Letters

Re: Alfred Caiola’s presentation at the Hampton Bays Beautification meeting [“Would-Be Developer Pitches His Vision for a Remade Hampton Bays to New Community Group,” 27east.com, August 21]: At a recent Hampton Bays Beautification Association meeting covered by The Southampton Press, Mr. Caiola again presented his vision of what he knows is best for Hampton Bays, if true to form, with a “stacked” audience. I was not at the meeting.

He says that Good Ground Park is isolated, with no direct connection to downtown. He also says the park is inaccessible and can only be accessed by car. He is obviously unaware that you can walk to Good Ground Park right off Main Street in the middle of town.

In previous statements, he said the park was unknown to the community, obviously not aware of the many well-attended functions and presentations held during the summer season and the constant flow of activity during the offseason.

In the discussion regarding building height, he and others selectively cited Sag Harbor, Greenport and East Hampton, all having three-story buildings. Why should we care what they have? They didn’t mention Westhampton Beach, where no building shall exceed two stories, and a height of 32 feet. Except for the Village of Southampton and the Town of East Hampton, allowing 2½ stories, all south shore communities limit residential buildings to two stories.

Steve Auterman of Urban Design Associates, hired by Mr. Caiola, doesn’t know Hampton Bays. He talked about shoppers having to drive from one merchant to another — he doesn’t recognize that parking in downtown in Hampton Bays is at a premium. No shopper is going to leave their parking spot to then search, hopefully, for a new one. Some merchants do provide parking for their customers, but most do not. The commercial district is only about 200 yards, and most shoppers walk it.

Fellow members of the Hampton Bays community, don’t let Mr. Caiola and his group, who have shown they really don’t know Hampton Bays or the other communities who have made decisions on what is best for them, make the decision for us. Whether we want two-story buildings or something else, that is our decision to make.

Albert T. Junge

Hampton Bays