Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Correspondence Twomey, Latham, Celebrating Our 45rtiYar MAILING ADDRESS: Shea, Kelley, Dubin & Quartararo LLP Post Office Box 9398 Riverhead,New York 11901-9398 Attorneys at Law MAIN OFFICE: Thomas A.Twomey,Jr. 33 West Second Street (1945-2014) Riverhead,New York 11901.9398 Stephen B.Latham toIh1nW2,rn�r4 sUt1`0kIa!,v.c(srn Telephone:631.727.2180 John E Shea,III Christopher D.Kelley Extension 265 Fa4simile:631.727.1767 David M.Dubin > Direct Fax: (631)574-1258 www.suffolklaw.com Jay P Quartararo Peter M.Mott Janice L.Snead C mmi L August 6 2018 - l '�� Anne Matic Good;de , Bryan C.Van Cott• Kathryn D;dli Laura I.Dunathan Lisa Clare Kombrink Via Electronic Mail Patrick B.Fife AU�G 6 2� N Martin D.Finnegan. Rein Ehrahimi Mr. Donald J. Wilcenski,Chair Jeffrey W.Pagano PlanningBoard of the Town of Southold arus iq Ti and �8��11ui1q�g d��t� Bryan J.Drago P.O. Box 1179 Bernadette E.Tuthill Craig H.Handler Southold,NY 11971-0959 Alexandra HalseyStorch Melissa S.Doris Katerina Grinko Re: Residential Site Plan—Vineyard View Affordable Housing Lorraine Paceleo Project/SCTM#1000-40-3-1 Jessica M.Klersy Terrence Russell OFCOUNSEL Dear Mr. Wilcenski and Members of the Board: Kevin M.Fox Kelly E. Hoeg s Karen A..Hoeg This office represents Carol and Joseph Berardino, Kevin Mannix, Kimon Patricia J.Russell Retzos, Michael Feinberg, Ronald and Wini Spillane, Donna and David Campbell, Jennifer P.Nigro. Timothy and Georgia Quinn, and Nelle and Jolyon Stem, all of whom reside on the north TNY&L,aAK side of County Route 48, across the street from the proposed development. While our LLu to TnxnnX� 'Y h��„,0. clients recognize and appreciate the need for affordable housing in the Town of Southold, and are not opposed to the Vineyard View development in general, they have significant concerns about certain aspects of the project that they would like the Planning Board to consider and address. First and foremost is ingress and egress from the site. The current proposal contemplates a deceleration lane for eastbound cars entering the site. We submit that a left turning lane should be added for access by westbound vehicles. Similar lanes currently exist at San Simeon, the Cliffside Condominium development, each of which have lower total occupancy than that proposed for the Vineyard View development, and at Chapel Lane, all of which are in the vicinity of the proposed development. As the Planning Board is aware, the speed limit on County Route 48 is 50 miles per hour. The expansion of the ferry service, the advent of the Lavender Farm, additional wineries and the growth of Greenport Village as a tourist destination have all contributed to a significant increase in traffic volume along the 48 corridor. Motorists rarely adhere to the OTHER OFFICE LOCATIONS: posted speed limit as they race to or from the ferry and accidents, like the recent tragedy 20 Main Screer which took one life and severely injured six others on July 15'h, mere feet from the ELS[Hampton,NY 11937 ro osed development, are sadl common. We submit that the absence of a left turn lane 631.324.1200 P P Y for westbound vehicles will undoubtedly increase the number of accidents in the area in 51 Hill street ears to come. The Planning Board should implore the Suffolk County Department of Southampton,NY 11968 Y g P •J P 611.287.0090 Public Works to reconsider its current determination that a left turn lane is unnecessary. 490 Wheeler Road Suite 150 Second, an updated and relevant traffic impact study is essential. The study relied Hauppauge,NY 11788 631.265.1414 upon by the applicant is dated and remote in its analysis of CR 48 at Young's Avenue. It 56340 Main Road P.O.Box 325 Southold,NY 11971 631.765.2300 Mr. Donald J.Wilcenski and Members of the Planning Board August 6, 2018 Page 2 of 2 is our understanding that the Planning Board has sought a peer review of the sufficiency of that study. Regardless of the results of that review, it is patently clear that a current study of the traffic on CR 48 between Chapel Lane and Route 25 is essential for this board to properly evaluate how this development will intensify the existing traffic concerns in the area. Third, the Planning Board should refer this matter to the Town Board and the Southold Town Transportation Commission for an evaluation of the 50 mph speed limit with a request that they recommend that the County reduce the speed limit between Town Beach and Route 25 to 40 mph. The proposed development is surrounded by residential neighborhoods. The introduction of 50 more families to the area requires careful reconsideration of the need for highway speeds in the area. The speed limits to the east and west are presumably reduced to achieve traffic calming for the safety of residents and motorists. The same reduction should be implemented here. Fourth, the proposed development should be substantially screened to maintain the existing natural vegetated scenic byway. The Visual Impact Study that is of record shows little if any screening of the proposed units. The buildings may be well designed for their purpose but they are not in keeping with the character of the surrounding neighborhood. Additional screening would also reduce noise impacts on the Vineyard View residents from the traffic on CR 48. It is respectfully requested that the Planning Board address all of the above issues in their review of the pending application and that the record of this proceeding remain open for written comment on any further submissions by the applicant or any referring agency. Thank you for your consideration. �ery>truly u sMannegan MDF/lk cc: Carol and Joseph Berardino Kevin Mannix Kimon Retzos Michael Feinberg Ronald and Wini Spillane Donna and David Campbell Timothy and Georgia Quinn Nelle and Jolyon Stern Barbara K. Olton �� � .. 