Letter Campaign Urges Open Review Of Major Development Proposals In Sag Harbor - 27 East

Sag Harbor Express

Letter Campaign Urges Open Review Of Major Development Proposals In Sag Harbor

icon 1 Photo

authorStephen J. Kotz on Aug 3, 2022

Four members of the Sag Harbor community are circulating a letter requesting that the Village Board take a transparent and comprehensive approach in the face of two, and possibly three, major development proposals that are coming down the pike and have the potential to permanently alter the character of the village.

The letter, under the name Concerned Members of Our Community, is being circulated by the artist April Gornik, civic activist Susan Mead, architect Maziar Behrooz and Kathryn Levy, a writer. The letter, which was circulated by Gornik by email Tuesday morning, had 81 signatures by 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.

It cites the recently unveiled plans of Adam Potter to construct 79 affordable apartments and approximately 30,000 square feet of commercial space on a 1.4-acre parcel between Bridge and Rose streets as well as the expected submission of plans for a new Bay Street Theater on the site of the Water Street Shoppes complex.

The letter also cites speculation that a “tiered parking garage” would be constructed on the former National Grid gas ball lot. Last year, 11 Bridge Street LLC, one of Potter’s real estate ventures, won a lease for that parcel, but this week Mayor Jim Larocca announced that Potter had agreed to give up that lease so that the village could negotiate its own deal with National Grid.

Along with holding a transparent review of the applications, Gornik said the letter sponsors would like to see the village hold one or more public forums, similar to one that was held to address the Bay Street proposal in the spring of 2021, to give the community an opportunity to weigh in. “Many people who love this village have no idea what’s being proposed,” she said.

The letter writers are also urging the Village Board to review the development proposals together, so that their combined impact can be better gauged in the required environmental review.

“We understand that each of these projects in this vulnerable area requires review from the village boards and other regulatory agencies,” the letter stated, “but it is important that these building projects and their attendant challenges can be taken into consideration as a whole.”

“We respectfully ask our hardworking mayor and board of trustees to invite the participation of citizens, local organizations and unaffiliated experts to establish a transparent, public process in addition to the required regulatory reviews,” the letter concluded. “Noticed public meetings of this kind will provide an opportunity for input that results in the best possible outcome.”

The letter can be found online at: openletter.earth/an-open-letter-from-concerned-members-of-our-community-cf499d89.

You May Also Like:

Sag Harbor Village Police Reports for the Week of July 17

SAG HARBOR VILLAGE — Police were called Friday night after what was described as an “altercation” between a male couple and a group of juveniles, one of whom is said to have called the couple a homophobic slur. One of the men held the youth until police arrived. The youth’s parents were contacted, and the mother came to pick up her son, who apologized to the couple before they left. The male who held the youth was “advised that in the future, he should contact police immediately rather than attempt to handle the situation himself.” SAG HARBOR VILLAGE — A ... 16 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

Town Hosts Its Annual Mike Diveris Battle of Southampton Lifeguard Tournament

This year’s annual Mike Diveris Memorial “Battle of Southampton” Lifeguard Tournament on July 8 at ... by Drew Budd

New Traditions, Same Spirit: Sag Harbor Cup Raises Over $50,000 for Junior Sailing Scholarships

The 43rd annual Sag Harbor Cup, hosted by the Breakwater Sailing Center & Yacht Club, ... by Michael Mella

Dun Done

The iconic “Jaws” poster by artist Roger Kastel was not based on a great white shark, but rather a shortfin mako head that Kastel studied at the American Museum of Natural History, where the specimen remains today. Looking back on the artistic choice 50 years after the film first thrashed into theaters, it’s hard to second-guess it. The image is chilling, menacing and easily the most instantly recognizable film poster in cinema history. But the poster, depicting a larger-than-life shark lunging upward, toothy mouth open, toward a woman doing the freestyle stroke, is also one of the ways that “Jaws” ... by Editorial Board

Sag Harbor Native Darlene Rozzi Publishes Debut Novel Inspired by Life in South Korea

Sag Harbor native Darlene Rozzi, who currently lives outside Seoul, South Korea, was recently back ... by Stephen J. Kotz

Sag Harbor Rolls Out Employee Parking Passes, but Not Everyone Is Happy

Two days before the Fourth of July, Jesse Matsuoka and Kevin Menard, who are both ... by Stephen J. Kotz

Hamptons Youth Triathlon Sees Over 160 Finishers for Second Year in a Row

For the second year in a row, over 160 youth triathletes crossed the finish line ... 15 Jul 2025 by Drew Budd

HBCL All-Stars Defeat the ACBL All-Stars; Southampton's Quintano Named MVP

The Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League All-Stars held on to an 8-5 victory over the Atlantic ... by Drew Budd

Fluke and Bluefins Keeping Rods Bent

There’s plenty of good fishing to be had around the South Fork as we get ... by MIKE WRIGHT

If the Shoe Fits, Should I Buy It for Pickleball?

Pickleball shoes have hit the market, big time, this summer. On the East End, we’re ... by Vinny Mangano