Letters

There has been a lot of controversy, pro and con, in the village regarding a proposed affordable housing scheme put forth by Adam Potter and his real estate development company.

It’s important to say up front that most, if not all, citizens of Sag Harbor are for some form of affordable housing in the village, including myself. The main issue, as I see it, is that without a meaningful comprehensive master plan for the village, all of the proposed projects — the Long Wharf theater, affordable housing and structured parking — are a real danger to the historic character and integrity of the village.

I have no idea what the village planning consultants may have previously recommended or proposed to the village. As a retired architect and urban designer who has participated in several urban design studies, I believe a comprehensive master plan is absolutely essential before any future decision-making.

It presents a vision for the future, with long-range goals and objectives for all activities that affect the local government. Simply stated, comprehensive planning is an ordered process that determines community goals and aspirations in terms of development.

A local comprehensive plan tells a community what it looks like today and where it wants to go. It includes assessments of existing resources and issues, projections of future conditions and needs, and consideration of collective goals and desires. It involves the active participation of citizens.

Are you listening, Mr. Mayor?

The proposed affordable housing scheme would be sitting on contaminated land in need of further remediation, as well as being in a documented floodplain and literally underwater in heavy rains. This makes absolutely no sense to me.

No one has asked the community their opinions up until now about any of these proposals. Potter makes a proposal and the mayor more or less considers the idea. So you might want to ask yourself what was previously on the site. Answer: Light industrial buildings, a sugar refinery and a gasworks. It was never intended or desirable for residential use situated in a low-lying area — period.

BHC Architects should be ashamed of their awful proposal. Total garbage. And it’s worth remembering that Potter’s proposed scheme would literally create a housing “ghetto” in the heart of our village. In addition, the existing houses facing Bridge and Rose streets should be retained or modified for multiple affordable housing, and the number of apartment units greatly reduced.

There are several other locations in the village that should be considered for affordable housing, but certainly not a contaminated swampland.

I’m hopeful the mayor and trustees will step back and take a more considered approach to Potter’s folly. We should all remember: It’s our village and our heritage at stake.

Evan Schwartz

Sag Harbor