Letters

Shared Love For Village

In response to Evelyn Konrad’s criticism [“Places To Look,” Letters, 27east.com, April 20], I can only say that I have long admired Ms. Konrad’s efforts to defend her vision of what she believes Southampton Village should be. That said, her criticism of the decisions made during my time on the Planning Board miss several key points.

Ms. Konrad begins by referring to “Roy Stevenson’s Planning Board.” It is certainly not my Planning Board; there are four other very well qualified members, appointed not by me but by the mayor and trustees, each with their own opinions and vote.

Let’s take a closer look at the applications Ms. Konrad references:

1. The application for the Village Latch condominiums on Hill Street went through an extended Planning Board review in which there was relatively little public comment. The application met all village codes and was therefore approved by a 5-0 vote.

2. The Planning Board had nothing to do with the closure of the brick courtyard on Jobs Lane. While it was my personal opinion that the owner of a private property should not be required to maintain it as a public park, I did my best during the hearings to be fair both to the applicant’s plan and to the public’s objections to it. The changes he made to his property following the application’s withdrawal were in no way associated with the Planning Board.

3. When the Old Town Road subdivision was reviewed 10 years ago, the plan was given a negative SEQRA declaration and passed by the Planning Board. In 2020, the application came before the board for final approval. The Planning Board performed another SEQRA review and again voted 5-0 for a declaration of negative environmental impact.

Following this decision, I directed the Planning Board consultant, Kathy Eiseman, to draft a letter to the Southampton Planning Commission and village trustees expressing our concern that the Planning Board was being asked to approve subdivisions that do not meet Suffolk County’s minimum lot size.

I have often remarked that the way to enact change is through electing trustees and a mayor that share their concerns. I have decided to run for trustee to begin helping to make those legislative changes that protect the village’s character and environment.

I agree with Ms. Konrad that the village needs a new master plan. I hope I will have her support, because I believe our shared love for this village is greater than our differences.

Roy Stevenson

Southampton Village

Mr. Stevenson is a member of the Southampton Village Planning Board and is a candidate for the Southampton Village Board — Ed.