The development was singled out in last year’s “All Hands on Housing” initiative
Sixteen units of affordable housing wouldn’t even make the radar screen in New York City, but in East Hampton, it’s almost a big deal.
The East Hampton Town Planning Board reviewed a proposed development of that size at 395 Pantigo Road last week, the East Hampton Star reported. While approval hasn’t been granted, the board took a positive view of the development.
The 12-acre site still needs to be cleared. It previously had a single residence, which was condemned three years ago. The town purchased the land with community preservation funds and its general fund, and added it to its Affordable Housing Overlay district in March.
It takes special zoning to build affordable housing on the East End — one of many reasons there’s so little of it.
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In the proposal being considered, the gross floor area of each residence is capped at 10 percent of the building lot area. The average home size will be 1,500 square feet, with the smallest checking in at under 1,100.
There will also be accessory structures, not usable as separate apartments and limited to 600 square feet each.
The town of East Hampton will own the land and have the capability to lease the homes for the next 99 years. The rationale for that structure is to keep the houses affordable, though at least one board member bemoaned the idea of residents not owning them.
The project will retain five acres of woodlands, which could help connect it to the proposed South Fork Bikeway. The design has a single access road leading into a cul-de-sac, with homes sitting on either side of the road.
“It’s a milestone to get to this portion of the project,” said council member David Lys, who was tasked with overseeing the development in last year’s All Hands on Housing initiative. Lys added that he hoped to see construction on the road begin in the summer.
An affordability crisis in the Hamptons has been worsening for years. Town supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc has said it is “threatening to unravel the fabric of our community.” East End voters last year did approve a 0.5 percent transfer tax to fund affordable housing in East Hampton, Southampton, Shelter Island and Southold.
In addition to several affordable housing developments, the town is looking to permit more granny flats.
— Holden Walter-Warner