Dan's Papers - August 22, 2008

The Town of Southampton is not standing still, even in these difficult times. Despite a significant drop in Community Preservation Funds from an all-time high in 2007 of over $53.53 million, to around $21.8 million to date in 2008, Southampton CPF purchases under Mary Wilson's watchful eye are still very active. In fact, the town recently used just less than $4 million of CPF funds to purchase 40 acres from James F. Baird and John F. Baird. The property is located on Red Creek Road and Old Squires Road, and designated in the Paumanok Path Trail area of the town. This action was lauded by many in the immediate area

However, in Quiogue, where residents of Southampton Village are requesting Southampton Town CPF money to acquire the 49 acres that include the Oakland Farms subdivision, the story's not quite the same. The Oakland Farms subdivision proposal received preliminary approval from the Town Planning Board more than two years ago. Once that approval was obtained, there was not much that the village could do to stop the development. However, Wilson is on record as saying that until it's developed, the land can always be purchased. She reportedly explained that town officials had "looked into buying the property" from 2003 until 2006. "We could still buy it," she said. Westhampton Beach Village Attorney Bo Bishop added, "The town should preserve this property, but it's not in the village, so we don't have a lot of control over it."

The current development plan calls for a proposed 33-lot subdivision that could be built just outside the village, in Quiogue. Concerned citizens worry that traffic would become intolerable and that water issues will negatively impact the community. One resident, who lives near the proposed subdivision on Adam Lane, said that the construction of 33 new homes in that area will hurt the quality of water in Aspatuck Creek and Quantuck Bay.

Other residents also believe the town is not sensitive enough to this issue. Given the struggling housing market, revisiting the issue of Southampton Town acquiring the property with CPF money might seem like a good idea for all involved - including the developer. However, many developers have long-term vision, and when the financing is in place, developing is what they do. They have long histories of buying cement, cinderblocks, lumber and so forth, and have built relationships with their suppliers. They almost feel an obligation to continue building to support the businesses that helped them become successful. Although they can make a profit selling to the CPF with little risk, it is in their spirit to take risks to make even more profits - in this case, millions of dollars.

The concerns of neighbors are almost always centered around how changes will affect their pocketbooks, meaning the value of their homes. If the land comes under the control of the CPF it might be assumed the property values of the nearby homes will stabilize, if not increase. Mark Raynor, a former village trustee, said, "We're hoping that the town pursues and purchases it and uses it as open space." Perhaps the idea is to recreate the strategy of the Baird property, which runs through the Paumanok Path, connecting some 10,000 acres of wonderful open space. Some believe that the Paumanok Path hiking trail project is of regional importance because it will eventually extend 125 miles from Rocky Point to Montauk Point.

The dwindling Community Preservation Fund is being used wisely, and the concerned opposition to the Oakland Farms subdivision would like to see Wilson and the Southampton Town CPF strike again. For now the fate of the 33 Oakland Farms acres is hanging in the balance. Will it be 33 new homes built on one acre each, or will the property remain open space?