Letters

I am writing in opposition to the proposed residential project on the site of the Dockers restaurant on Dune Road in East Quogue [“East Quogue Residents, Environmental Advocates Condemn Condo Proposal at Dockers Site,” 27east.com, November 8].

As I understand it, the project requires a zoning change from one nonconforming use to another. I have lived in the town long enough to remember that when a nonconforming use was exhausted, the site had to revert to a conforming use. No more exceptions, no more deals — simply adhere to the existing zoning.

I believe this continued movement to disregard existing zoning is the single most destructive action any board can take, benefiting solely the applicant at the expense of the environment and the people of the town.

I write this as I look out my window at a golf course whose representatives are still attempting to modify the agreement long after the project had been agreed to. I write this as I count six existing, and a proposed seventh, 7-Eleven stores between Westhampton and Hampton Bays, while there is only one on the North Fork and one on Montauk Highway west to the Mastic area.

There exist three houses on the north side of Dune Road from the Ponguogue Bridge to the Quogue Village line — the rest of the property is undisturbed in its natural beauty and is home to wildlife unique to this part of the world. Southampton Town purchased the property some years ago to the east of the property in question; town officials should actively pursue purchasing this property as well.

A few years back, the condominium complex across the street from the restaurant was falling into the ocean. The road is constantly flooded and only getting worse. This proposed development will only exacerbate the situation.

I recently called a local fish store and asked about the availability of Peconic Bay scallops. She said there were none, but, apologetically, said they had Moriches and Shinnecock bay scallops, implying that they were second-rate. Nothing wrong with that, I thought. In fact, I could not think of a better place to seed and harvest them than on the north side of Dune Road in this unspoiled and undeveloped stretch.

I believe it is incumbent on the town to actively pursue purchasing this property. Any future development will compromise what is left of this pristine ecosystem and further the overdevelopment of a town that is already overdeveloped.

William R. Kearns

East Quogue