Letters

When builders develop subdivisions in the Town of Southampton, they often have to modify their plans as a results of valid concerns by adjacent homeowners. However, to our dismay, this is not the case if the developer is the town itself.

Should the town acquire the U.S. Coast Guard housing site in Westhampton, it will do so without any regard for our neighborhood concerns. It definitely opposes any modification to its plans to make the property compatible with our community.

Merely stating that it will provide “affordable” housing is a camouflage for its true intentions. To begin with, the very people it hopes to retain in the town will be excluded from purchasing these homes because of income limitations. In addition, purchasers will be unable to gain any equity in their homes. The properties will not be sold for any increase in value.

It should be noted that the town’s history of lethargic code enforcement is not reassuring. However, Ryan Murphy, public safety and emergency management administrator, has encouraged more robust action, and while this is encouraging, the possible future involvement of the Community Development Corporation and the addition of ambiguous and problematic regulations may very well result in a reversal of this progress.

So as the town’s plans now stand, its possible acquisition of the U.S. Coast Guard housing site will have a significant adverse impact on the integrity of our community and of Westhampton in general.

Sharon Frost

Past President

Hampton West Estates Residents’ Association