead
be a post and rail to allow for a wildlife corridor, and with that
we would determine it consistent under the LWRP. And what I would
ask is if you would be willing to just note on the plans here --
MR. LEHNERT: I could resubmit new plans to you.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Great.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I'll second that.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: Number ten, JMO Environmental on behalf of MARY
PANKIEWIC2 requests a Wetland Permit to demolish the existing
single-family dwelling, abandon the existing sanitary system and
well, demolish the existing garage, remove portions of existing
driveway and to construct a new single-family dwelling with gutters
leading to drywells, sanitary system and new water service.
Located: Peninsula Road, Fishers Island.
One question, I just want to back up a little bit now that you
are here. On the Hay Harbor Golf Club, new plans were submitted
tonight. Those concur with what we discussed in the field with DEC
MR. JUST: We have met, you, myself and the DEC on the 29th of
January and those plans reflect that the wall has been shortened, I
think only a ten foot or 14 foot contour.
TRUSTEE KING: I think the elevation had been lowered and we are
doing some plantings behind it.
MR. JUST: Exactly. Exactly what we discussed in the field.
TRUSTEE KING: Okay, so we could move forward with number ten, now.
Is there anyone here to comment on this application?
MR. JUST: I'm Glenn Just of JMO Consultants, if there are any
questions from the Board.
TRUSTEE KING: I was out there and looked at it with the DEC. We
had some discussion. We talked about 30-foot buffer.
MR. JUST: The plans don't reflect a 30-foot buffer. I thought
Board of Trustees 49 February 27, 2008
that's something we can discuss tonight but there were some other
issues that we had discussed at the site.
Actually, I think the first thing was LWRP had suggested that
the house does not conform, the proposed house does not conform to
the 100-foot setback and what I did, I had the surveyor -- you have
not seen this yet -- (handing) there is a freshwater stream on the
bottom part of the property and tidal wetland at the top. What you
see that is highlighted, that's the 100-foot setback from both the
freshwater wetland and the tidal wetland, so it would also meet
town zoning setbacks off the street. That is the only area, that
small triangle, by Town Code, that we would be allowed to build in.
It's a very small house and no place to put the sanitary system.
So I just thought I would bring that up to show you. We tried to
move the house back according to the LWRP request but that is what
we were left with.
TRUSTEE KING: That's impossible.
MR. JUST: I think also on site we had discussed there was a small
cottage that sits right on the edge of the tidal wetlands there.
And I spoke to the owner and she is agreed to -- there is two
sanitary systems on the property of the bulkhead about 30 feet away
from the tidal wetland, one for the main house, one for the
cottage. She agreed to abandon, fill, and not use the two systems
anymore, and the existing cottage she will remove the bathroom and
seal off the, I guess the sewage pipes for lack of a better term so
it cannot be a bathroom in the cottage. Just to be used for like a
boat house with storage.
TRUSTEE KING: Are there kitchen facilities in the cottage, too, Glenn?
MR. JUST: There is a little tiny stove but that's it. But there
will be no water in the cottage, so you couldn't use it for
basically cooking or washing or washing your hands or anything like
that. So, no water, no sanitary. They also agreed to relocate the
drywells for the roof runoff to grade them 75 feet back from the
wetland. And there was also another note when we were on site,
there is an old dock behind the house. There are some old doors
from the otter trawls. People know what those are, lobster pots.
Jim, if I lived there, that's what my yard would like look. Jim, I
think you would have the same thing, all the fish and tackle stuff
that's back there. They've agreed to move a lot of the debris
that's out there, the wench and stuff.
TRUSTEE KING: I agree. There is a lot of stuff. And it's out in the wetlands.
I was thinking about the guest house. If you are going to
disconnect the whole septic system from it and abandon it, was
there any thought of maybe a pump type system where they could
still use that and pump the waste up into the new septic system?
MR. JUST: Ms. Pankiewicz agreed to just use it just for storage.
The new house will have a bedroom for guests if they want to come.
Board of Trustees
50 February 27, 2008
There is no need to use that for sleeping quarters anymore. We did
look into it, though.
TRUSTEE KING: Okay, just a thought, to have some use for of it.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: This is for us to keep, right, Glenn?
MR. JUST: Yes.
TRUSTEE KING: I think we covered everything we talked about in the
field.
MR. JUST: We just have to have a buffer zone, settle on something.
We talked about 30 foot which is just maybe on the landward edge of
the cottage that is there now, and perhaps leaving afour-foot wide
path down to the old dock there. She would be willing to let it
grow passively, not to do any plantings but just let nature take
its course and let it grow back in.
That's a 30 scale. Where the hay bale line is 30 foot.
That's freshwater wetlands as well.
TRUSTEE KING: So we could make that the buffer zone.
MR. JUST: Because that will be the limit of construction here and
nothing down there. So we can have that be the buffer zone.
TRUSTEE KING: Do you want to leave the hay bales in place?
MR. JUST: After construction they'll take them out but there will
be a physical marker where the bulldozers working on the job won't
be able to cross. When the job is done, take the hay bales out and
that will be the line.
TRUSTEE KING: Does the Board have any questions?
(No response.)
TRUSTEE KING: It's an improvement.
MR. JUST: Did I send additional photographs to you on that, Jim?
TRUSTEE KING: I don't have them. If you have photos, that would be
great. We'll put them in the file.
MR. JUST: I thought I had. I'll send some over tomorrow.
TRUSTEE KING: It was found inconsistent, that's because of the
setback to the pond, and by abandoning both septic systems and
moving one out of our jurisdiction and we put in the 30-foot
non-disturbance buffer, we are also cleaning up all the debris in
the wetlands, I would make a motion the Board finds this is now
consistent with LWRP.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
I'll make a motion to close the public hearing.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: I'll make a motion to approve the application with
the stipulation that the septic system to the small cottage is
abandoned and filled and not to be used in the future at any time,
Board of Trustees 51 February 27, 2008
and the 30-foot non-disturbance buffer be put in place which
coincides with the hay bale line, and remove the debris from the
wetlands. And afour-foot path down through the non-disturbance
area to the shoreline.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: Thank you.
MR. JUST: I could have the plans revised to show that's a buffer.
TRUSTEE KING: All right, that would make it easier.
TRUSTEE KING: Number 11, JMO Environmental Consulting on behalf of
FRANEKER INVESTMENTS, INC., requests a Wetland Permit to construct
a 15.58'x16' addition onto an existing garden shed, to construct
approximately 30' of retaining walls and a stone (pervious) parking
area. Located: Private Road, Fishers Island.
This is another one I looked at on the same day.
MR. JUST: These are the photographs of the existing shed they want
to expand and what we initially thought was a freshwater wetland.
TRUSTEE KING: Is there anybody here wish to speak to this application?
MR. JUST: Glenn Just, JMO Environmental Consulting for the
applicant.
As you may recall when we went there on January 29, we went
there with the folks from the DEC Freshwater Wetland Unit and I
flagged a small area of what I considered freshwater wetlands that
are considered just arrowwood, which is viburnum, and when the DEC
came to the site and inspected it, they thought I was a little too
conservative and they considered that not a freshwater wetland. It
was a small kettle with very sandy soils that don't support
freshwater wetlands vegetation that was completely surrounded by
black cherry, mature black cherry, maybe four or five viburnum
bushes in it. The closest regulated water wetland is more than 300
feet away. So the 50 meter rule goes out the window as far as the
DEC's freshwater wetlands.
I have reviewed the Southold Town Code on freshwater
wetlands. I don't see arrow arum mentioned in it. That doesn't
mean it's not a species that is associated with freshwater
wetlands. But again, inspecting the site, that was the only
species, and only a couple of plants, and it didn't really lend
itself on the second inspection as freshwater well.
TRUSTEE KING: I believe one of the comments, I think Mr. Marshal
was there --
MR. JUST: Rob Marshal
TRUSTEE KING: Did not find it significant. I think that's the
determination he made, to not regulate it.
MR. JUST: Reading throughout Town Code I didn't see how it was
Boazd of Trustees 52 Februazy 27, 2008
regulated either. I should have probably gone a little further into
the brush when I flagged it, but it was summertime.
TRUSTEE KING: How much fill will be brought in? It's pretty
expensive fill to do that around the retaining wall.
MR. JUST: I don't have an extra copy of the plans here. But he
usually spells it out. He did not state it on the plans how many
yards of fill. It will raise the level. I'll have the plans
revised to show the calculations of how much he'll need.
TRUSTEE KING: It has here no fill on this application.
MR. JUST: You're looking at the contour lines now (indicating.)
TRUSTEE KING: When I was around there, the depth they'll have to
fill. We need to see that.
MR. JUST: All right.
TRUSTEE KING: There is a letter in the file in opposition to this
from Mr. Warren Devanter. We'll just make sure it gets into the
record. I don't want to read the whole thing.
(INSERT).
MR. JUST: Is that the person concerned about the increase amount of
traffic?
TRUSTEE KING: Yes. In this particular area.
MR. JUST: It's in the private end of Fishers Island. It's a little
garden center for the estate that it's on.
TRUSTEE KING: I can't imagine a lot of traffic in there.
MR. JUST: If there is, who is going to hear it?
TRUSTEE KING: We'll make sure the letter goes into the record.
It was found inconsistent. I think it's because of the
location of the wetlands. We discussed it and it's really not a
wetlands. Require a 30-foot non-turf native vegetation buffer
landward of the freshwater wetland.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Are we determining it's not freshwater wetland?
MR. JUST: I know it's something they inspected when they were over
there earlier this year, but if it's not a freshwater wetland.
TRUSTEE KING: If it's not a wetland the question is does it need a
permit.
MR. JUST: In retrospect after being to the site the second time
with the DEC, we feel it's not a wetlands.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: So we can determine it's not in our jurisdiction.
MR. JUST: If you don't regard this as a freshwater wetland, there
is no other freshwater wetland or tidal wetlands within a hundred
feet of the site.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: That's what I'm saying.
MR. JUST: That was based on the information I gave that was
incorrect.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Did you get that in writing from DEC?
This letter is dated November 7, 2007.
Re: Franeker Investments, Inc./Judith Corrente
Dear Mr. King and Members of the Board:
On November 5, I received a copy of the attached notice that Franeker
Investments, Inc., and Judith Corrente are applying for a permit for a proposed
addition to an existing garden shed on their property on Fishers Island. The
permit application will be open for public comment on November 14. the
proposed addition includes a 15.58' by 16' addition to the shed, the construction
of approximately 30' of retaining wall, a pervious stone parking area, and roof
gutters and a drywell. I own the adjacent lot (#25-11) to the west of their property
and I am writing to request that no permit be granted for any addition or
expansion to the present structure, since it will allow for more equipment to be
brought into this residential area, creating more traffic and noise.
