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Photos by Vera Chinese
Three Southampton Town Housing Authority officials walked out of Tuesday night’s East Quogue Civic Association meeting in frustration after facing overwhelming opposition to their plan to build a pair of affordable rental homes in the hamlet.
“This is going to endanger the neighborhood,” said East Quogue Civic Association President Al Algieri during the nearly two-hour meeting that attracted approximately 50 people to the East Quogue Elementary School.
He was referring to a plan presented by the town to build two renter-occupied affordable homes on a 1-acre lot located off Jones Road. Suffolk County gave the town the land several years ago, stipulating that it must be used for the construction of affordable homes.
Louise Stalzer, the chairwoman of the Southampton Town Housing Authority, said Tuesday that she initially thought that the project, which she and other officials had spent a lot of time and effort on, would work in the hamlet.
“We really feel we can manage it well,” she said before exiting the meeting about 20 minutes early.
Bonnie Cannon, the volunteer chairwoman of the town’s Housing Authority Board, also appeared flustered by the vocal opposition of residents.
“I am not happy, because people have worked very hard,” Ms. Cannon said just prior to exiting the meeting. “We’ve gone with the direction we were given by the Town Board.”
The proposal, which calls for the construction of two rental houses, each with an accessory rental apartment, was originally scheduled to go before the Southampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday, October 1. After Tuesday’s meeting, housing authority members decided to postpone the presentation of the application to allow further discussion.
The property was originally seized by Suffolk County due to non-payment of taxes before being deeded to the town in 2003. The Southampton Town Planning Board had already approved plans to subdivide the land into two half-acre lots, and build a 1,500-square-foot rental home on each property. The affordable housing project also requires a variance from the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals to build the two 700-square-foot accessory apartments.
Many of those in attendance Tuesday night said they were against the proposal, adding that they would rather see the town build owner-occupied affordable homes in that section of East Quogue. Many said they were not against affordable housing per se; rather, they said that rental housing does not work when it is built on scattered sites. Some said such construction might work better in downtown areas, namely in apartments that are attached to or built above commercial buildings.
Those who spoke cited fears that renters would not be as invested in maintaining the homes, while others argued that the town would have little oversight over its tenants.
“We have more than our share of rental properties,” said Brad Bender, the president of the Flanders, Riverside and Northampton Community Association. “I don’t believe that the town should be in the business of renting houses.”
Mr. Bender, who lives in Flanders, also opposes the town’s plans to build about a dozen rental homes, also slated for affordable housing, in his hometown.
Another complaint expressed at Tuesday’s meeting was that the collective interests of certain communities, namely Flanders and East Quogue, were not adequately represented in town government.
“I would like to see communities west of the canal added,” said East Quogue resident Bob Kandell.
Of those in attendance Tuesday night, about a half dozen said they were particularly concerned about the project because they live on Jones Road.
“In my view, it’s unlike anything in the neighborhood,” said Jones Road resident Kurt Heino.
Mr. Algieri argued that the proposal was never opened for discussion, even though it has already been signed off by the Planning Board. Ms. Stalzer said that was an inaccurate statement, noting that three public hearings were held on the proposal and her department had gone through all of the appropriate channels.
Ms. Stalzer, Ms. Cannon and Housing Authority Development Committee Chairman Vince Taldone repeatedly defended their actions and explained that they had been working within the parameters that they were given by the Town Board. Ms. Cannon’s and Mr. Taldone’s positions are volunteer, while Ms. Stalzer is a paid town employee.
On Tuesday, Ms. Stalzer said the town has the tools necessary to manage tenants of rental homes and apartments. “We really do have a lot of ways we can manage that apartment,” she said.
Town Board member Anna Throne-Holst, who is running for town supervisor, defended the housing authority employees, explaining that they were all hard-working individuals who believe that they were doing what is best for the community.
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Time will tell.
PBR
Total comments by PBR: 193
Here it is 2009. Little discussion about affordable housing (owner occupied or rental) has taken place, except during election season. The citizens need to have a discussion about affordable housing and be able to provide ideas.
The ... more underhanded way the planning and zoning boards tried to sneak this through without local input does not provide the citizens with confidence in the town's policy making.
There is little doubt that the hard working volunteers on the Housing Authority, are trying to do a good job, but let's hear from the town board first with some direction.
Total comments by Bob Whyte: 48
Total comments by eastquogueguy: 21
Total comments by JimmyKBond: 111
Total comments by kheino: 1
Bob Whyte, please explain how the Town ZBA has anything to do with this.
Total comments by Frank Wheeler: 506
Ms. Holst is right - we have single mothers, fathers, and newlyweds who cannot afford to buy and need alternatives. The town trustees must not give in to ignorance and fear, but fight for working people and quality of life issues.
Contrary to what some may believe, study after study has shown that affordable housing does NOT devalue neighboring homes. Studies by Habitat for Humanity have shown that the location of affordable housing has no significant impact on the conditions which determine property values. This includes rentals. (read more here http://hfhi.org/how/propertyvalues.aspx)
Suffolk county gave the town the land with the stipulation that it be used for affordable housing and rentals are a perfectly suitable solution. What has happened to the American spirit of helping those less fortunate than ourselves? Of doing a kindness for a neighbor? None of us is more than one step away from needing the help of others.
