Politics & Government
555 Developers Request Adjournments for Hearings Scheduled for Thursday
On the day the hearing is scheduled, town supervisor says, "it's a little late" to put it off.
Developers of a luxury senior housing complex in Amagansett said late Wednesday night that they want to put off two zoning applications scheduled for a hearing before the East Hampton Town Board on Thursday.
They requested that matters for 555 Amagansett be heard on a future date so to allow for more community discussion.
The town board was supposed to hear applications involving creating a new overlay zone for senior housing and a proposal to rezone the property at 531, 551 and 561 Montauk Highway in Amagansett for use as a senior housing community.
Putnam Bridge, a Greenwich, Conn. firm, purchased the 23.5-acre property in May 2012 for $10 million with plans to build cottages and apartments for those 55 and older looking for luxury independent living.
However, last week, Putnam Bridge withdrew its application for the property's rezoning after the Suffolk County Planning Commission voted against their proposal that would have made the property's rezoning possible.
A petition against the proposal was also created online with over 1,500 signatures. "The Group to STOP 555" formed, as well. This week, they requested the town board move the public hearings, including public comment for the controversial deer cull program, scheduled for Thursday to a larger venue, such as East Hampton High School.
“We have heard various concerns of the community and agree that allowing more time to meet with members of the community, as well as the newly elected officials of the East Hampton Town Board, will allow a more constructive dialogue regarding the future of the 555 property," the developers said.
Asked Thursday morning what he thought of the request to adjourn the hearings, Supervisor Bill Wilkinson said, "I think it's a little late to do that."
Mass emails went out just Wednesday encouraging residents to attend the meeting. "The promotion of the public hearing will ensure a lot of people show up. I hate, at any point in time, from discouraging any voices from being heard," Wilkinson said. "I think the subject matter should still be heard. That's my opinion I don't know what the other board members think."
The town board will have to vote on whether to table the hearings at the meeting, which starts at 7 p.m.
What do you think? Would you like to see the hearings put off? Leave a comment below.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
