Dan's Papers - September 21, 2007

Sag Harbor's fight against big box businesses has even made its way to the pages of last week's New York Magazine. But despite Sag Harbor's positive press and strong coalition as it fights the good fight, much is still up in the air and unknown about the details of the town's future.

The development of the proposed 17,000 square foot CVS in the Water Street Shopping Complex is currently frozen by the town's moratorium on commercial site plan reviews, which has barred big box stores from beginning construction in Sag Harbor until further notice. Behind closed doors at last Tuesday's Sag Harbor Village Board meeting, seven different resolutions were presented to the board with several organizations and activists urging Mayor Gregory Ferraris and the board trustees to extend that moratorium, giving them time to create a comprehensive plan for maintaining the village's historic character and retail facade. Revisions to the town's zoning laws are expected to include limitations on the square footage, use and appearance of Sag Harbor's stores, all of which could hinder the creation of the proposed CVS as well as other possible pending retail outlets. One possible positive outcome for Sag Harbor's activists is the creation of new zoning laws by the town's government. Because national big box stores often have an inflexible prototype for the store's size and facade, the CVS could have to find a new home should zoning laws restrict its plans.

However, because CVS' application has already been submitted, they could take legal action should their plans be suddenly stopped in its tracks. Current zoning laws do not post restrictions on Sag Harbor's store size or facade.

Another battle that those advocating for Sag Harbor to stay as is are fighting is one with Manhattan landlord developer Donald Zucker. In Sag Harbor, Zucker currently owns three storefronts on Main Street and another on Bay Street, as well as the Bridgehampton National Bank building and the Corcoran mansion (Zucker is also the owner of the East Hampton Cinema as well as a strip of neighboring stores). Many town residents and store tenants fear that Zucker will increase the rents and drive out the independently owned businesses. However, Zucker's publicity team insist that the developer has owned property on the East End for years and isn't interested in changing the character of the area.

The fight continues on September 27 at 6:30 p.m. when Sag Harbor Village hosts an open meeting to update the community about the code revision process. Attendance at the meeting is expected to be large enough to move it to the Sag Harbor Fire House on Brick Kiln Road as opposed to the usual meeting spot at the Municipal Building on Main Street. Additionally, a Save Sag Harbor benefit is planned for Sunday, October 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. at a private residence in North Haven. But despite the activism occurring, for the time being, the village's future is still in the hands of its local government.