Last September 2020 we voted for trustees who promised to stop overdevelopment. In June 2019, we vote for a mayor, supposedly dedicated to the same goal. So far, no cigar!
Since September 2020, the replacement of three-bedroom middle-class houses by seven-bedroom McMansions has continued at a pace rivaling the 15 years of destruction of our middle-class housing by Epley and mini-Epley. Our three village regulatory boards — ARB, ZBA and the Planning Board — have continued their lawless practice of granting every developer application, regardless of neighbors’ objections, violation of New York State laws, and pleas to the Warren administration to exercise its oversight responsibility.
On April 20, at the only upcoming public hearing for the village budget, our mayor and our trustees will approve a budget showing ample cash reserves and omitting a new Comprehensive Plan, which becomes the base for a new zoning code, even though we are legally obligated to have a new Comprehensive Plan at least every five years. We have not had a complete Comprehensive Plan since 2000. The excellent firm that produced the May 2000 Comprehensive Plan (violated by the Epley administration since 2005) is ready and standing by.
Do not be fooled by the mayor’s election-year gift of pennies in lessened property taxes: He is continuing overdevelopment, which is the cause of rising property taxes in the first place.
I spoke out at the April 8 trustee meeting, where the new budget showed ample money for a new Comprehensive Plan. My demand was praised and echoed at that public hearing by former Trustee Kimberly Allan.
Now we have an another chance to demand the immediate implementation of a new Comprehensive Plan from the mayor and trustees by participating in the April 20 trustee meeting and demanding, on Zoom, that the mayor and trustees budget for the immediate start of a new Comprehensive Plan; or emailing and/or writing the same demand to the board of trustees.
By adding our voices, we can take back the civil liberties the prior administrations have stolen from us since 2005. Let’s speak out! Make our voices heard: A new Comprehensive Plan is essential to keeping what’s left of value in our beloved Southampton Village.
Evelyn Konrad
Attorney at law
Southampton Village
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