Letters

While well-intentioned, Mayor Jesse Warren’s and the Southampton Village Board’s recent attempt to modify the current accessory code, a means to offer an affordable rental option, falls short.

The village should seek to increase workforce housing for those who work and volunteer but cannot afford to live here. This type of housing contributes to a better quality of life for all.

Former Mayor Bill Hattrick ushered in the original legislation decades ago. It needed simplification, but its intent was clear: to provide more year-round rental apartments for the workforce in our community.

The real question is whether this recent accessory legislation will increase workforce housing at all.

Although the home must be owner-occupied and be the primary residence of the owner, the legislation does not specify any qualifications for the tenant. In contrast, municipalities around us have been addressing the need for supply of workforce housing rentals through accessory apartment legislation for years.

The codes for the Town of Southampton and the Town of East Hampton are not vague as to who qualifies for an accessory apartment: The apartment must serve as the year-round legal residence of the tenant(s).

Another point of interest is that this new village legislation excludes this affordable apartment rental option for all homeowners whose properties are under 7,500 square feet. There are scores of homeowners across the village who cannot participate. Was any precursory analysis performed to determine the number of homeowners who would not qualify?

Also, absent from this legislation is a potential cap on the number of units villagewide, as was included in the past.

Finally, in what way was this new legislation communicated to residents prior to approval? Did Mayor Warren and Trustee Joseph McLoughlin solicit feedback and comment from the Village Planning Commission? When the gross floor area rule was adjusted under the prior administration, input included many stakeholders, including the Village Building Department, Planning Commission, community leaders, consultants, and interested parties. Was there outreach to contact neighborhood leaders or special interest groups, particularly those who are now excluded under the mayor’s new legislation?

Prior to implementation, proper research and outreach should have done on the new legislation (Article IX of Village Code 116) to deliver on its promise of workforce housing.

Kimberly Allan

Southampton Village

Laura Devinney

Southampton Village

Ms. Allan is a former member of the Southampton Village Board; Ms. Devinney is a current member of the Southampton Village Planning Commission — Ed.