555 and Balasses House Zoning Creation and Changes

I am writing to express my concern regarding actions taken at the November 7 Town Board meeting with respect to zoning creations and zoning changes in Amagansett.    As a resident of Amagansett I am concerned both at the process as well as the proposals themselves.

The Process.  With respect to the process, I am dismayed at the “rush job” that appears to be happening.   We are talking about a MAJOR zoning creation as well as other zoning changes that will forever impact the population density, demand for public services such as EMS and fire, vistas and atmosphere of Amagansett.  Such zoning changes should not be rushed through without a more thorough review including proper due diligence, evaluation of whether the changes adhere to the Comprehensive Plan, public comment, Planning Committee review and a true exploration of the impact of such changes on the community.   By rushing this through in just a few weeks such exploration and due diligence will not occur and the losers will be the community I fear.  Furthermore, I must ask, why spend the time and money on a thoughtfully developed Comprehensive Plan if the Town Supervisors can, willy nilly, decide that it isn’t THEIR Comprehensive Plan and make unilateral decisions that go directly against the plan that the taxpayers paid for?  

As elected officials you represent us, the taxpayers and homeowners.  We elected you to adhere to the laws and regulations that impact our community.   Actions taken to push through zoning changes to allow both residential and commercial developments including 555 Mountauk Hwy. and  Balasses House before proper due diligence is conducted violate the trust of the community which elected you on the belief that you would be good and thoughtful stewards of the community and its resources.  In my opinion the process is flawed and sets a terrible precedent for poor decision making into eternity.  With all due respect, you are not representing me or my fellow Amagansett citizens if you capriciously ram through the MAJOR zoning changes required to allow the 555 Montauk Hwy and Balasses House projects.

The Impact.   I am concerned that the 555 development will impact negatively the entire community of Amagansett on multiple fronts including overcrowding of a town that is already very overcrowded in the summer, excess strains on public services such as EMS and Fire Department and the future precedent it sets for other yet-to-happen developments.   An additional 79 residences and their occupants is a large increase for a small town.  If you have driven into Amagansett recently you will see the sign recruiting fire department members.  We already don’t have enough to accommodate the residents we DO have.  What additional services will be needed to accommodate another 79 residences and their occupants?  What about the increased traffic?  Last summer there were many near fatal traffic accidents in Amagansett that I believe were due to what are overcrowded roads.  An additional 79 units and their residents certainly won’t help this problem.

The Balasses House zoning changes also threatens our quaint town.  Downtown is special because of the limited commercial development and its historic areas.  We need to preserve this not expand commercial zoning so a 711, for example, can set up shop.

I purposely bought a house in Amagansett because it was the “unHampton,” less crowded in the summer, more quaint and, overall, a really special slice of life on the East End (which is not to denigrate the other Hamptons but I think Amagansett is very unique and special).  The additional residents and their cars resulting from 555 and commercial zoning for Balasses House will threaten what is so special about Amagansett.  These zoning changes not only go against the Comprehensive Plan but they also go against common sense if one’s goal is to ensure the safety and quality of life of residents.  As such, zoning changes should be very carefully and thoughtfully evaluated and comprehensive and thorough due diligence conducted.  The actions of the Town Board have been anything but that, to date.  I implore you to NOT consider nor pass these zoning changes on December 19th and, instead, let the proper due diligence and evaluation be conducted.

Thank you for your consideration.

In good health,

Susan Bratton

Amagansett