Since this property was acquired several years ago, the owners have cut
down an area of brush and undergrowth which, for years, had served as a habitat
for animals and a buffer zone between our two properties. They then erected the
present structure without notifying me. What is quaintly referred to as a "garden
shed" has become, in fact, a maintenance facility for the entire estate, with more
than one person working there each day. As you will see from the site plan, the
proposed addition will almost double the size of the present structure in close
proximity to the property line.
The building serves a large estate with a large area of lawn and gardens
which require much maintenance. The constant noise generated by this facility is
disturbing. Most weekday mornings at 8:00 AM the noise begins as the workmen
start up the lawn maintenance equipment and neighbors hear noise from a lawn
tractor, lawn mowers, weeder/trimmers, leaf blowers and an occasional chain
saw, backhoe and other power equipment.
When the machinery is not running we also can hear noise from truck
engines, the conversations of workmen and, occasionally, a radio. My requests
to the workmen to lessen the noise have been ignored. This has got to stop and
the activities of the present shed should be moved further away from our property
line.
My family and I come to Fishers to enjoy the peace and quiet it affords. In
order to help defray the high costs of living there, I have had to rent out the
house for a few weeks during the summer and the tenants have complained to
me about all of the noise from this shed. It just seems to get worse each year and
we feel nothing is being done about it.
Any further additions will only make matters worse, so I must object to this
project for several reasons.
It would be another step in changing the peaceful nature of this residential
neighborhood.
It would become a garage or storage area for all of the maintenance
equipment on the property and would allow for more equipment to be parked in
the area.
Work starts early in the morning and neighbors are subjected to the noise.
This is especially annoying during the summer months when people have their
windows open.
This activity disrupts the peace and tranquility of the area. During the last
few years there has been constant construction and traffic from renovations
being made to the main house, grounds and an adjacent residence which once
was a windmill used to pump water for the property.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this matter. Obviously I
dislike having to write a letter like this but feel there is no other recourse. Please
do not grant a permit for any further construction on the property as it will only
lead to more noise from all of the equipment.
If you have any questions. Please call me at the telephone number above,
as I'd welcome an opportunity to speak with you directly.
That's signed by Mr. Warren Van Deventer.
Board of Trustees 53 February 27, 2008
MR. JUST: Yes.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: If we get a copy of that in the file.
TRUSTEE KING: Why don't we do that and just consider it
non-jurisdiction. It would make it a lot of simpler.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: And refund $200.
TRUSTEE KING: That's a good point. It's valid. It's minuscule.
So why don't we go in that direction. I'll make a motion to close
the hearing.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: I'll make a motion based on the new findings that
this, in reality, is not a freshwater wetland, that this proposal
is out of our jurisdiction and we'll give a letter of
non-jurisdiction. We'll want to see a letter from the DEC
reaffirming that we there is basically not a wetland there and
we'll refund the $200 fee.
MR. JUST: I hadn't thought about that.
TRUSTEE KING: That goes to the applicant, not the consultant.
Second?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
MR. JUST: Thank you, very much. If I may, on a very quick note, 30
seconds or less, the pond at the Guimaraes site where the violation is,
on Fishers Island, the Guimaraes property and the house next door,
from what I understand is a pending application, perhaps submitted
by the town to re-do that pipe that is under Equestrian Avenue to
lower the level of the pond. The two houses adjacent to it, as of
today, both the septic tanks are filled right to the top, same
level as the pond, and we are just trying to find out if the town
has an application, I called the DEC to try to move it along, to
try to remedy the situation. Because as soon as that pond level
drops, everything in the septic tank will go into Hay Harbor. So
if there is anything the Trustees know, let me know next week or
so, I would appreciate it.
TRUSTEE KING: I know. I was there a long time ago now. I had to
be nosy and go and lift that cover. And it's right up to the top
MR. JUST: Thank you.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Number 12 and 13 are two separate applications but
we have to discuss them together because they are right next door
and there is some confusion.
So, number 12, Patricia Moore on behalf of MICHAEL BEHRINGER &
VESHA KUMAR requests a Wetland Permit to reconstruct 100 linear
feet of existing bulkhead within 18' using C-Loc vinyl sheathing,
Boazd of Trustees 54 February 27, 2008
and install two new 12' returns,
fence at the top of the bulkhead
Greenport.
and for the existing split-rail
. Located: 1755 Shore Drive,
Can you come up and show us which file this is that I just read?
MS. MOORE: Which drawing or which file?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Both.
MS. MOORE: It's easier with a name. The bulkhead is only Behringer
and Kumar. That's lot 31. That's where the split-rail fence is.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: And the dock is not on that property?
MS. MOORE: The dock is straddling that property and the Gardner
property, which is lot 30.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: So it's on the property line.
MS. MOORE: Yes. I mean for practical purposes it appears to be
exactly between the two.
TRUSTEE KING: So we have adock-and-a-half on one piece of
property.
MS. MOORE: Half a dock on one and half a dock on the other.
TRUSTEE KING: Is the dock further down on the property line, too,
the dock on the east?
MS. MOORE: I know it's really confusing because I went out there.
I went up and down and I had to call the client to find out exactly
which house. Because it looks a couple of docks in that area are
not quite, they look to be straddling some property lines. But
this one for sure is the one that I believe you are at. That looks
like the right one.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: What about the dock to the east, is that on the
Gardner property or --
MS. MOORE: No, the one to the east is on the adjacent property.
It's not Gardner. It's other property east of Gardner.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: That's where the confusion is.
MS. MOORE: I can appreciate that because it look me a while to
figure out which dock I was looking at. In fact I went to the one
next to it, between Gardner and the other guy first.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: So it's on number 13's application.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: So the dock application is under the Gardner.
MS. MOORE: Well, I did it as a joint application referring to both
tax lot numbers since it was a joint application
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Okay, so it's number 13.
TRUSTEE KING: Two properties share one dock.
MS. MOORE: Yes, that's the goal.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Okay, we'll go back to number 12, is the bulkhead
to reconstruct 100 linear feet of existing bulkhead.
MS. MOORE: Yes. I have John Costello here in the audience. He's
the contractor on the project so if there are specific questions
I'll bring him up and he can answer them.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Just looking at the field notes, so this is -- I'm
Boazd of Trustees
55 February 27, 2008
just trying -- so this is the property with the split-rail fence.
MS. MOORE: Yes.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: In reference to the violation that was issued on
this property --
MS. MOORE: That was resolved.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Okay. What does the client, your client, what is
he prepared to do about the drainage issues on that property?
MS. MOORE: He'll put in drywells as needed. That's not a problem.
If you want to put it as a condition of the bulkhead, that is not a
problem for us because it would be done all at the same time. The
equipment would be there.
He just bought the house. I have a feeling that's how it was
when he bought it, so.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: And that issue is resolved. Okay. LWRP finds it
consistent. And our Board finds it consistent because it is
replacing the existing, in the same manner.
We would like to see a 10-foot non-turf buffer behind that.
MS. MOORE: All right.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: This is smaller than the yard. It's consistent
with the neighbor, that white house, has a ten foot buffer there.
I measured that, if I'm remembering correctly. Does anyone else
remember that?
MS. MOORE: I know one of the houses I saw had a buffer.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: We just made it consistent with that.
TRUSTEE KING: The property to the east has the plastic bulkhead.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Correct.
MS. MOORE: Gardner's property, the one to the east, you did that,
didn't you?
MR. COSTELLO: Yes.
MS. MOORE: Was that for Gardner or the prior owner?
MR. COSTELLO: Prior owner.
TRUSTEE KING: John, the new one that you'll build for this project,
is going to be the same construction?
MR. COSTELLO: Yes.
TRUSTEE KING: Because I see this old bulkhead has batter piles.
MR. COSTELLO: Yes. My name is John Costello, and in all likelihood
I'll probably do --
TRUSTEE KING: Identical construction. And it will be in place?
MR. COSTELLO: Yes. And it will be in line. Because we left one
additional connection on each of the other two bulkheads. We built
both adjoining bulkheads and left a connecting piece there so that
whoever did it in the future could get it done.
There was a previous permit on this site, but --
TRUSTEE KING: It's basically going to be all the same.
MS. MOORE: Miller, Wilson, I'm trying to remember the name.
MR. COSTELLO: But the mother passed away and the kids sold the
Board of Trustees 56 Februazy 27, 2008
property. That's what happened. But it will be, I would probably
use the same type of materials. It may be a different type of
material on the sheathing because the materials that we used, the
C-Loc 4500 on the other two adjoining pieces, they no longer make
it of the same quality, but they have a similar type of material. That's all.
MS. MOORE: Last time we were here you asked the question of whether
or not we needed the returns. I think you asked that and John is
here, now he can answer for you.
MR. COSTELLO: I would probably leave -- there is a connection. You
can either put a return in or extend the bulkhead in the same
line. What I would do is recommend leaving the connection in there
so if one bulkhead failed in the future, whether it's a hurricane
or storm, you can go in and put a return in at that time. There
would be no need, for the cost, of putting a return in at present.
TRUSTEE KING: That was my question.
MS. MOORE: So we don't need a return now.
MR. COSTELLO: No. But I'll leave the connection there should that
happen.
TRUSTEE KING: One other question, John, while I have you here.
This is plastic, right, the sheathing?
MR. COSTELLO: Vinyl.
TRUSTEE KING: Is there a fiberglass sheathing?
MR. COSTELLO: There is a composite, which is 90% fiberglass.
TRUSTEE KING: We had a previous application a while back they said
was going to be fiberglass. I just wanted to get it straight in my mind.
MR. COSTELLO: It's stronger and slightly more expensive. But if you
have to drive it into hard bottom, it's a good material to use.
TRUSTEE KING: Thank you, John.
MS. MOORE: Would you need this permit to include the 12-inch
returns for purposes of constructing it?
MR. COSTELLO: No. You would have to go through the process should
one of the adjoining bulkheads fail.
MS. MOORE: Would it make sense to keep it in there? Because if he
builds it, we don't need to build it out, but because the permit
has it if there is a failure we can just put it in because it's
part of the original permit.
MR. CORCORAN: It's a repairthen.
MS. MOORE: But your code allows a repair for a permit for an issue
-- my understanding is, if you have a permit the code allows to
you make a repair to an existing structure without renewing a permit.
MR. CORCORAN: If you are going to go out and just build it straight
and not build a return then your permit is going to be expire.
MS. MOORE: No.
MR. CORCORAN: If you don't build your return.
MS. MOORE: You can choose not to build the return at this time but
because it's shown on the permit if there s a problem you don't
Boazd of Trustees 57 February 27, 2008
have to go through the delay of an application to do an amendment.
MR. CORCORAN: I don't think you do that. I don't think you could
get a permit for something now and not build it and come in 20
years from now and say I already have a permit.
