Local Resident Expresses Concerns About Rehabilitation Plan in Hampton Bays

Photo: Google Maps

Recently, developers have proposed a plan to rehabilitate the Canoe Place Inn and build luxury townhomes on the east side of the Shinnecock Canal in Hampton Bays.

Several residents have expressed concerns with this plan, including Shinnecock Hills resident, Dale Nicholl, who wrote a letter expressing her opinion on the subject.

Letter from Dale Nicholl:

We are about to lose the east side of the Shinnecock Canal, a NYS Historic Landmark, to a private community of 37 Town houses, on 4.3 buildable acres. The Master Plan for an idyllic waterway promenade with restaurants, stores, water sports and a maritime museum for all to enjoy will never be implemented. Pp15-16 Hampton Bays Corridor Strategic Plan. The CPI MPDD calls for rezoning the east side of the canal from maritime/recreational use to residential.

Joining 3 non-adjacent properties into a single zone for the purpose of trading units (hotel rooms for town houses) is unprecedented and dangerous to maintaining the bucolic feel of the Hamptons. How can anyone claim a hotel room is the equivalent of a 3-bedroom house?

Proponents cite tax revenues to Hampton Bays of 4 times what is currently produced. However, any new development will raise tax income. The projected tax revenue is less than $9/month/HB household. Proponents claim town houses would bring jobs and an economic boom. However: Any development would bring jobs. Following The Master Plan would bring tourists providing even more of an economic boom.

Proponents rallied around “Save the CPI”. This could be done under current zoning. The developers claim, they need the town house revenue to offset the CPI project. Yet, they are only investing $101/square foot in the CPI. Most blogs indicate basic renovations cost $115-$175/square foot.

What can you do? Speak up at the last two Town Meetings before the vote: 12/9, 6pm and 12/18, 11am, Southampton Town Hall. Ask the town clerk to forward your opinion to the council members, sschermeyer@southamptontownny.gov . Your email can be as simple as, “Please vote no to the CPI MPDD zoning changes”, sign it with your name and town.

Dale Nicholl, Resident, Shinnecock Hills