Southampton Town Board Closes Hearing On Community Pool Proposal

A proposal to build a community pool on Southampton Town-owned property took a small step forward when the Town Board voted unanimously Tuesday to close a hearing on whether it was a permissible use on town-owned land that was acquired through the Community Preservation Fund.

Although the town had been advised that the use was, in fact, allowed, Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said it had held the hearing, which was continued over three meetings, in an effort to be transparent about the process.

Two weeks ago, opponents came out to oppose Southampton Town Aquatics and Recreation’s plan to build the indoor facility on a 7-acre property on Magee Street just south of County Road 39, arguing it would devalue their property and increase traffic. On Tuesday, supporters had their turn, with speaker after speaker urging the board to move forward with a much needed facility that could be used to teach children water safety and provide a recreational outlet for citizens of all walks of life.

Many of those speakers, including Rosemary Sharp, a resident of the nearby Bishop’s Pond Condominiums, said the concerns raised by opponents were overblown. Pointing out that the property was acquired for recreational uses, she said, “We should ask ourselves if not this, then what?” She said other developments, including soccer or baseball fields, could result in late-night noise and light pollution that would be more intrusive.

Tim Bishop, a STAR board member, responding to questions from Supervisor Jay Schneiderman about traffic impacts, said the facility would likely be open from about 7 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m. daily, and draw about 500 patrons throughout the day. “You wouldn’t have 500 all at once,” he said.

To complaints about the facility’s design, Mr. Bishop said it was early to discuss that because the building has yet to be designed.

Maria Greenlaw, STAR’s vice president, also sought to clarify misconceptions. She stressed that STAR would build and operate the facility with private donations and was not seeking taxpayer dollars for the project.

“We are not trying to rush this under the radar, taking advantage of COVID,” she said, dismissing a charge that had been leveled by critics. “We have been at this for 30 years.”

The board spent about a third of its time debating whether or not to keep the record open for 14 or 21 days, but it finally agreed with Councilwoman Julie Lofstad’s request for the longer period, so that members of the Southampton, Tuckahoe, and Shinnecock Hills Citizens Advisory Committee could have an opportunity to hear from STAR representatives.

Before it can move forward, STAR must file a formal application and undergo site-plan review before the town Planning Board.