MR. COSTELLO: If I could address that. I would probably, we are
going to excavate behind this bulkhead. Because you have to
excavate so the material doesn't go out into the bay. While you
have it excavated, the only cost involved will be the material, to
put a return in, whether it's one foot or two foot or three foot.
Makes no difference. But it does give you, I mean I wouldn't buy
it because it's additional money. But if the person wanted to put
in, because the hole is excavated, there is nothing to put the
material in. The other thing is when we backfill this bulkhead,
most of the bulkhead up there is all clay. It's going to be clean
sand brought in for drainage purposes. Because the clay, wet, is
too heavy. That's why half these bulkheads are rotted out and
failing. So at the same time you put the dnrrvells in, for the
simple reason, sandy material will percolate the water down better
than clay material will. So by putting the return and allowing the
return on the permit, the owner wants to build it, build it. It's
only money. But it's not my money.
TRUSTEE KING: If they don't build them, they would have to come in
for an amendment for when they want to build one. Because you have
two years to complete the project.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Plus two one-year extensions.
MR. COSTELLO: So get the permit.
MS. MOORE: The question is are we more likely to put them in or not
put them in.
MR. COSTELLO: I don't know what his bank account looks like, but
I'll gladly take it.
MS. MOORE: Do you want me to give you the plans with the drywells
and ten foot non-turf buffer?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: We didn't get to that point yet.
MS. MOORE: If you are, then I can let you know at that time whether
the client wants to spend the couple of bucks to put in a return
versus not. I don't want to make the decision without the client,
giving him the benefit, do you want the extra protection at a
couple of more dollars.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Do you want to us table this?
MS. MOORE: No. I don't want to delay it any further. I'm
requesting with a return. We are just reducing it, if I don't.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: We can approve it with it and you can let us know.
MS. MOORE: Exactly.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Does anybody have a problem with approving with a
return?
(No response.)
Board of Trustees 58 February 27, 2008
Any other comments?
(No response.)
Hearing none, I'll make a motion to close the hearing.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I'll make a motion to approve the application of
Patricia Moore on behalf of Michael Behringer and Vesha Kumar at
1755 Shore Drive, Greenport, to reconstruct 100 linear feet of
existing bulkhead as applied for with the conditions that drains
that are coming out of the bulkhead are to be removed; aten-foot
non-turf buffer behind the bulkhead shall be in place and gutters,
leaders, drywells for the house to be in place.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Could I add a condition here for the existing split
rail fence that it will just remain split rail fence and won't
re-install the wire that they had in front of that fence.
MS. MOORE: They removed it right away. He didn't even know there
was wire installed. I think the contractor just, you know, was
trying to do it right.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Another condition is to be in line with the
neighboring bulkheads.
MS. MOORE: Bulkhead in line with the neighboring bulkhead?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Yes, in other words not further out, but in line
with the neighboring bulkhead and with the return -- is just on the
one side or both sides?
MR. COSTELLO: I would just leave the application as it is.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: With the return on one side as noted on the plan.
MS. MOORE: It's showing on the west side.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: On the west side.
MR. CORCORAN: Do you further resolve to find it consistent with LWRP?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Yes. With mitigating runoff and putting the
non-turf buffer.
MS. MOORE: It was already consistent.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: But the Trustees are finding it consistent also.
TRUSTEE KING: This will be in place, not within 18 inches, right?
MS. MOORE: It says within 18 inches.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I made the condition in line with the neighboring,
so it's not going to be --
MS. MOORE: I think they have all been replaced within 18-inches so.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: It's not even 18 inches further out. I forget
what we measured it. It's not even 18 inches further at this
point. It was right up against it, so.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
Board of Trustees 59 February 27, 2008
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Patricia Moore on behalf of MICHAEL BEHRINGER 8
VESHA KUMAR AND ELIZABETH GARDNER requests a Wetland Permit to
reconstruct the existing stairs, repair/replace the existing timber
dock and add a new 32"x20' ramp and 6x20' floating dock and
construct stairs from the dock to the beach, running parallel to
the bulkhead. Located: 1755 & 1665 Shore Drive, Greenport.
MS. MOORE: I know last time we were here you questioned the length
and I checked with Bob Fox and I checked with John and I said did
we extend this, without my knowledge, and they said no, no, it's
exactly what is there.
TRUSTEE KING: We measured it.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I just want to mention on the previous
application, the CAC supported that application. And the CAC
supports this application. And it is inconsistent with LWRP. And
we did go out and measure it. And the notes were put in the other
file, so I'll just transfer the notes.
We went out on 2/12 and the fixed dock we measured to be 51
feet. And that's what you have on your plan.
MS. MOORE: I have 52.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: 1 have in my notes 52 feet.
TRUSTEE KING: I know the measurements were the same.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: So 52 feet.
The one question that the Board had is in keeping with our
policy of having structures 15 feet off the property line, is there
any way we can, if you are redoing this whole structure, can you
move the dock 15 feet off the property line?
MS. MOORE: No, then it would be one person's or the other. It's
actually eliminating the possibility of a second dock.
TRUSTEE KING: We thought the other dock to the east was on that
property, which it isn't. So that straightens that out.
MR. CORCORAN: They both have rights to use it? Is that stated
anywhere?
MS. MOORE: We created it. I did it by way of both of them giving
me consent. They both agreed they'll share in the cost and
everything. So they'll set up an agreement, once obviously this is
approved, we'll set up something in writing.
MR. CORCORAN: Was there anything pre-existing or is this something
that was there that shared?
MS. MOORE: Nothing was ever in writing and as it turned out, my
client bought this property, the Gardner's bought the property and
neither side had an idea which side this dock belonged to because
there was a permit for this dock but you couldn't tell from the
record, I know Lauren and I took a long time to try and figure it
out. We couldn't identify whose application it had been. So it
actually worked out very well. Both parties are satisfied they'll share it.
TRUSTEE KING: I'm surprised they are willing to share.
Boazd of Trustees 60 Februazy 27, 2008
MS. MOORE: Yes. I was so pleasantly surprised that people are being
nice.
MR. COSTELLO: I could clear this up, for the record. I mean,
again, both docks were owned by one family group. A daughter owned
one dock and a mother owned the one to the east. Monique Boris and
she had two other kids. They own three homes in a row. They also
owned another house down at the corner which has a small dock. So
it was in the family of four or five people at one time and that's
why the dock was -- they agreed to put it on the property line to
eliminate a dock. That was the family that had it.
TRUSTEE KING: That's unusual.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: LWRP says the proposed action would extend
existing 52-foot private dock another 40 feet into public waters
which could impede public access and/or use of such waters; total
dock structure is proposed to be 92 feet.
When we were out there, we saw this would not go out any
further than the neighboring structures. And I don't think it
would really impede navigation in that area. And they needed the depth.
TRUSTEE KING: Any thought of that being a seasonal float?
MS. MOORE: Well, the float will be seasonal. It's actually now, I
don't think some of the neighbors have theirs up.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: The neighbor just has an aluminum ramp that is
lifted up and held on the pilings and the float is not there. So
it basically the ramp is not --
TRUSTEE KING: They pulled the ramp up on the dock.
MS. MOORE: I think they have the same idea in mind. Mr. Costello
seems to have the exclusive here on this street. He does all the work.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Are there any other comments?
TRUSTEE KING: Do they want stairs down to the beach?
MS. MOORE: Yes. There IS no access down to the beach on this
property so we need to have from the dock access to the beach. So
we are going from the stairs to the dock and then the dock parallel
to the bulkhead down to the beach, so.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: So if somebody is walking along they would be able
to go around?
MS. MOORE: We could put two sets. I thought you would not want two
sets. We could one on either side.
TRUSTEE KING: We have done it before. If you can't walk under the
dock what we usually do is put a set of stairs up and over.
MS. MOORE: I don't think anybody has a problem with that, so.
TRUSTEE KING: That's what we want. I don't think there is any
traffic along there.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: The stairs are not reflected on the survey.
MS. MOORE: No, because that was something that my clients
mentioned. I put it in writing to you.
TRUSTEE KING: I would recommend stairs on either side so people can
Board of Trustees 61 February 27, 2008
walk by, they don't have to go up on private property.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: All right, motion to close the hearing.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Motion to approve the application of Patricia
Moore on behalf of Michael Behringer, Vesha Kumar and Elizabeth
Gardner for a dock as applied for on 1755 and 1655 Shore Drive,
Greenport, with the stairs going on either side of the dock for
access across and I would note that this proposed dock structure
does not go out further than any other structure in the area and
the Board finds this consistent with LWRP and that the float and
ramp are to be seasonal.
TRUSTEE KING: In the water no sooner than April 1, out of the water
no later than December 1.
MS. MOORE: Okay. We are just talking about the float, obviously,
because the ramp, you have nothing to lean it on.
TRUSTEE KING: Yes.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: And, Pat, if you could give us new drawings
showing the stairs and the new drawing on the other showing the ten
foot buffer and the drywells.
MS. MOORE: I'll have John probably install the drywells in the area
of disturbance so that's it with one, just put it --
TRUSTEE KING: Make sure the pipes set.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I said that. We need to show all those conditions
on there.
MS. MOORE: That's fine.
TRUSTEE KING: Number 14, Patricia Moore on behalf of JAMES
MESKOURIS & OTHERS requests a Wetland Permit to construct a covered
porch, alterations to the existing dwelling including a proposed
addition on the landward side of the dwelling and new sanitary
system. Located: 1350 Sound Beach Drive, Mattituck.
Sheila and I went out and looked at this.
MS. MOORE: Okay.
Let me clarify, because I gave you a survey, two surveys. You
have the original survey that shows the area of the patio along on
the seaward side of the house. There is one survey that I had that
shows the patio a little bit cut back from where the existing deck
is. If you went out there, there is now a presently an existing
deck. Do you remember?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Yes.
MS. MOORE: That's going to be, it's going to be on grade and it
Board of Trustees 62 February 27, 2008
will be a patio, not decking. The portion that is covered, I gave
you a second survey that shows it cut back. I can show you.
TRUSTEE KING: You don't happen to have a copy of the new one.
MS. MOORE: It was in there. I gave it to you. I delivered it.
Where it says proposed new patio pavers, that's actually the
covered portion. All right?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: We had this when we went out so that's why we were
a little confused.
