East Hampton extends Amagansett’s Lazy Point leases for 35 years

The East Hampton Town Trustees voted to extend the leases on lots in Amagansett’s Lazy Point to 35 years, 27east reported. The trustees were swayed by arguments that such an extension would give the tenants more security and allow them to get loans for home improvements along with other purchases. This would also likely prolong tenants’ stay on the land, much of which is owned by trustees who benefit from the rent revenue. Up until now, the Lazy Point leases had been year-to-year, which made it hard for some tenants to obtain loans for property upgrades. Along with the extension, the sale or transfer of a lease to a new homeowner will not reset its clock, but rather keep them on the original term. The East Hampton Star reported that six trustees voted in favor of the measure, two abstained and one voted against it. One trustee, Rick Drew, reportedly abstained because his own Lazy Point lease was one due to expire. Another claimed to not fully understand the effects such a change might have on their board and the Lazy Point area, which is along Gardiner’s Bay, over time. “What is that shoreline going to look like in 10, 20, 35 years?” asked trustee Susan Vorpahl. “Do we want to promote people being tied to these long leases when maybe that landscape might drastically change?” Additionally, 17 residents of Lazy Point signed a petition objecting to the extensions. [27east]