Letters

It was only after much deliberation that Save Sag Harbor filed a legal petition, with other concerned citizens, against the village over Local Laws 11 and 12. We knew that, in challenging a law touted by the mayor and a deep-pocketed developer that claimed the mantle of affordable housing, we would be accused of “self-serving NIMBYism,” to quote one critic on this page [“Not Saving Sag Harbor,” Letters, April 20].

But we concluded that those laws posed a genuine threat to our historic Main Street business district, which our organization has fought to protect since 2008. Legal action was the only way to undo a zoning change that could lead to drastic changes in the heart of Sag Harbor. With the strong backing of community members, we took on the fight — and won an unequivocal victory in court.

Our critic says that “the laws were not rushed” but were “years in the making,” and had “broad community support.” On the contrary: Local Law 12 was introduced, revised and passed within three months in what this newspaper called a “whirlwind effort.” Critical changes during the drafting process, which would have allowed vastly expanded commercial development throughout our downtown, were never explained to the public.

Also rushed was the environmental review required under New York State law. That review is required to consider issues such as parking and traffic, storm runoff and flooding, sewage, historic character, and economic impact on surrounding business. The village’s environmental impact assessment was cursory and never discussed in a public forum.

The ruling from Judge Stephen Hackeling states it plainly: “Clearly, the record in this instance indicates a de minimis, incomplete, environmental review was undertaken at the same time (if not after) the decision was made to adopt the subject local laws.”

As for “broad community support,” the fact that nearly 200 citizens donated mostly small amounts to fund our legal effort suggests that there was broad community opposition to Local Law 12.

Hilary Loomis

Save Sag Harbor

Loomis writes on behalf of the entire board of Save Sag Harbor, which includes Bob Weinstein, Barbara Roberts, Tom Clavin, Randolph Croxton, Myrna Davis, Sara Gage, Elizabeth Gilbert, Peter Ginna, Cathleen McGuigan and Dan Weiss — Ed.