MS. MOORE: Sorry, new to me but it was in time for your inspection, so.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: You revised this survey prior to --
MS. MOORE: I gave it -- yes. What the contractor gave me was this
cut back portion and I thought the whole thing, all the pavers were
going to be cut back to this line. I'm correcting that because in
fact they are going to continue to have patio where the original
line was that I gave you. Only the covered portion, the roofed
over portion, is the cut back because -- it's with respect to the
zoning board really. Nothing to do with you. The zoning board
only considers lot coverage for areas that are roofed over. So if
it's on grade, it's not an issue. So. And we are trying to limit
the amount of lot coverage.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: In the file, the one thing we have is the beach
grass in front of this house. It needs to not be disturbed. It
needs to be left alone, to grow back. They can have a four foot
wide path. But they have --
MS. MOORE: Seaward of the bulkhead you are saying?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Yes, that will be anon-disturbance with a four
foot wide path. It's obvious they are cutting that down. If you
look, and the neighbor also is, and all the other neighbors is
beautiful grass in front and it's been that way for a while, so.
TRUSTEE KING: And it's really hurting them because they have
drifting sand coming up almost against the house, which would not
happen if you have the beach grass in place.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: So it's really there to protect the property and
their house. The other houses don't have that.
MR. WILDER: Will the beach grass reestablish itself?
TRUSTEE KING: If you leave it alone I think it will reestablish itself.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: When we were there, it was about that. If they
leave it alone, it will come back.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Can I show them the picture you have?
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: You don't need to show it. I didn't see it. But
I'm just saying, would it be too much to ask them to put a few
plugs in there?.
TRUSTEE KING: It's interesting, the CAC supports this application
with the condition the beach grass is revegetated and roof drainage
conforms to Chapter 236.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: I don't think it's too much to ask to re-plant.
Board of Trustees 63 February 27, 2008
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: It's all, it's really hard to tell from these
pictures but all these are shoots. If they just let them go,
they'll all come back. The whole thing was filled.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: I didn't see it, so.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I would like to put a condition to maybe check it
in a year.
TRUSTEE KING: I think it will grow back.
MS. MOORE: Actually you guys have to do a post construction permit
inspection at the end of it. So if that's a problem, let us know.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Just make a notation to check the stability of
the beach grass.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I would also like to go back in a year, too. If
they're done in a couple of months, I want to the go back next year
and check it also.
MS. MOORE: Okay.
TRUSTEE KING: It's exempt from the LWRP because the conditions are
all landward.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Basically we can do the non-disturbance area
seaward of the coastal erosion line.
MS. MOORE: Well, you have a bulkhead there.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: You're right.
TRUSTEE KING: Any other comments on this application?
(No response.)
1'll make a motion to close the hearing.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: I'll make a motion to approve the application as
submitted with the stipulation that the area seaward of the wood
bulkhead be anon-disturbance area and there will be an
after-construction inspection of that area to see how the beach
grass is doing. And we'll have afour-foot access path through
that area to get down to the water. We'll also do aone-year
follow-up to see if the beach grasses come back.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: Pat, I'll mark this with a --just put an arrow with
a non-disturbance area with a four foot path.
MS. MOORE: Yes, that's good.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Number 15, Patricia Moore on behalf of GREGORY K.
JOHNSON requests a Wetland Permit to construct asingle-family
dwelling and new sanitary system. Located: 2870 Henry's Lane,
Peconic.
We went out and looked at this. It was found consistent.
Boazd of Trustees 64 Februazy 27, 2008
Recommended consistent under the LWRP. The CAC voted to support
the application with the condition that trees above eight inches in
diameter, I believe, are left in place. I think that's a little
difficult where you are putting, where the house was staked. I'm
not sure where the house was staked if there were trees greater
than eight inches in diameter -- okay, great.
This is a little unique in that the proposed house was all
entirely outside our jurisdiction but the building envelope is
quite large and it is within our jurisdiction and the proposed well
is within our jurisdiction. So there is activity within our
jurisdiction but the actual house and septic is all outside our
jurisdiction.
Is there anybody else here to speak on behalf of this
application?
MS. MOORE: I'm here to answer any questions.
MR. KEDENBURG: My name is Fred Kedenburg. I live with my wife Linda
at lot number seven which is the lot directly northwest.
We came here and spent the whole night to wait to make a short
point about a couple of hay bales, I guess. The hay bales are
great because they protect the stream. But the stream curves to
the northeast and comes back along where Dickinson Street is, which
is not a real street, and it feeds Autumn Lake, which is a lake
which is directly west of Goldsmith Inlet. It's a freshwater
pond. And the neighborhood people are just concerned that if
construction does eventually occur there, that silt will work its
way down to the northeast and get into the stream and start to fill
up the pond. And we just wanted to make sure or see if it was
possible to have as a stipulation as part of when construction
begins, you not only have hay bales and this fence protecting the
stream, but there should be hay bales and a fence protecting the
northeast and northwest corner of the property, which would protect
any silt or construction debris from working its way toward Autumn
Pond, which is a very fragile pond. It's kind of shallow as it
is. There is king fishes there and great blue herons, and it's a
viable pond. It has fish, freshwater fish, stuff like that.
This is Autumn Lake. (indicating.) Second Avenue comes down
and ends just about where the lake is. This is Salt Marsh Lane.
These are all the McMansions up there. My house is about right
here. I live on Henry's Lane. The end of Henry's Lane. This is
the PLT property is right next to my house, so we were just
concerned if there is construction here it would work its way down
into the pond, which is why we would like to have hay bales here
and a little here. But I'm so much higher than this area.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Is that a road (indicating)?
MR. KEDENBURG: This is a stream, actually.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: We kind of noticed a kind of a road.
Board of Trustees
65 February 27, 2008
MR. KEDENBURG: That's the old abandoned road for the Axeen (sic)
property. There was a cottage colony in that area. That was the
end of Henry's Farm was the abandoned rode runs through the woods
behind where this house is proposed and behind our house and heads
toward the PLT road. That's an old abandoned road that has not
been used in so long.
TRUSTEE KING: This is Autumn Pond. Does that drain into Goldsmith
Inlet?
MR. KEDENBURG: There is a pipe running under Second Avenue into
Goldsmith Inlet.
TRUSTEE KING: Do you know when the pipe was put in or who did it
MS. KEDENBURG: It was replaced.
TRUSTEE KING: Just curious. It looks like a bit of 18, 20 inch
pipe. And there is a lot of water coming out of it going into
Goldsmith Inlet.
MR. KEDENBURG: Not only from that stream but Autumn Pond is spring
fed.
TRUSTEE KING: So that kind of keeps Autumn Pond at one level?
MR. KEDENBURG: Yes.
MR. ROTHMAN: Ron Rothman, I live at 755 Salt Marsh Lane, which is
directly north between this property and Autumn Lake. And that
culvert had been crushed and broken about five or six years ago and
had been totally replaced on Second Avenue because it's, there is
an actual gate that opens that controls the level of Autumn Lake
which if it's not controlled will back up in the Spring and I'm
downhill from where this construction is and the thought of what
has happened in the past when they start taking trees down, which
was a concern, it's good to hear that that is in the record as far
as them not taking down big trees, but when they clear-cut and
there is more runoff it will tend to not only go into Autumn Pond,
it will go into Autumn Lake, right through my living room, which I
really don't care for.
So the concern of, my concern, the runoff and being down hill
aside from somebody upsetting the rural setting where I have been
for the last 25 years, we'll deal with that, but the concern of the
runoff and the pond and that culvert is very important to keeping
the level of that whole ecosystem because that water system feeds
from a pond upstream through that stream down to Autumn Lake, then
out to eventually Goldsmith Inlet.
TRUSTEE KING: I was surprised at the volume of water coming out of
there.
MR. ROTHMAN: The water level is pretty high.
MR. KEDENBURG: It's a huge ecosystem. It's a huge amount of wetlands.
MR. ROTHMAN: Is goes across Henry's Lane to the other side of
Henry's Lane. I think there is a pipe under Henry's Lane atone point.
MR. KEDENBURG: There is a whole path underneath Henry's Lane.
Board of Trustees 66 Februazy 27, 2008
TRUSTEE BERGEN: If we could just reel this conversation in so the
conversation directly pertains to this application. I appreciate
all the discussion about the area but I would like to get back on track.
MS. MOORE: That's not a problem. I'll have hay bales.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Would the applicant be willing to put a hay bale
line along the 13-foot contour line that is there along the
northwest side that way it would address the --
MS. MOORE: Yes, I just was drawing it as a triangle along the
property line, but the 13-foot contour makes sense. That's fine.
That's not a problem.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Are there any other comments from the audience; any
other comments from the Board?
(No response.)
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Is there an issue with the drainage through Mr.
Rothman's living room?
MS. MOORE: We have to have drywells. Nowadays you can't build a
house without it. You are supposed to have zero runoff.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: There are going to be conditions attached to this
to meet Code 236 of the Town Drainage Code, so that will be done.
MS. MOORE: That's actually part of the building permit you have to
do a certification, so.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Correct. And the applicant is willing to leave any
trees greater than eight inches in diameter within that building
envelope in place; in other words not within --
MS. MOORE: It's a beautiful piece of property. It's my client's
not the one to develop this. I think that realistically you can't
do anything on the east side of the property because of the
100-foot setback from the wetland. So that only really gives you
the west side of the property and given the fact that that will be
the only area can you comfortably develop, I hate to put extensive
limitations here. I think that we should, you know -- I would hope
that people don't clear cut a beautiful wooded piece of property
because you can go buy a farm field for that.
MR. KEDENBURG: We saw it across the street. Henry's Lane across
the street.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: If we could keep the comments toward the Board,
please.
Outside, what is designated as a building envelope, if we could
just limit no trees greater than eight inches being brought down
outside that building envelope. Because the building envelope
includes a great deal of that area that you are talking about.
MS. MOORE: I don't have philosophical problem with that, it's just
my concern is with people coming in and k, you know, imposing
unreasonable conditions. So I just don't know how many trees you
are talking about.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: 1 don't think it's an unreasonable condition from
Boazd of Trustees 67 Februazy 27, 2008
the Board to ask trees greater than eight inches in diameter to
remain outside the building envelope.
MS. MOORE: I'll say yes and what will happen I'll have to come back
for a permit from you.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: If you want to come back for an amendment, they'll
come back.
MS. MOORE: If it was me, I would not do that, but if somebody wants
to build a pool or something like that.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: If there are no other comments from the Board, I'll
make a motion to close the public hearing.
TRUSTEE KING: Second. All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE BERGEN: I'll make a motion to approve the application of
Patricia Moore on behalf of Gregory Johnson located 2870 Henry's
Lane, Peconic, with the stipulation that there will be no trees
greater than eight-inches in diameter that will be taken down
outside the building envelope; that appropriate drainage will be
provided for the house to comply with Chapter 236 of the Town
Drainage Code, and there will be, in addition to the hay bale line
depicted on the plans, there be a hay bale line on the northwest
side of the property along the 13-foot contour line. And we also
find this consistent, with these modifications, it will also
support the consistency recommendations, so the Board will find it
consistent with the LWRP.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Number 17, En-Consultants on behalf of HENRY
MAZZONI requests a Wetland Permit to clear to a distance no closer
than 50 feet from the filed bluff line and landward of the Coastal
Erosion Hazard Boundary Line, for the purpose of improving the
vacant subject parcel with atwo-story dwelling and appurtenances
located no closer than 100 feet from the top of the bluff. Located:
Stoney Beach Road, East Marion.