1 88 Mallard Laneo� IJ Greenport, NY 11945 �CfMI�PI� 1 (CMI�fY .l3CF�aE May 5, 2018 Southold Town Council Southold, New York Dear Council Members, The dire need for affordable housing on the North Fork became painfully apparent to me recently. I have come to know a bright, cheerful hardworking young woman who currently has one part time job and cleans houses on a free lance basis for additional income. Her husband has a steady construction job and they have a three year old child. Between them their gross income is$62.000 a year; not enough to rent a suitable apartment for more than$1200 a month. They have looked for months, without success, for a reasonably priced apartment. They currently live together in a bedroom in a relative's house. Not only do they feel uncomfortable imposing, but the space is not sufficient for a family of three. This is just one of the many cases I have heard about during our tenure on the East End. Our community depends on the very people for whom there is no residential support. The income inequality here is especially detrimental to hardworking people. I understand there are environmental concerns about the proposed,well-planned affordable housing project that is before you. By way of background, I am proud to call myself a life-long environmentalist. I worked for the US EPA, Region II in New York and directed an environmental education center and nature preserve in Buffalo, New York. My husband and I support environmental causes. My experience tells me that environmental concerns, such as those put forth in the community, can be mitigated with careful planning. It is an imperative to do this for the sustainability of the community and its residents. When impacts on environment are minimal and decent,tax- paying and contributing families in our very own community are in need of housing, there is no other reasonable choice but to support affordable housing. Thank you. Sincerely, Barbara K. Olton f j:..es .�mo� ' o.�:,,.Jolyon 9er�n and Nelle Nuvent on the Vineyaar, _View Pro`ect ..t thc" Prel>minar Public Hearin Ma 7 2018 .. � Dear Planning Board We started enjoying our home at 63005 North Road Greenport, directly across the street from this proposed project, in the 1970s. We ask you to focus on three particular areas before taking any action on this project: traffic safety, environmental protection, and true affordability. Since the 1970's we've witnessed a massive increase in traffic on Route 48, as San Simeon expanded, Cliffside Condominiums were built, the ferry expanded its service,the tourist attractions grew to include vineyards and even a lavender farm, and Greenport became an increasingly popular destination. All the while, the road has remained a 50- mph highway. While we support the concept of affordable housing—we've seen the cost of housing skyrocket along with the traffic—we have several serious concerns we want to raise now, at this early stage, so you can make sure that they are addressed if this project goes forward. First, the traffic. This issue has two components; one is volume, and the negative quality of life that brings. As it is, turning left out of the driveway is impossible during season during much of the day. Even more important is safety. This is a high speed-50 mph—road. Deer are one hazard; there are multiple kills weekly; but so are left turns. Notably, San Simeon and Cliffside have left turning lanes, as does Chapel Lane. None is proposed with this project. And while we're not traffic engineers, the angle of the entrance to the proposed complex seems odd; wouldn't a 90 degree turn be easier to execute and have better sight lines? In order to really evaluate the traffic situation, you're going to need better data than the proponents have given you. They've submitted a car count from Route 48 just east of Youngs Ave. While at least it's Route 48 and was done during the summer, it's too far down the road to be relevant. And it was done in 2015; given the increasing tourism business out here, those numbers are likely outdated even at Young's Ave. Consider the unique environs of this project. Immediately to the west is the Sunset Motel, Cliffside Resort Condominiums, San Simeon by the Sound, Chapel Lane—which is a major cut through between Main Rd and the North Road—and just a little further down the road—a half mile—is the Sound View Inn. Just to the east is Eastern Long Island Campgrounds, a county park, and Moore's lane, a major gateway to Greenport. All of these places are themselves major sources of and destinations for cars, and