Hampton Bays civic leaders make their own redevelopment pitch

The leaders representing nearly every civic group in Hampton Bays want the owners of the Canoe Place Inn to consider three different redevelopment plans they’ve proposed for the property in exchange for being allowed to build luxury condos on the eastern side of Shinnecock Canal—though Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst warned that none of the ideas is viable.

Hampton Bays United—a group that includes 14 leaders representing the Hampton Bays Civic Association, the Beautification Association and other groups—met earlier this month to come up with their own redevelopment plans for the Canoe Place Inn property, as well as the land directly across the canal, and unveiled them during a meeting last Thursday, August 19.

The group wants Gregg and Mitchell Rechler, who head the firm R Squared LCC of Melville, to agree to one of its three proposals before they are allowed to secure a zoning change from Southampton Town that will allow them to build 40 luxury condominiums on the eastern side of the canal, where two restaurants now sit. The Rechlers also own those properties.

The three proposals that were floated include: in exchange for building condos, the Rechlers must agree to preserve the Canoe Place Inn and buy and preserve other open space somewhere in Hampton Bays; the Rechlers must abandon plans to build the condos and instead restore and reopen the Canoe Place Inn as a country inn, and transform the land on the east side of the canal into a public park; or the Rechlers agree to restore and preserve the Canoe Place Inn and build a marina and restaurants on the east side of the canal.

Hampton Bays Civic Association President Mary Jean Green, who stepped down from her post this week for health reasons, shared the group’s visions for the properties and, at the same meeting, verbally jousted with Ms. Throne-Holst, who was in attendance at the Hampton Bays community center. Ms. Green previously shared the group’s idea with the supervisor, who said she forwarded them to the Rechlers.

“[The town] presented the proposals to them, none of which Anna thinks is viable,” Ms. Green told the nearly 50 audience members in attendance last week.

“The concern I have is that if we say no to this because the idea of 40 condos is too painful, that we won’t be happy with what does go in [on the Canoe Place Inn property],” Ms. Throne-Holst responded.

“We believe what we’re asking for is feasible,” Ms. Green later said. “We just need to have a willing seller.”

Ms. Throne-Holst told Ms. Green that while she passed along the proposals, the supervisor does not think the Rechlers will agree to any of them. Ms. Throne-Holst, who said she has not spoken with the Rechlers, said they will not agree to any of the plans because they have the right to demolish the inn and redevelop that property.

The Town Board, however, must approve a planned development district on the land located on the eastern side of the canal if the Rechlers intend to build the condos there. That land, which is currently zoned waterfront business, is now occupied by Tide Runners restaurant and 1 North Steakhouse.

In a prepared statement issued on Wednesday, Gregg Rechler said: “In January of this year, Anna Throne-Holst and the town engaged us in discussions to create a public benefit for the town by saving and restoring the historical appearance of the CPI and transforming it into a state-of-the-art conference center/catering facility available for public use and events.

“We have worked and continue to work with the supervisor and the Town Board in good faith discussions, but our discussions cannot continue forever,” he continued. “As property owners, we must, of course, keep all our options open. We sincerely hope that our discussions result in a resolution that will benefit all involved. If the town does not adopt the pending settlement in the near future, we will have no choice but to move forward with the development of the site.”

Ms. Green said the civic groups came up with their own proposals because they are unhappy with current plans for the two properties. “A problem we have in Hampton Bays is density,” she said. “We’d insist that the developer purchase open space in Hampton Bays over and above his as-of-right density.” Ms. Green added that she did not have a particular piece of land in mind that the Rechlers could buy and preserve.

If they don’t agree to follow any of her group’s suggestions, Ms. Green said the Rechlers should not receive a zoning change. But Ms. Throne-Holst previously warned that such a stance could mean that the Rechlers simply demolish the Canoe Place Inn, which is not a registered landmark and, therefore, not protected.

“The next important step here is a succinct and clear presentation on what the developer’s as of right is here today,” said Ms. Throne-Holst, adding that she thinks that Ms. Green does not represent the feelings of all civic members. “It’s important for people to see what they’re gaining or giving.”

The supervisor said she hopes to hold an open meeting to discuss the Rechlers plans in mid-September, possibly in a Hampton Bays school.