Total comments by dagdavid: 192
This didn't help Bridgehampton at all and only increased its density, traffic, and demand for services, both public and private. Real affordable housing would assist people who already live here and struggle to survive.
The ZBA is necessary because the town has ... more an economically exclusionary minimum construction size of 1200 square feet for a single family dwelling.
Total comments by Noah Way: 200
Total comments by fcmcmann: 137
Total comments by Noah Way: 200
Total comments by peoplefirst: 289
Decent, hardworking people are having a rough time finding safe housing they can afford on their paychecks. They are forced to jump from house to house each year as the affordable ones always seem to have problems such as poor insulation and leaky windows that cause sky high heating bills.
I ... more know of single parent households which have cut every expense to the bone and gone into debt because of those killer heating bills. People with full time jobs they have held for years are being forced to downsize the places they rent because they can not afford the ever rising cost of a modest sized 2 or 3 bedrooms plus utilities. They are moving into small cottages and studios that have been converted from garages, rental units are not even legal and possibly not safe, for there is no other choice. I see it all the time.
If the town can provide some affordable rental housing for honest, employed folks earning between $20,000 and $50,000 I am all for it. However, it should not, in good conscience, charge $1500 a month for a one bedroom apartment which is the price for the town's "affordable" apartments in Atrium in Water Mill. Even with utilities included, that adds up to $18,000 a year - which frankly, is not affordable for people on moderate incomes. Rent should be no more than 30% of a person's income, so $18,000 would be fine for a household making $90,000 ... which is not moderate in my books.
Total comments by goldenrod: 57
Total comments by William Rodney: 65
When I voted for the town board I NEVER Voted for them or anyone associtated with the town to become LANDLORDS!
They can cry all they want on how "hard they worked"...but, the fact remains...they ... more are working to do something that the citizens ask of them for THEIR COMMUNITIES!!!! NOT TO MAKE ANNA T.HOLST AND THE REST TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES!!! (the people of southampton town have stated time and time not this kind of affordable housing in their communities!!! )
Total comments by UNITED states CITIZEN: 109
Total comments by fcmcmann: 137
Total comments by North Sea Citizen: 86
Total comments by yearrounder: 148
Affordable housing is needed for volunteer firefighters, our public safety workers and most of the folks who are taking care of your yard, shoveling your snow, cleaning your streets. It's time we understood ... more that ...
Total comments by JimmyKBond: 111
Total comments by kheino: 1
It's not fair that young people around my age who work ... more hard and want to stay living in their hometowns can't because it is so expensive!! The people involved need to realize that if you push us out now, many of us may not come back. In 20 years when everyone in this town is old and retiring, and there are no new businesses opening, becuase there are no young families, its going to become a retirement community.
The younger residents that grea up here and went through the school systems deserve a fair chance and reasonable way to afford staying here!
Total comments by Jessica713: 6
So what caring residents need to do is go to Town Board meetings, write the trustees and speak up as eloquently as you have done here. Don't let the ignorant win simply because they can yell louder.
Total comments by dagdavid: 192
Total comments by North of Highway: 174
there are 8 units that were purchsed, only 4 have rental apartments attached (total of 12 units). to rent the units, the town has to approve and you must be a resident fo the town.
why do you think this has put a burden on the area? the school is begging for kids to fill empty seats and the residents keep an eye on this high drug/crime area. the people who live there have not contributed to the crime and they take care of their properties. what is your problem with that? perhaps you are envious that you didnt apply for one of the houses...?
Total comments by tuffy: 4
Once again, the infrastructure issues I raised are ignored. As is the issue of people in BH who could really use the help but for one reason or another did not qualify.
Total comments by Noah Way: 200
Demand for Public Services (Police, Fire, Schools): These services are paid for by property taxes, and the Town receives property taxes for the properties on which the rental units sit. So these renters are just as entitled to these services as you or anyone else.
Increased Traffic: The REAL overcrowding issue is not year-round residents like the low-income renters; instead, it's the summer residents who overwhelm the area ... more in the summer by their presence, and who indirectly lead to traffic issues year-round thanks to the army of servicepeople required to construct and maintain their properties. Don't blame year-round low-income renters for traffic issues - after all, if these properties were owner-occupied instead of rented, you'd still have the same increase in traffic.
Increased Population Density: This is a zoning issue. Density has nothing whatsoever to do with whether a property is a rental or is owner-occupied. If zoning in this area allows a residential property to be build on a half-acre, then regardless of whether the residence is rented or owner-occupied, you've got the same density issue. Density issues are zoning issues, and have nothing to do with whether a property is owner-occupied or rented - complain to the ZBA.
As for why rental units may have gone to renters from outside of Bridgehampton, I have no idea how that decision was made, but I have no problem with it. You do, and you should investigate to find out why the decision was made, who made it, and how you can prevent it from being made again. Also, did you oppose it when it happened? Were you involved in the process? It's like voting - if you didn't get involved at the time, it's too late to complain now.