they're all within a half mile. A traffic count at Youngs Ave is simply not comparable; it's not a good baseline. Next, the applicant is using trip count generating studies that also aren't comparable. True, there's not a lot of good data out there and the chosen category of"low rise multifamily residential" sounds superficially plausible. However, on closer examination, the data just aren't useful. First, more than half of the data in the report has the warning that the sample size is small-12 of the 20 studies. Even the study authors aren't sure what value that data have. Next, those studies were done in settings characterized as "general urban/suburban" or "dense multiuse urban". North Road in Southold Town certainly isn't "dense multiuse urban" and it doesn't feel like "general urban/suburban", whatever that means. Last, this housing is aimed at workers, which is a different resident pool than, say, a retirement community; one more like to spike traffic during rush hour. What kind of housing, in what kind of setting, generated these trip counts? It's also not clear that a"generated trip"has the same consequences here as it would elsewhere. The traffic trains created by loading and unloading Cross Sound Ferries is a pretty unique traffic feature, and in the summer, the ferries start before the morning rush hour and go long past the evening rush. The first ferry to load up in Orient leaves at 7 am so traffic starts flowing east before that. The first one from New London arrives in Orient at 8 am, starting the traffic west. The ferries don't stop departing Orient until at least 8 pm, and some nights are running as late as 9:45 pm. So the eastbound traffic issue runs through and long past normal work rush hours. The westbound traffic issue is worse; the ferries don't stop off loading until 9:30 pm at the earliest, 11:15 pm at the latest. Each newly generated trip to cross over and/or merge with the ferry traffic trains may have bigger knock-on impacts than a newly generated trip in a"general urban/suburban" or"dense multiuse urban" context. So please, insist on much better data: A current traffic study at, say, Chapel lane or Moore's lane and the North Road. Try to find a comparable workforce housing location out on the East End have the generated trips counted. Ask the Cross Sound Ferry for its volume numbers. Once you have the data and are considering solutions, remember that Cliffside has a left turning lane, San Simeon does, Chapel lane does, and the last iteration of the this project did too. Also consider working with the county to lower the speed limit; 50 mph is truly daunting. Consider asking the county to add rumble strips across the lanes to force people to respect the reduced speed limit. Be creative. Please, take the issue much more seriously than the applicant has. The applicant claims in the FEAF at D.2.j. that the project will not create a substantial increase in traffic above present levels. Based on what data? How is that conclusion plausible? The next issue we want to raise are environmental impacts. We recognize the project has many good features, such as the effort to use green storm water control, native plants and wetland buffers. However, the habitat and species studies need to be redone. Habitat is shifting. As the climate changes, some species are moving north, some species are becoming increasingly stressed. The situation is very dynamic. A real assessment of the species and habitat impacts requires fresh studies. Specifically, the FEAF at E2 m, n, o,p may be completely outdated. In addition, the applicant concedes that it will have to use pesticides and herbicides to maintain its property. Even assuming it is done sparingly and professionally, the surrounding lands are very ecologically sensitive. We urge you to look closely at what could be done to minimize the risks from blowing during application to migration from percolation and run off. We also want you to notice that the application isn't always internally consistent. For example, the FEAF at E2.d. claims the depth to groundwater is 15-20' on average. The bore hole logs don't support that, however. First, in many holes, they drilled to 10'. How do they know what is happening at 15-20'? Second, they hit water at 8' and 9.5' in several of their 10' boreholes. Finally, in the holes they went deep, they hit water as little as 6' down. So do they have to dewater when building? What are the consequences/how will that be handled?More important, how accurate are the applicant's characterizations of the site and its plans? Please, insist on a current look at environmental impacts, and closely scrutinize their data when you do. We're not making accusations or insisting things can't be done properly, but it's so important to get this right—please take the time to verify everything. Finally, we'd like to know: What is affordable?How much will the rents be?How will they be set?And,how can we be sure they will remain affordable in perpetuity? Thank you for your time and this opportunity to speak with you. Nelle and Jolyon Stern " ':,.9 PM FAX 16312985356 + MATTITUCH PRESBYTERIAN 0001/0001 'rt; ,1 r Ma fitu.ck Presb Church Rev_ Dr, John Carrick