MR. HERMAN: Rob Herman, En-Consultants, on behalf of applicant,
Henry Mazzoni. Mr. Mazzoni is here.
It's a pretty straight forward application in a major respect
in that all the proposed structures are going to be located outside
of the Board's jurisdiction. Mr. Mazzoni's original intent was
just to file for a letter of non-jurisdiction but he consulted with
me and discussed the fact that we should obtain permission from the
Board for the clearing that would occur within the Board's
jurisdiction. So that's really all that is before the Board tonight.
The unusual aspect of the project is the fact there is a deed
of conservation easement over this property that was granted by the
Board of Trustees 68 February 27, 2008
original subdivider to the Peconic Land Trust. That deed of
conservation easement establishes certain, mostly private but also
some public, restrictions that govern how the property can be
developed.
I have carefully read this easement, I must say many times
before I could completely get all of it, but in hoping that, well
Kieran is not here but what I have culled from it is there are
certain restrictions that will ultimately effect Mr. Mazzoni's
ability to build on the parcel but none that should really affect
this proceeding.
Under section 4.06 of the easement, the individual owners of
these parcels are allowed to construct asingle-family dwelling and
appurtenances but not without the written consent of the Peconic
Land Trust. Since the proposed dwelling and appurtenances are
outside of the Boards's jurisdiction, that really renders that sort
of a moot restriction as far as the Trustees are concerned. It's
still something Mr. Mazzoni has to address before he can ultimately
build but, again, it's not within this Board's purview.
Under 4.04 of the restriction, clearing cutting or grading
that would occur within 50 feet of the top of the bluff, has to be
limited just to the removal of diseased or noxious vegetation and
any clearing proposed within 50 feet would actually require not
only the written consent of the Land Trust but also approval from
the Town Planning Board.
In order to avoid coming up against those restrictions, Mr.
Mazzoni has agreed to limit all of the proposed clearing to a
distance greater than 50 feet from the top of the bluff. So while
the proposed clearing between 50 and 100 feet is definitely within
your purview and definitely within the scope of our application,
your ability to grant permission for that is basically unfettered
by the easement because as long as we stay outside of that 50 foot
area there is no express written consent required from the Land
Trust or from the Town Planning Board.
So with that, what you are left with really is a proposal to
clear within that 50 to 100 foot area that would be associated with
the construction of the dwelling.
So if the Board has any questions, I'm happy to address it.
And again, Mr. Mazzoni is here as well.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Before we get to that, CAC did support the
application and LWRP is inconsistent as your comments just said for
the conservation easements.
MR. HERMAN: Inconsistent? What is inconsistent about it?
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Well, as I was saying, he goes through the
conservation easements and notes the cutting and the grading within
50 feet.
MR. HERMAN: There is none proposed.
Board of Trustees 69 February 27, 2008
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: And the recommendations are to maintain a 50
non-disturbance buffer landward of the top of the bluff.
MR. HERMAN: Oh, Peggy, I know what happened. Sorry. The original
application -- it's been so long since we filed --when we
originally filed the application, I was not aware of that
restriction inside the easement. So we had originally proposed 25
feet. I spoke to Mark and Mark made me aware of the restriction
that I just outlined and so Mr. Mazzoni in response to that altered
his application and we submitted those plans with a letter to the
Board before its field inspection. So what you should have is a
plan that proposes a 50 foot non-disturbance buffer adjacent to the
top of the bluff as Mark is suggesting. That's the plans you should
have in front of you now.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: But this is his review as of February 27 that is
inconsistent.
MR. HERMAN: Then he's looking at the wrong plans. We refiled -- we
filed the plans, in fact I gave them to Lauren --
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Maybe Mark is reiterating. That's my feeling,
he's saying inconsistent and saying there needs to be a maintained
50 foot non-disturbance which I would say would then make it consistent.
MR. HERMAN: That's what I'm saying. But we would not have to
change the current plan to provide that because you already had
them for a couple of weeks.
MR. CORCORAN: He's probably making it inconsistent first of all
because it's within 100 feet.
MR. HERMAN: But it's not. The structures are more than 100 feet.
The only thing that is proposed within a hundred feet is clearing,
but it's not proposed any closer than 50 feet.
MR. CORCORAN: It's semantics. It's activity within a hundred feet
so he's calling it inconsistent and noting that recommendation.
And you are right, this is a private easement. Once you get past
the Planning Board issues, which it seems like you are past it.
MR. HERMAN: Right. Mr. Mazzoni wanted to proactively comply with
that in part because he really -- he doesn't plan on clear cutting
the whole area we are getting permission to clear. He just has to
have permission to do selective clearing without ending up with a
violation. So unfortunately we have to cast an umbrella over the
area that we want to clear within, but that doesn't mean he'll cut
down every single tree.
MR. CORCORAN: Rob, there are also parts within the private easement
that are more general in terms of the type of clearing and grading
that should be done. I don't know how one would judge those.
MR. HERMAN: Yes. I saw that. That's what I was going to ask you.
MR. CORCORAN: But it's clearly Peconic Land Trust's rights to do
something if they didn't like the way you proposed to clear and
grade and disturb the environment.
Board of Trustees 70 February 27, 2008
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Kieran, I have a question. There is a stamped
letter from Denise Market for Peconic Land Trust stamped today and
it says we have not received neighbor notification regarding this
lot, although it goes on and on, but it says they would therefore
like this delayed because they have not had a chance to review it.
But then Lauren said she came in and she obtained the file. But
does that mean she reviewed it?
MR. CORCORAN: There is a few issues there. They are not an owner
of record so they didn't really statutorily need to be notified.
Now, they have an interest in the property because they are an
easement holder, and they have rights. So, I mean, as a Board you
just have to decide what you want to do about that. They had a
chance to look at it but they are asking you to wait.
MR. HERMAN: My question is, Kieran, as I read this under Article 3
and 3.01, it looks to my eye like it says before a dwelling can be
constructed, even one allowed in the later section, the dwelling
has to be presented to and receive, in effect, permission from the
Land Trust to be constructed. So Mr. Mazzoni cannot sidestep the
easement obligation to get permission, at least as I'm reading
this. If you correct me and I'm wrong, I'm sure Mr. Mazzoni will be
happier than the interpretation that I have. But it looks to me
like they have to go to them anyway, but I don't think they have to
go to them for what is in this Board's jurisdiction, is what I'm saying.
MR. CORCORAN: They don't have to. As a legal matter you don't have
to once you get past the issues of the Planning Board. You don't
really have to pay attention to this document, quite frankly. You
know, but you may want to. I don't know. The Board has a lot of
dealings with Peconic Land Trust. The town has a lot of dealings
with Peconic Land Trust and their activities made the subdivision
possible. So as a strict legal matter you can say that's up to the
applicant and the Land Trust to worry about their own rights and
this easement. If you want to do that, it's really kind of an
issue of comment.
MR. HERMAN: That's my point. We certainly respect the Land Trust
not only as an easement holder but as an organization. So the
point of my calling out that first section is just to say that if
the Board, even if the Board tonight or whenever approves the
clearing that is proposed, Mr. Mazzoni still has to go to the Land
Trust before he can build on this parcel at some point down the
road and make sure that he's not in any way violating the
easement. What we have done here tonight, we tried to comply with
the hundred foot plus setback under zoning, under LWRP, under
Wetlands and put all the structures out of yourjurisdiction. So
had Mr. Mazzoni just come in and ask for a letter of
non-jurisdiction, he would have gotten that and the Land Trust
would be none the wiser. I suggested he not go that route, that we
Board of Trustees 71 February 27, 2008
take the public route, we go here for a permit and we structure the
application in a way that didn't offend any portions of this.
I hear what you are saying, the Land Trust is still an
interested party but I don't know --
MR. CORCORAN: How would you react to closing the hearing and giving
the Land Trust a week to submit written comments. And if there is
no objections, then issue a permit?
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: As a person doing this, I would be more
comfortable with what you are suggesting than to ignore this letter
or make a decision to address the application with this letter in
my hand.
MR. HERMAN: I agree. The only thing I would ask, I can't be here
in March and I just hope not to delay Mr. Mazzoni's plans for iwo
months unnecessarily. So if it's possible to close the hearing
except for written comment and assuming there are no objections you
can then grant the permit. I have no problem with that.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Can't we just close the hearing and if we are okay
with it, can we approve it subject to getting approval from the
Peconic Land Trust?
MR. CORCORAN: The thing is, you don't need their approval. So you
may disagree with their comment or you may think they are going
overboard. They bargain for approval for certain things.
MR. HERMAN: Prior to what Jill just said, we absolutely agree that.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I'm thinking this is basically the first lot,
we'll have other lots we'll have to do the same thing, so we should --
MR. HERMAN: If there is a problem we'll have to come back and
reopen it. I don't want to lose two months of his time.
MR. MAZZONI: My name is Henry Mazzoni. I really don't want to lose
more time because I spent quite a bit of time with the Planning
Board on other issues.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: We are talking about a week.
MR. MAZZONI: I know, it's not just really the time it's also a matter of the
legal fact they don't really have the right to say anything.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: I'm going to make a motion.
TRUSTEE KING: We need to address the grading and filling.
MR. MAZZONI: The grading and filling, I want to keep it that way.
I like it. I don't have an issue with grading.
MR. HERMAN: Can I ask a question before I talk to my client?
Kieran, if you read 3.01, what does that say to you whether this is
a private easement or not? Under 3.01 structures, it's just this
paragraph, if you wouldn't mind reading that and interpreting that.
MR. CORCORAN: While I'm doing that, you have to make sure you read
4.06(a) and (b).
MR. MAZZONI: Let me ask you a question. If we give them another
week, I really like representation. He'll be back in April. So
it's not really a matter of a week.
Boazd of Trustees 72 February 27, 2008
MR. HERMAN: But it is. What they are saying, they'll close the
hearing except leave it open for a week for written comment. That
way the Land Trust can review this and if the Land Trust says they
don't have a problem with it, your permit will then be issued, just
as if they resolved it tonight.
MR. CORCORAN: Or even if they are not shocked by what the Land
Trust has to say. The Land Trust may say we have a problem with
this but they may ask me, do they have a right, I may say no. The
way I see this happening is if they are all satisfied, they'll vote
to give you a permit at the next meeting. If they are not, if they
are considering not, I think they would clearly give you an
opportunity to rebut anything.
MR. HERMAN: So I won't need to be here, is the point. I don't
think it behooves you to ask the Board to ignore the Land Trust
because you are, like it or not, inextricably bound to a
relationship with them on this parcel.
