Southold Approves Temporary Hotel Moratorium

A new moratorium has been approved in Southold, and critics and proponents weighed in on the future of new projects in the North Fork.

The Southold Town Board unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on hotel development, the Suffolk Times reported. The measure still needs to be filed with the Secretary of State, but is expected to be enacted in the next couple of weeks.

Once in place, the rule will pause the application process for any new construction resort, hotel or motel projects. The year-long pause is double the length the Suffolk County Planning Commission recommended.

A majority of the public comments made at Tuesday’s board meeting were in favor of the moratorium, but opposition arose, too. The law firm representing the proposed 81-room Mattituck Hotel — which would be impacted by the moratorium without final approval in place — argued for the exclusion of pending applications for redevelopments.

Jennifer Hartnagel of Group for the East End argued against such an exemption. Hartnagel is one of those who have called for a moratorium on all new commercial development in town, which hasn’t been taken up.

There are several notable hospitality projects set to be spared from the moratorium. Alexander Perros’ Silver Sands hotel is exempt because the application is for converting an accessory building into a restaurant and the hotel already exists.

The Enclaves will also be exempt from the moratorium. The luxury hotel received final site approval from the town’s planning board several months ago and will therefore be allowed to go forward.

The town is working on a larger comprehensive zoning update, which is expected to be delivered by March. A consultant hired by the town hasn’t issued any land use change recommendations yet, according to town supervisor Al Krupski, while saying that it remains “possible” and welcoming the community to comment on any recommendations.

— Holden Walter-Warner