Christmas Tree Farms Possibly Out of Compliance, Investigations Underway: Town Attorney

SOUTHOLD, NY — Southold Town is cracking down on Christmas tree farms they say are "working outside the scope of approvals," according to Town Attorney Bill Duffy.

Duffy told Patch that the town is "still investigating complaints", from individuals referencing specific websites, about tree farms that allegedly have "farmers' markets" and other activities. Those farms, he said, "don't have site plan approval for some of the things going on there. Some don't have any site plan approval," he said.

Code enforcement has been sent out to investigate the tree farms, he said.

The town attorney said while he is "reluctant to get into specifics" because he "hasn't confirmed anything", the town has received complaints of some "Christmas tree farms operating in excess of, or without, a site plan."

Duffy would not name any specific tree farms or list the uses the town was investigating.

As for what would happen to those farms that may be operating without a site plan for expanded uses, Duffy said, "I can't say. Once we determine the extent of the violations we can determine the course of action."