MR. MAZZONI: I'll give them another week. The only objection I
have, is they have a week they could personally be here. They
could have went to the property and we could have settled this tonight.
MR. HERMAN: I agree with that, but I don't want to pick a fight if
it's not necessary.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Are there any other issues to be addressed?
MR. HERMAN: I think that's fair, Henry. I think we should --
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: We had, I don't know when to do it, but the
concern of the Board was this area. And the recommendation is that
there be no grading, and you already said you have no intention of
doing any grading or filling in this area which we said -- no
grading and no fill within 25 feet landward of the clearing limit.
MR. HERMAN: So no grading or clearing within 75 feet of the top of
the bluff. That's fine. We already discussed that. It's within
75 feet from the top of the bluff.
TRUSTEE KING: That clarifies it.
MR. MAZZONI: And 1 have a question. If I want to transplant some
of the trees on the property, can I do that within your
jurisdiction? Within this 50 feet?
MR. HERMAN: Yes, you'll be issued a permit to clear between 50 and
100 feet, so what you do within that area is up to you. Probably
the more you transplant, the more you plant, the happier they'll be.
MR. MAZZONI: So I could transplant some of the trees if I want to
put them to another part of the property.
MR. HERMAN: In that permitted clearing area, yes.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: He has the first 50 that he's not allowed to
touch. The second 50 -- he wants to take the second 25, take those
plants and put it in the first section?
MR. HERMAN: No.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: It's getting confusing.
Board of Trustees 73 February 27, 2008
MR. MAZZONI: I'm not going to just clear cut the property. Some of
the trees are nice but I want to move them.
MR. HERMAN: Within the first 50 feet of the bluff, you can do
nothing. You can't transplant, you can't cut. After that, you'll
have a permit to do whatever you want.
MR. MAZZONI: Fine.
MR. HERMAN: Except fill or grade in the next 25 feet.
MR. MAZZONI: I don't want to fill or grade. I happen to like it that way.
MR. CORCORAN: I mean, since you need their approval this is really
not going to delay anything. It should be concurrent with getting
their approval.
MR. MAZZONI: In the event they say no, when do we review this?
MR. HERMAN: You guys will let me know in a week or so.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Yes. So I'm going to close the hearing.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second
MR. CORCORAN: I would propose you close the hearing for oral
testimony, leave it open for written submission for one week, and
reserve decision.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: All right. I'll make a motion to close the
hearing, keep it open for written comment for a week, and reserve
decision.
TRUSTEE KING: Second. All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
MR. HERMAN: Thank you, very much.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Number 18, En-Consultants on behalf of EAST END
HARBOR LIGHTS COMPANY, LLC, requests a Wetland Permit to remove and
replace inplace approximately 153 linear feet of existing timber
bulkhead with vinyl bulkhead and backfill with approximately 30
cubic yards clean sand to be trucked in from an upland source.
Located: 905 Harbor Lights Drive, Southold.
The Board did go out to see this. The LWRP coordinator is
finding this to be consistent with LWRP. The CAC has resolved to
support the application with the condition that the new bulkhead
abuts the existing bulkhead to the northwest.
I'll say that while the Board was out there, there was a
couple of things that we noted. I'll bring them up now so you can
address them.
There was one return there that we questioned if it was going
to be replaced.
MR. HERMAN: No.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: So I think we wanted to see that removed.
MR. HERMAN: You are talking about the bottom of the photo, yes.
There is no plans to replace that.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: We were recommending you make the buffer 20 foot.
I think that coincides with that. There is a CCA 6x6 or something
Board of Trustees
74 February 27, 2008
down to the right, I think that's going to be in line with what we
are talking about. So we are looking at a 20-foot non-turf buffer
and also just, and Jim was the one who caught this, and we looked
at it. There was an additional cement wall. It's not shown. And
did we find that cement wall was within our jurisdiction or
outside? Do you remember?
MR. HERMAN: Are you talking about the upland?
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Yes. There was a cement wall that was an extension
of the foundation.
TRUSTEE KING: That was outside of our jurisdiction.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Because we didn't make a field note on it.
TRUSTEE KING: I think I might have.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: That was pretty much it.
MR. HERMAN: I would like to let this lady speak before I respond.
She's been waiting all night.
MS. MARTIN: I'm Dorothy Martin. I represent the Paradise Shores
Association. My main concern is that the new bulkhead, which I
think you did say that it would connect with our existing
bulkhead. That was mainly what we were concerned about. We know
in the past when we have done bulkheads, Mr. Costello did them and
they were always connected with our existing bulkhead and I just
wanted to make sure that's what this is going to be.
MR. HERMAN: So you are talking you are the property, the
association is to the east, and the bulkhead comes across, then
there is like a 31-foot return that comes back. You want to make
sure that ties in and doesn't leave a gap.
MS. MARTIN: Correct
MR. HERMAN: That's the plan. Because the association bulkhead
actually extends just a little on to this property, so it will tie
into that same corner
MS. MARTIN: That's good. That's my only concern.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Any other problems, comments, questions from the
Board?
(No response.)
I'll make a motion we close the hearing.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: I'll make a motion that the Trustee Board also
concurs with the LWRP coordinator that we find this consistent with
LWRP and that we approve the application for East End Harbor Lights
Company as written in number 18 with the stipulation there be a
20-foot non-turf buffer and that the remnants of that return be
removed during the construction of the new bulkhead.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
Board of Trustees 75 February 27, 2008
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Number 19, En-Consultants on behalf of JOHN &
ANITA VASSIL requests a Wetland Permit to construct approximately
168 linear feet of vinyl bulkhead in place of existing timber
bulkhead; construct +/- 20' and +/-14 feet vinyl bulkhead returns
immediately landward of the existing timber returns to be removed;
and backfill with approximately 30 cubic yards clean sand fill to
be trucked in from an upland source. Located: 495 Rochelle Place,
Mattituck.
This is right next to the amendment we did earlier, Leighton.
And on this we would also like to see a 15-foot non-turf buffer. I
don't have, I don't know about the rest of the Board, but I don't
have a problem, do you want, in front, and taper off to maybe ten
feet on this side but 15 over here, on the wall side. Matching up
with the neighbor?
MR. HERMAN: Actually, I didn't want to get into this in the part
that was not really the public portion. I would really like to see
a ten-foot buffer on both because it's going to be difficult for me
to go back to these two clients, who are going in on this project
together and say, well, you know, we walked away with ten-foot
buffer for you but you have to have a 15-foot buffer, and I think
the reality of it is on the east side of this parcel, I mean 15
feet brings you up almost right to the corner of the dwelling. You
would not even have an area to walk through here. I don't think
either -- I mean both parcels of these houses have been around for
a long time. The bulkheads have been in place for a long time. I
really think that the ten-foot buffer is going to be sufficient. I
would like to keep them uniform for these two properties, if it's
possible. Unless there is something really pressing in the Board's
mind that the additional five feet is going to impact something
here. I would like to just do ten on both, keep them continuous
and go back. The work will all be done at the same time, same
contractor.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Certainly better than what is there now.
MR. HERMAN: Yes, it's a hell of a lot better than what is there now.
TRUSTEE KING: In my mind, it's tight.
MR. HERMAN: Even ten feet is tight but I'm saying if we could do
ten feet for both, it may be a little tight for one but a little
less on the other. But overall you get a good buffer and we end up
with the same thing for both people and we don't have to come back
fighting over five feet.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: What does the rest of the Board feel?
TRUSTEE KING: I don't have a problem with it being consistent.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: We have to go back and re-do the amendment on the
other amendment.
Boazd of Trustees 76 Februazy 27, 2008
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: CAC supports the application with the condition
that non-treated lumber is used and anon-turf buffer 50% of the
distance from the house to the top of the bulkhead.
MR. HERMAN: That might get me smaller than ten. Actually, the
distance is about 19 feet, so let's stick with the ten.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: It's consistent with LWRP.
MR. HERMAN: It should be exempt.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I believe the Board finds it consistent as well;
adding the non-turf buffer makes it consistent more. I make a
motion to close the public hearing.
TRUSTEE KING: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I make a motion to approve the application of
En-Consultants on behalf of John and Anita Vassil, 495 Rochelle
Place, to replace the bulkhead as applied for with returns and ten
foot non-turt buffer.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Before you move on, do you want to amend the other
one?
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Why don't we continue with the public hearings and
then when we go off public hearings we'll go back.
MR. HERMAN: Thank you. Good night.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Number 21, Costello Marine on behalf of GARDINER'S
BAY ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION requests a Wetland Permit to
remove and replace 382 feet of existing bulkhead, walkway and
catwalk dock sections. Relocate 166 feet section "A" and "B" six
feet landward to provide straight alignment with existing adjacent
bulkhead, walkway, dock structures at northwest end and remaining
216 feet to be reconstructed inplace. Construct new low-profile
bulkhead below sections "D" and "E", provide six foot wide non-turf
buffer area and revegetate with Cape American Beach Grass. Located:
Gardiner's Bay Estates, East Marion.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: For the record, I would like to recuse myself on
this one.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: The Board went out and looked at this and it was
reviewed under the LWRP and found to be consistent. And CAC
resolved to support the application.
I'll read this. CAC supports the application with the
condition sections "A" and "B" are replaced in the existing
location, not landward, and doesn't support the new bulkhead in "D"
and "E" because there is no need shown. CAC also recommends the
use of open grate materials on the decking of the dock on sections
Boazd of Trustees
77 February 27, 2008
"A" through "E." The area between the pavement and the dock shall
remain natural and planted with native vegetation. That's the
CAC's recommendations.
Is there anybody here who would like to speak on behalf of
this application?
MR. COSTELLO: Yes, my name is John Costello with Costello Marine
Contracting. We are the agent for the applicant, and the applicant
is trying to replace and maintain their existing structures. And
to the benefit of the entire community they are going to try to
pull back a section of the bulkhead further back inland to widen
the waterway out and straighten out the line as best they could.
All these structures exist and they are aged and in need of repair.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: A couple of questions or things we found. First
off, along this length we found three drainage lines that are
coming through the bulkhead and so we are going to ask that they be
closed off as when, during construction of this.
Also, on the, what I look here as the northern end of this,
which is, bear with me for a second. I'm looking to see -- it's
sections "A" and "B", at the northern end, if it could be brought
in line with the other neighbor's bulkhead that runs to that.
Right now there is, it would have to be pulled back slightly to be
equal with the neighbor's bulkhead. It appears as though on the
drawing it's drawn to be that way.
MR. COSTELLO: Yes, it is.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Okay. Thank you. The other question we had is the
second access ramp, why a second access ramp is requested there
because while you show the paved roadway going down there, it
didn't appear as though there was access to that proposed second
access ramp. In other words it would have to be vegetation cut
down in order to create apathway/driveway to that second access
ramp and given its proximity to the first one, what the need was
for a second one.
