Dear Friends of the Shinnecock Canal, My thanks and appreciation for your part in opposing the rezoning of the Historic Shinnecock Canal: a consensus that reflects a majority of Residents and Visitors. And Southampton Town Planning Board Members who voted NOT TO endorse the resolution. The Planning Board Members understand, which we hope our Supervisor and Council do this Tuesday: public lands are not THEIRS to give away. Nor endanger with exceptions to a 50 ft setback for wetlands for buildings composing the Townhouse Development as shown in the Developers Site Plan Maps. Including (you can receive a pdf of this info by request as photos cannot be posted here): - Bldg 3 is 7 ft from canal - Bldg 4 touches the wetland buffer line - Wall surrounding pool is 5 feet from canal - Pool is 25ft from canal - Boat basin wall is 5 ft from building 2 (clubhouse) The proposed zoning change before this Southampton Town Board would endorse privatizing public lands with increased density (proposed Development is 73,000 sq ft on 3.9 acres) that far exceeds the right to build (17,000 ft). This is contrary to established rules in the Town of Southampton: and if approved could be cited as a precedent for placing similar development elsewhere. Nor is this high density development appropriate along the South Shore Estuary Reserve (SSER) Watershed. The Canal is also located within the Peconic Estuary Critical Environmental Area. These are amongst the many sound reasons The Southampton Town Planning Board voted NOT TO endorse the change, including: (1) “this plan constitutes a significant privatization” (2) “seems contrary to the stated goals of the Comprehensive Plan that places priority on …. promoting public use of the water”; (3)“the population density …. still appears excessive and out of scale for this relatively small parcel and in comparison..”; (5) a continuous public promenade/access along the frontage of the Shinnecock Canal be required…” It would also provide increased profit only for the developers; accomplishing the practice of illegal spot zoning. There’s no consensus on public benefits, including the wastewater system or road changes, as required. Many key reasons why the application for zoning change must be denied by Southampton Town Board Members: including “the alternative chosen by the Developer’s in building the Townhouses has significant adverse impacts that have not been mitigated:" 1) Townhouses do not conform to the community character 2) This mpd zoning change does not enhance 3) As required by law, there’s no public consensus on community benefits 4) The Townhouse plan does not adhere to wetland laws 5) Proposed traffic changes do not improve nor change the traffic flow…and include public land giveaways. 6) This application connects parcels of land (CPI to shore of Shinnecock Canal to eastern parcel) that make no sense to do so. 7) This application for a mpd/pdd flouts all other existing laws and Town Plans and Studies A myriad of reasons, facts and Town of Southampton Plans reinforce the current zoning: that the gateway to our Hampton’s reflect the east end heritage. I propose lands encompassing the Historic Canal be developed with a singular vision, as achieved on the Manhattan “High Line”. The objectives are similar: preserve conservation standards "at destination points" for residents and tourists alike. Including rotating exhibitions of outdoor artworks, as the East End has been home to generations of artists including world renowned Roy Lichtenstein and William DeKooning. All of which Town Board Members must consider as reasons to vote NO this Tuesday: including THEY serve the public good since this zoning change does nothing to improve public heath and safety. They should postpone the vote until all issues cited by the Planning Board are fully investigated in an open forum when public comment is reopened. You can express support for the Planning Board with comments, here: https://www.change.org/p/adopt-the-planning-board-s-resolution-against-a-zoning-change “WE” hope our Town Supervisor and our Town Council consider the far reaching effects in this important vote that effects where we live, visit. The consensus of opinion shown here this past month: nearly 1000 friends of the Historic Shinnecock Canal signed this petition. Yours, Hope