Southampton Town Board Once Again Delays Vote On Bel-Aire Cove Motel Purchase

Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman is hoping for a big birthday present: the long-delayed approval of the purchase of the Bel-Aire Cove Motel in Hampton Bays.

Town Board members, once again, were forced to delay a vote to approve the purchase on Tuesday. The purchase of the motel requires the approval of an urban renewal plan, which was not put up for a vote on Tuesday, meaning the board could not vote on the purchase itself.

In fact, a resolution approving the urban renewal plan—dubbed the Hampton Bays Waterfront Revitalization Plan—was not included in a packet of resolutions to be voted on, an apparent oversight.

Now, the vote is set for April 9—which also happens to be Mr. Schneiderman’s birthday.

In August, Mr. Schneiderman proposed purchasing the blighted motel that is regularly used for year-round housing, for $1,060,000 for community development purposes. After years of being on the market, no prospective buyer would move on the purchase because of issues with permitting.

The supervisor’s intent in purchasing the property was to demolish the motel and clear the lot in order to get the needed permits to develop a condominium or townhouse complex, or another motel that could boost tourism in Hampton Bays. Once the permits were in place, Mr. Schneiderman said he wanted to go to the community for input on what its members want to see constructed at the property, and then sell it to a developer.

During the public hearings, the majority of residents said they wanted to see the property purchased with Community Preservation Fund money so that the property could revert to its natural state, while also providing a place for the community to launch kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddle boards onto Penny Pond, a feeder creek off Shinnecock Bay.

After listening to the overwhelming community feedback, Town Board member Christine Scalera presented a resolution to purchase the property using CPF money. Community members, once again, said during the public hearings that they supported purchasing the property with CPF money.

Despite the feedback, the resolution was shot down by all members of the board except for Ms. Scalera.

Mr. Schneiderman presented his plan for urban renewal of the property, and after a public hearing the board members cast their votes to move forward with his plan.

Under the new plan, buildings would not be taller than two stories and amenities could include a yoga room, pool or lounge area.

The town would also be able to create either a 22-unit boutique hotel or a 12-unit seasonal resort complex consisting of townhouses, with the community’s approval.