Tammy Cavanaugh Patrick Hanly Caren Heacock Pastor Clerk of session Pastoral Associate Pastoral Care Associate May 3, 2018 A M� Ay 0 40 i fi C WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: �Kr���''�r�k' ! �xn� n icing iii response to the discussion on the proposed building of Vineyard View work force )Using: I am intentionally writing on church letterhead, not because my response is to be vred as the voice of this church. Rather, in my position as Pastoral Care Assistant, I work day ;,a rrd day out with people in need. There is a desperate shortage of work force housing; d IA,iy a re- a0 mowledges this. I receive several phone calls; or visits to my office, a week from 1i'60ple warthig to rent an apartment and asking for ray,help in finding them something they can afford. Affordable rentals are simply non existent on the North fork. Housing needs to be established that will maintain the integrity of our beautiful environment, while supporting our beautiful citizens who work and serve locally. We are an intelligent bunch of people; I'm sure if we put our minds and wills together, we can niiaka this work. The units need to stay affordable in perpetuity; the environment needs to be thoughtfully cared for; and enrollment in our schools needs to be monitored so that we don't harte large buildings and numerous stal:f with few students to teach, as I understand school enrollment is down. We also don't want our Town's thriving businesses unable to hire employees because there is no where that they might live. T don't pretend to be an expert on this issue. I am only sharing from my heart the desperate pleas I receive, and there is little I can suggest in order to address the lack of manageable housing for these people. I don't seven like to use the words: "these people". We are all "these people"; we ail rived a safe; affordable place to call home. Every one of us. Respectfully submitted, Caren Heacock 12605 Main Road t P.O Box 1411 ♦ Mattituck, New York 11952 + 631.298.4145 + Fax:631.298.5356 + mattpres@optonline.net + Www.mattpres.com �r 8C 1 71WOng N3oa d May 3, 2018 Town of Southold Planning Board Via email Re:Affordable workforce housing Distinguished Members, Peconic Landing is among the largest employers on the North Fork. Our staff of over 200 professionals, para-professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workers provides essential services to the more than 400 Southold Town residents who call Peconic Landing home. The hard reality that many within our dedicated workforce cannot find housing of their own is of critical importance to us.The lack of availability of rental housing is only exacerbated by the rental costs that are prohibitively high to middle income workers. It is for these reasons that Peconic Landing heartily endorses the Town's efforts to encourage the development of workforce housing opportunities. As we understand it,the project known as Vineyard View would provide 50 one-,two-and three-bedroom apartments and would be offered at affordable rental rates. Situated on the North Road just outside of Greenport Village,Vineyard Views would be in close proximity to Peconic Landing and holds the potential for providing residential apartments for some members of our workforce. Please accept this letter as our support of the Town's dedication to expanding affordable housing/workforce housing opportunities within the Town of Southold and particularly, at this time,the Vineyard View project. We appreciate the benefits this project will bring to the greater community, and most importantly, to the workforce who serves our community. Sincerely, Robert J. Syron President/CEO Michaelis, Jessica From: Lanza, Heather Sent: Monday, April 30, 2018 2:04 PM To: Don Wilcenski (don@briarclifflandscape.com); Donald Wilcenski; Fishers Island Museum (fimuseum@fishersisland.net);James Rich (JamesRich3@optonline.net); Martin Sidor(E- mail); Pierce Rafferty (prafferty@fishersisland.net) Cc: Terry, Mark; Michaelis,Jessica SL,6� Subject: FW:Work Force Housing Project jTg, MFr, 3c— For CFor the record for Vineyard View preliminary hearing. From Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2018 2:11 PM To: Lanza, Heatherer<I�:tti j� is "I!R Subject:Work Force Housing Project Ms. Lanza, will not be able to attend the Public Comment on this project so I am emailing you. I have been an advocate for affordable work force housing for years. I myself stood on line for 12 hours for a lot in High Point Meadows in the late 1980's. I think this is a great project and a good start towards addressing the housing issues we face here. But make no mistake, it's not enough and I hope we will see more. Hopefully with the changes in code more residents will choose to build accessory apartments. We have already lost many young people because of housing. One of my children who has worked locally for over 10 years is still looking for affordable housing. To me the best part of this proposed project is the spotlight it puts on the housing issues we face here. Sincerely, Cheryle Amara PO Box 145 3225 Youngs Avenue Southold i Lanza, Heather 9 From: ��� Trustee Douglas Roberts <droberts@greenportvillage.org> Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2018 