MR. COSTELLO: Okay, if you look at page three of nine, they are
both along the roadway or what is a roadway that is used by
vehicles. The second one, they also have people that pass this
area from the beach area, and neither one is a ramp but they are
walkways just for access. This is a narrow roadway, someone comes
down there with a car, you certainly don't want to wait. You can
get access. They both exist now so it was just that the foot
traffic that is in that area, it would just be handy. But it's there now.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Do you have any response to the CAC's
recommendation, first recommendation that "D" and "E" are not
needed, so no need for replacement of those.
MR. COSTELLO: They need to be replaced. Unfortunately, underneath
there is wetlands there and we want to try to maintain those
wetlands. And I think the open grate decking would only suggest
Board of Trustees
78 February 27, 2008
improving that. I mean, but the age of them, I can tell you that
if they are not replaced now, they will be replaced in the very
near future. It's unfortunate.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: So you would agree to their other recommendation on
the use of open grate material on the decking?
MR. COSTELLO: I think, because there is vegetative wetlands in that
area, so I'm sure that would help. A lot of spots it doesn't help
but where the sun does rise over the top of it, I'm not a big fan
of the open grating but, because it does shade, but where it's
running east and west, there will be more sunlight penetration
because of that. So I mean it would only help the wetlands.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Is there anybody else who wanted to speak with
regard to this application?
MR. MCNAB: The sections "D" and "E" is not a dock. It's not a
bulkhead now.
MR. COSTELLO: "E" is a dock with a bulkhead underneath it. It's a
low sill bulkhead underneath. High tide it would be difficult to see.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: You're right. He pointed right to it. You can see
the low sill, right along there. That's all "E".
MR. MCNAB:. We must have been there at high tide. Because we
noticed a lot of grass growing in the back side. But the grating
was pretty high tide that day so we didn't see anything below.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: You didn't know you were supposed to wade in?
MR. MCNAB: It was one of the colder days.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Are there any comments from the Board with regard
to this application?
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Did you address the drainage situation?
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Yes, we addressed that. If not, I'll make a motion
to close the public hearing.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE BERGEN: I'll make a motion to approve the application of
Costello Marine on behalf of Gardiner's Bay Estates Homeowners
Association as described and location in Gardiner's Bay Estates,
Tax Maps 37-4-18 with the condition that the three drainage pipes
that are presently going through this bulkheaded area will be
closed off to address the road runoff issue and that there will be
open-grated materials used on the deck, and with those amendments
to this permit, it will support the consistency recommendation, so
the Board would find it consistent under the LWRP.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(Trustee Bergen, aye. Trustee Dickerson, aye. Trustee King, aye.
Trustee Ghosio, aye.) (Trustee Doherty, recused.)
TRUSTEE BERGEN: We would just ask for a revised plan showing open
Boadd of Trustees
79 February 27, 2008
grating being used. And the pipes are not on this plan, so.
MR. COSTELLO: Can I get one clarification a little bit. The open
grating is only going to be used in the area where the vegetated
wetlands are, right? That's what you are requesting?
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Which are sections "D" and "E."
MR. COSTELLO: Right.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Thank you for clarifying that, with the open
grating being used as shown on the plans as sections "D" and "E."
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Number 22, Costello Marine on behalf of ISABELLE
HOULBREQUE requests a Wetland Permit to remove 56 feet of existing
bulkhead and 52 feet of existing 3.5' wide wooden walkway and
replace same inplace using C-Loc vinyl sheathing for bulkhead.
Located: 210 Knoll Circle, East Marion.
The Board went out to see this and the Board made a comment in
the field to move back the bulkhead to match the next door neighbor
and establish anon-turf buffer.
The LWRP coordinator has found it to be consistent with a
condition that the following practices be followed: Minimize the
use of CCA in the construction; highlights using encapsulated
pilings and native non-chemically treated, untreated lumber only
should be used in these sensitive areas requiring installation of a
silt boom and to provide adequate buffers.
CAC resolved to support of application with the condition of
the new bulkhead is matched to the existing bulkhead to the south
and ten-foot non-turf buffer encompassing the gazebo is installed
behind the bulkhead.
Is there anybody here who would like to address this
application?
MR. COSTELLO: Yes, again, John Costello, Costello Marine. We are
the agent for the applicant.
The only difficulty, I could certainly, it will join the
bulkheads on both sides. As you know, there is a curvature to the
existing bulkhead. And if you tray to get the bulkhead straighter,
you are still going to have to have a point. It can't be a
straight line. I mean, I don't know how you could make it a
straight line at that location. I mean you would have to excavate
straight back almost to the house in order to get a straight line
from one point to the other.
If you looked at the survey, the survey will indicate that the
bulkhead is not as curved as it is. It goes from point A to point
B to point C to make it. We will attempt, and we talked to the
owner. They have no problem on trying to get it as straight as
possible by pulling it back to some degree. It would just be
difficult to get it totally inline with one point to the other.
You would be taking a lot of fill out there. It would only improve
Boazd of Trustees
80 February 27, 2008
the waterway by pulling it back whatever degree you can. To go
straight from one adjoining bulkhead to the other adjoining
bulkhead would be a little on the difficult side. They do have
deeds on the survey. You'll see. But there is two junctures.
You've seen the photographs we submitted, right? It's quite
curved, and you can straighten it out to a major degree but whether
you can get it to go from one adjoining bulkhead to the other
adjoining bulkhead, I don't know.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: I would imagine you could still join at the two
ends and still have a curvature.
MR. COSTELLO: You can correct a major portion of it but I don't
know if you can correct it in its entirety in a straight line.
I'll try. We can try to do it as much as we can.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Comments, questions from the Board?
(No response.)
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: It makes sense what John saying, connect the two,
but you still have a curve in there. That's kind of what I was
picturing anyway.
MR. COSTELLO: It won't be a curve. It will be straight to a point
and then from that point to the other bulkhead. I could pull it back.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Our intention is not to cut out this person's
property.
MR. COSTELLO: No. And I don't want to try to sneak 200 or 300 yards
of fill through the property because that's, I don't want a lot of
material to come out of there.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Are we recommending a silt boom? I heard you
read it.
MR. COSTELLO: Yes, I have no problem with a silt boom. It's muddy
material. When we remove this bulkhead, you know, we'll try to
save it. We'll have to truck fill out, but that's, you know, it
would be, a silt boom would be wise in this area. I'll probably
incorporate the silt boom on the last permit that you gave us for
the Gardiner's Bay, only because when we pull that bulkhead back it
would be wise to have it. That's all.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: John, do you remember, I forgot to look in the
Milns file, is that a ten foot buffer. Milns is the one right next door.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: You want to match that buffer.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Yes.
MR. COSTELLO: It will go around the gazebo. It's not grass to any
degree. We'll revegetate it with native species. Whatever.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Any comments?
(No response.)
I'll make a motion to close the hearing.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
Board of Trustees 81 Februazy 27, 2008
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: I'll make a motion that because the applicant is
going to use a silt boom, not use treated wood wherever possible,
and provide aten-foot non-turf buffer to match the neighbor and go
around the gazebo as well, that the Board will find this to be
consistent with LWRP, and I further move that we approve this
application for Isabelle Houlbreque as described in number 22 of
the agenda with the stipulation that we have that ten foot,
non-turf buffer and that we match at the point of connect with the
neighbor's bulkheads. I think that's it.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Costello Marine Contracting on behalf of KINGS 8~
ALPHAS, LLC, C/O RICHARD ISRAEL requests a Wetland Permit to remove
existing wood walkway to allow construction of 136' of new bulkhead
immediately in front of existing bulkhead using vinyl sheathing.
Replace wood walk inkind/inplace, and provide ten-foot non-turf
buffer zone behind bulkhead. Located: 745 Osprey nest Road,
Greenport.
Is there anyone here who would like to speak to this
application?
MR. COSTELLO: We are the agent for Richard Israel on this
application.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: We have CAC support for this application. LWRP
review indicates it is inconsistent. Its comments are about the
bulkhead being put in front of. It asks that the proposed action
will project further seaward of the existing wood bulkheads to the
west and east of the property. It's also recommending encapsulated
pilings and is also recommending silt booms. The Board, also, I
believe, looking at the field notes, were not in favor of being
placed in front of and we are recommending that it be in place or
behind. What's the Board's feelings?
MR. COSTELLO: I'll address those questions in a moment. If there
are any other questions, 1'll try to address them all.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: I see a ten-foot, non-turf buffer but I thought
the lawn was big enough fora 20-foot.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: My notes show ten.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: On this property we felt ten was enough.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Ten on this and 20 on the one next door.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: It's ten here and, yes, I'm thinking of the
neighbor. So it would be ten foot buffer. Those are the only comments.
MR. COSTELLO: Could I ask you whether the ten foot buffer could be,
there is an existing wooden deck on the Israel property, not that
one, but the next one.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: This is Israel, correct?
Board of Trustees 82 Februazy 27, 2008
MR. COSTELLO: That's the connection. But it has the wooden deck.
How much of the wooden deck can be part of the non-turf buffer? He
doesn't want the lawn particularly but he wants to keep as much of
the landscaping.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: To include the decking part as the buffer.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Yes, that could be.
MR. COSTELLO: That's all. Because he wanted the deck area.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: The deck is being replaced?
MR. COSTELLO: I'm going to replace the deck anyway.
The other comment that you made about the bulkhead not going
out, again, offshore, I think in order for the DEC permit, that I
will have to do it in place. I mean they are not going to allow to
go outside. That's the comment we got.
TRUSTEE KING: I think if it's done in place it brings it more into
consistency. I think that's why he has the inconsistency is
because it's going seaward.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: That's what I understand from the comments.
MR. COSTELLO: Basically it will be in place.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: So I'll say 136 feet of bulkhead in place.
Being no other comments, I'll make a motion to close the hearing.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: I'll make a motion to approve the application
for Costello Marine Contracting on behalf of Kings & Alphas C/O
Richard Israel requesting a wetland permit to remove existing
walkway, to allow construction of 136 feet of bulkhead in place
using vinyl sheathing. The replacing wood walkway would be
inkind/inplace and provide aten-foot non-turf buffer zone behind
the bulkhead. So is this walkway ten foot? So that's the buffer?
MR. COSTELLO: That's part of the buffer. What we are doing in the
non-turf buffer is probably replace all the decking and, you know,
landscape with. He also has some heavier vegetation just to the
other side of that he wants to try to avoid tearing out.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Also I would like to add that creating this
bulkhead in place and giving it the buffer would deem this
consistent now with LWRP.