Total comments by CoweeDewey: 22
Total comments by peoplefirst: 289
This is not about who is entitled to public services, who is to blame for traffic or the difference between rental and owner-occupied housing. It is about the simple truth: we are already overcrowded, and adding population will not help our infrastructure problems, it will ... more only make them worse.
Just wait until we need a municipal sewer system. Real infrastructure problems are being ignored because they mean more money spent on development and more taxes for your ever-so-humble elected officials to play with.
Implying that I have no right to comment because I wasn’t involved in the process is inane because you have no knowledge of my voting or participation in town board hearings on these very issues.
A good rule of thumb when you know nothing is to say nothing. You also might give a thought to doing it in a less condescending manner. And next time you could at least try to address the issue raised.
Total comments by Noah Way: 200
Total comments by foxnfowl: 17
Total comments by peoplefirst: 289
Total comments by number19: 56
Total comments by rabbit: 31
Total comments by kheino: 1
Total comments by darwin: 37
Total comments by Blue Sky: 31
You said the affordable house issue is not about Throne-Holst, but she was the one who brought herself into the mix when she said "she is renter and cannot afford to buy a house in SH Town.
As foxnfowl pointed out ATH cannot relate to low income people not when she rents a house on the beach east of the canal and has almost a quarter million dollars in the bank.
ATH wants affordable housing but not in her backyard.
Total comments by golfbuddy: 180
I have read a number of your comments and the fact is that you will use any topic as a way to attack Democrats. It is just a distraction from real issues facing every day people.
Total comments by peoplefirst: 289
Total comments by North Sea Citizen: 86
Many people try to make this about "working hard". As if people who qualify for affordable housing are just lazy. This anti-government sentiment running through this country and this county ... more is completely out of control. There is room for government to do good without all of this nonsensical "government take over hysteria". You know why millions of people were able to buy homes in the 1950's? It was called the GI bill - the government helped them.
Total comments by peoplefirst: 289
Saving to buy something ... more is out of the question as most get by paycheck to paycheck, plus the price to buy even the cheapest house is beyond the average person out here nowadays. They do need places they can afford that are decent, safe and warm. Not like the cute looking from the outside, but awful, 2 bedroom cottage I helped one move out of recently. It had obvious mold issues, thermopane windows that were so cheap and poorly installed that snow would blow inside along the edges of some of them, soot marks around the hot air vents and painfully high gas bills because it was not well insulated. It had no carbon monoxide detector and the smoke alarm wired high on the wall would go off randomly. I doubt it met code, but no one ever inspected it in all the years the family lived there. Plus, the kitchen cabinets were literally falling apart.
Basically, it was a dump for $1000 a month and not unlike others in its price range. But, when someone's only earning $20 - $30, or even $40,000 a year, $12,000 a year is all they can afford, if they are also to pay for basic utilities, food and clothing for a family - forget frills like doctors bills, car payments, car repairs, etc. Actually that amount is far more than is advised to spend on rent for such incomes. Accepted guidelines advise that housing costs should be no more than 30% of a person's income, which means that $1000 a month would be affordable for someone earning $48,000 a year. Which is well beyond most local businesses ability to pay all of their workers.
As a community, we can not afford to let working people like these move away due to lack of affordable housing. Aside from tearing up extended families and losing potential volunteers, if they are forced out, who will do their jobs? Do we really want local businesses to have to bus in workers just as some of the supermarkets have had to do?
Since the town already has suitable land in Flanders, it should be used to put up apartments. If and when the town gets land east of the canal, apartments should go there as well. If the town owns a property, it will maintain it, unlike many landlords. Arguments against town owned affordable housing units are shortsighted and always made by those who already have housing themselves. Chances are, most of them could not afford to buy what they own now, if the tables were turned and they needed housing. They were lucky when they were able to buy. Now, it's time to help a few others get lucky, even if is only with a clean, energy efficient new rental at an affordable rate.
Total comments by goldenrod: 57
Total comments by dagdavid: 192
All it has done is drive up the cost of rental properties and has established an artificial floor. Once you do that there will be either suitable good rentals around at affordable prices or lower priced housing stock for sale. Section 8 is a landlord subsidy, not so much a renters subsidy.
Total comments by North of Highway: 174
Total comments by AlwaysLocal: 110
The average, blue collar hard working family can't afford to buy a house out here, no way. Even an average 2 bedroom rental is 2,500 a month. Just because you can't afford to shell out 650 thousand and more on a home doesn't mean you some poor dirt trash who will deplete the value of any neighborhood you move into. East Quogue Civic Association ... more needs to get off their high horses and get a grip.
Total comments by RubyBaby: 18
Total comments by kheino: 1
Total comments by UNITED states CITIZEN: 109
Total comments by peoplefirst: 289
Total comments by fcmcmann: 137
If the subsidized amounts were reduced from their current levels to more reasonable levels two things would happen; 1. rents for non-section 8 renters would also drop and 2, with less profitability some landlords would sell rather than rent, thereby adding to the affordable housing stock. There are properties around for less than $300,000, even less than that in today's market. That stock would see an increase if the subsidy rate was cut.
Total comments by North of Highway: 174
Total comments by MaryMac: 36
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