5:43 PM To: Lanza, Heather .a., .. .., �,... Cc: Noncarrow, Denis; George Hubbard; Mary Bess Phillips;Julia Robins;Jack Martilotta Subject: j Support for Vineyard View Dear Ms. Lanza - L I am writing to the members of the town planning board,via you,and request that this letter be read into the record at the May 7 hearing on the Vineyard View Project. Dear Chariman Wilcenski and Esteemed Planning Board Members- I am writing in strong support for the proposed Vineyard View project in unincorporated Greenport. As part of my campaign for Village Trustee, I literally knocked on every door in the Village of Greenport. One learns a lot about the needs of a community by walking every block of it. I was told consistently during my campaign that we need more housing,that we're losing our young people because they can't afford to live here. Since being elected, I've had several meetings with the CEOs of local businesses providing the lion's share of jobs in town, all of whom implored me to find a solution that will allow more of their employees to live here instead of having to commute from up the island. They tell me of a new North Fork Trade Parade in which our hospital, retirement home, and working waterfront workers commute back and forth to places like Riverhead, Ridge, Manorville,etc., because there is both greater rental housing inventory and lower rents in those communities. Rental housing is critical to any community that seeks to maintain its character and identity, allowing young people to start a life and the elderly to age in place. According to the Regional Plan Association study commissioned by St.Joseph's College in 2014, 53%of renters in the Village of Greenport have to spend over 30%of their take-home income on housing, compared with 35% of homeowners who must spend that much.This study was completed before AirBNB exploded on the scene which has since taken many rental units off the market.Anecdotal information from my own colleagues, employees,and friends in town indicates that rents have only gone up, and inventory has gone down. It's fairly common knowledge that it's impossible to find a rental in Greenport,and several local people have moved west in Southold Town or further to find a place to live.Anybody who doesn't believe this rental housing crisis to be real could easily spend a couple of hours reviewing the classifieds of The Suffolk Times from today and 5 years ago. There used to be several ads for apartments and homes for rent, and now there are precious few. As a Village Trustee I have been an outspoken advocate for any policies that will incent the addition of rental housing units for year-round residents. A common critique of my efforts to increase the supply of rental housing has been that our Village is "built out,"that we simply don't have the buildable lots in our 1 square-mile village to make a significant dent in the rental housing market. Many times at our Village Board meetings,citizens have commented something to the effect of"Greenport's doing our part, it's time for Southold to step up since they have more land to work with." So Southold has stepped up.The Supervisor,Town Board, and the staff supporting them have put together a great partnership that will allow for 50 workforce units to be built just outside of our Village.These units will house nurses,teachers,teachers' aides, dock-builders, baymen, restaurant workers,shipwrights, local families and older folks seeking to downsize. This housing will serve as a lifeline to the local economy to keep us from crumbling under the rush of interest from second homeowners and tourists. My only request would be that the Planning Board provide a conditional approval ensuring the units are rented for a fair price to locals for many years to come, and that the units can't be resold to the highest bidder. The development plan is sensitive to the environmental issues at the site, and I see no issues with having housing for locals situated next to the Moore's Woods park. Living next to a park improves quality of life for all involved! At a recent Village Board meeting, I requested that we vote on a resolution of support for this project,though our Mayor suggested, more or less,that we've already provided our support in the form of an offer to connect the homes to our utilities, including the sanitary sewer,which will eliminate any impacts on water quality. If you read the minutes of the meeting,you'll hear strong support from the entire Village Board for this project even though we decided not to offer a formal resolution as such. Renters in Greenport today spend almost 20% more on housing than do homeowners, making it harder for them to make the leap to home ownership.This a supply and demand problem, and this project is a jolt to the supply side of that equation. For the benefit of the entire region,for the good of my community in Greenport, I urge you all to approve this project! Let's help locals remain locall Thank you. -Doug Roberts 6th Street Greenport Village Trustee 1-631-477-6662 Office 1-917-887-2793 Mobile Twitter: @dougedsolutions Skype:dougedsolutions BOOK A MEETING live on my calendar here: dougesc 2