TRUSTEE KING: Second. All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: 24, Costello Marine on behalf of GEORGE GARBE
requests a Wetland Permit to construct 117' of new bulkhead and 16'
south return immediately in front of existing bulkhead using vinyl
sheathing and provide aten-foot non-turf buffer zone behind the
bulkhead. Located 685 Osprey Nest Road, Greenport.
CAC supports the application with aten-foot non-turf buffer
Boazd of Trustees
83 February 27, 2008
installed landward of the bulkhead however has a concern with the
present location of the bulkhead as its inconsistent with the
public trust doctrine. Can you elaborate?
MR. WILDER: The public trust doctrine says you must have access
between high and low water for the public.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: All right. That's why I'm confused. Because
there is really no access there. And LWRP finds it inconsistent
for the same exact reasons as the previous.
So with George Garbe would we also be doing it in place, Mr.
Costello?
MR. COSTELLO: Yes.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: We'll change that and it would bring it into
consistency with the LWRP. And on this one, the property is
larger, so we are thinking of a 20-foot non-turf buffer. We would
like to see that.
MR. COSTELLO: Well, I have one comment on that. Only because the
gentleman spent one heck of a lot of money on the zoysia grass.
It's total zoysia grass so he doesn't have to fertilize it. So, I
mean, and he even asked me if I could take that grass up and put it
back, and 1 told him that there is no way that they were going to
allow grass, whether it's -- so, I don't know. I mean, I don't
want to expand the buffer area anymore than I have to because I
told him he'll have to probably use like American Beach Grass,
native plantings, and he's my zoysia is going to be destroyed? He
says I do no fertilizing, but I do water it. I don't know.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: How much do you disturb doing bulkhead?
MR. COSTELLO: I'll probably disturb 12 feet there. I mean, I have
to dig it up in order to get the backing in.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: What does the Board feel; is it all right to do a
ten-foot non-turf buffer or 12 or 15? What are your thoughts?
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: I would rather go to 15.
MR. COSTELLO: Does anyone on the Board need zoysia grass?
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Zoysia serves a really good purpose, unfortunately
it's listed as an invasive species. But it is very salt tolerant.
MR. COSTELLO: It is. This has been under water.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: It requires minimal --
MR. WILDER: I had it in Georgia. I didn't realize it was up here.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: I'm fine with 15.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: We have a compromise with a 15-foot non-turf
buffer.
MR. COSTELLO: I'll just blame you for taking the zoysia grass.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Are there any other questions or concerns on
this?
(No response.)
We did have comments about connecting with the bulkhead to the
south and I did speak to John and he was reluctant to not put the
Board of Trustees
84 February 27, 2008
return in because he doesn't know what that person is doing, plus,
as he explained earlier tonight, if one fails or whatever, he would
like to have the return in there, so that's why we didn't ask him
tonight because we already asked him that.
Hearing no other comments, I'll make a motion to close the hearing.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I'll make a motion to approve the application of
Costello Marine Contracting on behalf of George Garbe for
requesting a Wetland Permit to conduct 117' new bulkhead and 16'
south return immediately in place of existing bulkhead using vinyl
sheathing and provide a 15-foot non-turf buffer zone behind the
bulkhead. Located at 685 Osprey Nest Road.
TRUSTEE KING: Second. All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: And by putting this bulkhead in place I find
consistent with LWRP. The board determines it to be consistent
with LWRP.
TRUSTEE KING: Second. All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE KING: Number 25, Costello Marine Contracting on behalf of
THOMAS GIESE requests a Wetland Permit to remove 58' of existing
bulkhead "A" and replace inplace using C-Loc vinyl sheathing.
Backfill area behind new bulkhead with clean trucked in soil
approximately 26 cubic yards and revegetate areas with Cape
American Beachgrass 12" on center; remove 18' of existing bulkhead
"B" and replace inplace using C-Loc vinyl sheathing; remove
existing marine railway and replace inkind and inplace with new and
approved materials; remove remains of existing wooden dock and
construct a new 4x10' fixed dock with a 32"x20' seasonal aluminum
ramp onto a 6x20' seasonal floating dock secured by four six-inch
diameter pilings. Located: 5860 Skunk Lane, Cutchogue.
Is there anyone here to speak on behalf of this application?
MR. COSTELLO: John Costello, Costello Marine. We are the agent for
Mr. Giese on this application.
And the original application as read, after discussions that
in finding out that there was previous litigation with one of the
neighboring properties where the Trustees won the litigation not
allowing a floating dock, I was unaware of that litigation and we
are willing and are changing this into a fixed structure without
the floating dock, without the seasonal ramp and not extending any
further out than the adjoining poles that are tying up existing
boats of both adjoining properties; one to the north and one to the
south. And allowing the dock to be constructed inset 12 feet from
Board of Trustees 85 February 27, 2008
that line so that a boat could be tied up there and no boat will be
projecting out past the existing lines. It will be a fixed
structure in an "L" shape in order to try and stay off the property
lines. It goes across the railway. I think, I don't know, plans
were submitted to the Board?
TRUSTEE KING: Yes.
MR. COSTELLO: I thought they were delivered, but what we are trying
to do --
TRUSTEE KING: It shows an "L" shape, open grate.
MR. COSTELLO: We are putting open grating on because there is some
vegetation, again, running north and south, gives it the most
sunlight for the vegetation.
You'll see on page three, I believe, page three, you'll see
where the existing, adjoining docks project. One does have a
seasonal float and ramp and one doesn't. But the pilings are out
there any we tried to stay within.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: What we are looking at here is what you are
proposing does stay within the pier line of the other two. The
poles that go out farther than the other two docks but it's more
structured than the other two neighbors' docks.
MR. COSTELLO: They tie a boat to those pilings.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Correct. They put the bow to the catwalk and the
stern to the poles. And I think that's, when we went out and
looked, if you had a similar structure to that rather than the "L"
shape. Because the "L" shape creates more structure.
MR. COSTELLO: It's more structure but I could secure a boat better
and having the open grating, I mean it's less shading on the bottom.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Does it have to be 24-foot long on an "L"?
Because that's --
MR. COSTELLO: It could be 20 but I would have one additional
piling, that's all. It would make no difference. What we did was
narrow that 24 foot. I'm recommending three foot in width. And
decking it with a four foot, basically. So it is a narrower structure.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: We were talking after the field inspection and
John asked what about if we do that. And I said fine, but I wasn't
picturing something that big.
MR. COSTELLO: Well, I narrowed it up to three foot. I put it in
front of the railway, but the railways actually, the DEC said the
railways are anon-functional thing. I don't believe that. I
believe that the railways are used by the private owner to put a
boat in, to put a boat out. It's not used as a commercial
operation and it only serves him.
TRUSTEE KING: I didn't see any evidence of there of that being used
recently, John.
MR. COSTELLO: It was used a couple of years ago. There was a boat
on it.
Board of Trustees
86 Februazy 27, 2008
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I think what I'm hearing is we want this staked
and go out and the look at it again.
MR. COSTELLO: Sure. That's fine.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I'm thinking I would not want more than 20 feet.
I wouldn't want smaller. I don't know what the rest of the Board thinks.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: Let's see it staked and go from there. We can
address some of the other parts of this application also.
MR. COSTELLO: Can I explain that 24 feet? Because the 24 feet
incorporates the four foot width on the dock going out. You see
how it's drawn. I mean, if I extended the existing dock to four feet --
TRUSTEE BERGEN: It's a 20 foot "L."
MR. COSTELLO: I just tried to narrow it up.
TRUSTEE BERGEN: We'll need to see it staked.
MR. COSTELLO: I could stake it, and the bulkhead is going to be
removed, basically. Actually the DEC recommended that that
bulkhead come out because it's non-functional use. I would also,
my feeling is I would rather cut it off at the dirt line. The
material in the bottom is still holding back some degree of dirt.
I mean, then it's a super low sill bulkhead. I would certainly
would not want that to erode into the bay. I don't. So what I
would do instead of removing it all, I'll try with the DEC just to
cut it off at the mud line.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: That makes sense.
TRUSTEE KING: This has been found inconsistent, but this has been
reviewed also with the ramp and float and everything, so what we'll
do is when we hash out what we'll look at, we'll have him do
another evaluation.
MR. COSTELLO: I think you should. Only because the plans have not
changed a little, they changed a lot.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Do you want to put in another description, too?
MR. COSTELLO: Yes, it's not even close. The whole description has
to change.
TRUSTEE KING: The CAC is not supporting it. It recommends existing
bulkhead be removed and the area be cleaned up and re-vegetated.
Shoreline should be left in its natural state. These are kind of
my thoughts, too, on this project.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: What happens if you withdraw this application and
just close the hearing and everything and get rid of it.
MR. COSTELLO: As described it won't be approved anyway by any
agency, probably.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Why not just deny it.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Then he'll have to totally reapply and everything
else.
TRUSTEE KING: Why don't we just table it and let him make the
modification.
MR. COSTELLO: Maybe I could get moved up in the agenda.
Board of Trustees
87 February 27, 2008
TRUSTEE KING: I'll make a motion we table this application and
we'll revisit it at our next field inspection.
TRUSTEE DICKERSON: Second.
MR. COSTELLO: I'll provide a better description.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
AMENDMENTS:
TRUSTEE KING: Before we finish up, we have to go back, under
amendments, Robert Leighton. I believe we said a 15 foot non-turf
buffer. We were going to make ten instead of 15.
Number three, ROBERT LEIGHTON, under amendments. We approved
it and we approved it with aten-foot, non-turf buffer rather than
15-foot non-turf.
MR. CORCORAN: So somebody make a motion to amend the prior
resolution.
TRUSTEE KING: I'll make a motion to amend the prior resolution on
Robert Leighton changing it from a 15-foot non-turf buffer to a
10-foot non-turf buffer.
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Second.
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: The other thing we have to do is set a meeting to
go over our Reserve Decisions. We have two Reserve Decisions.
We'll do both of them then.
TRUSTEE KING: I'm not sure if I want to do both. I'll gladly do
one. The one that was controversial I want to spend some more time
on that and possibly find out what is going on with DEC as far as
that application is concerned.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: I was going to recommend March 10.
TRUSTEE KING: That gives me enough time.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: That's what I was thinking.
MR. CORCORAN: You don't have to notice what you are going to be
doing. Just notice that it's going to be a work session and a
regular meeting, regular meeting of the Trustees.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: What time would you like it, Bob?
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: Daylight savings time begins the day before.
MS. STANDISH: Does Monday the 10th?
TRUSTEE GHOSIO: We can do 5:30.
MS. STANDISH: Where are we holding this meeting? I'll try for the
conference room at the annex. 5:30.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Motion we go off the public meeting.
TRUSTEE KING: Yes, I make that motion.
TRUSTEE DOHERTY: Second.
Board of Trustees 88 Februazy 27, 2008
TRUSTEE KING: All in favor?
(ALL AYES.)
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