East Hampton Adopts Hamlet Studies After Years Of Public Input

EAST HAMPTON, NY — East Hampton's business district hamlet studies are now officially part of the town's comprehensive plans.

The town board took the final vote recently to adopt the plans after the Suffolk County Planning Commission gave its approval.

The individualized hamlet plans, developed over a multi-year public process, will guide the futures of town town's business districts in Wainscott, East Hampton, Springs, Amagansett, and Montauk, town officials said in a release.

The hamlet studies address ways to shape future hamlet center development to "create dynamic, walkable hamlet centers, while preserving open space, natural resources, and the unique character of each hamlet," town officials said.

The hamlet studies were born after the town’s comprehensive plan called for an evaluation of the town’s ability and desire to meet future commercial needs, and for the development of detailed plans for commercial areas.

Hamlet and business studies for each area were conducted by consultants Dodson & Flinker; Lisa Liquori, a former town planning director, of Fine Arts & Sciences; RKG Associates, and McLean Associates, town officials said.

To shape the finalized hamlet studies, public input was garnered at a number of charettes, workshops, and meetings; draft plans were finalized beginning in mid-2019, town officials said.

"Community response and comments shaped these plans and I am proud that East Hampton has, once again, been in the forefront of thoughtful planning and protection of our quaint hamlets,” said East Hampton Town Councilwoman Sylvia Overby, who oversaw the hamlet study and planning process.

Adoption of the hamlet and business studies into East Hampton’s comprehensive plan will help protect "the unique character of our hamlets and our quality of life,” said East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc, who initiated the first study as town board liaison at the request of the Wainscott Citizens Advisory Committee.

Former Supervisor Larry Cantwell, after he was elected, expanded the effort to all five hamlets.

The final hamlet studies are posted on the East Hampton town website here.