An application to construct seven new office buildings on Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays, which would require an exemption from an ongoing building moratorium in the hamlet, was not well-received by members of the Southampton Town Planning Board.
At a meeting last Thursday, January 15, the Planning Board asked the Southampton Town Board to table an application that proposes to demolish the existing buildings currently located on three parcels on the north side of the hamlet’s main thoroughfare, just east of the United Artists movie theater. The same application seeks to replace those structures with seven two-story buildings that would total 42,000 square feet in size.
During their meeting on Tuesday, Town Board members agreed to adjourn the public hearing on the application for a month. Representatives of the developer behind the project—Bryan Whalen of the Whalen Contracting Corp in Hampton Bays—asked for the delay so that they could update the proposal so it addresses additional concerns raised by community residents.
The application came before the Planning Board as a routine referral from the Town Board, which is currently evaluating whether or not to grant the exemption. The moratorium, enacted last June, places a temporary hold on applications for subdivisions, changes in zoning, and site plans.
In a letter to the Town Board, Mr. Whalen’s attorney, Melinda Rubin of Hampton Bays, explained that the project would provide office space to non-food establishments and would encourage local businesses to remain in the hamlet.
Nevertheless, Planning Board members expressed concern that the project might not jibe with the results of a planning study that is now being conducted.
Brian Bossetta on Jan 28, 2009