Board Acts on Waterfront Lots
The Sagaponack Village Board adopted five local laws at a meeting on Monday, with lot coverage regulation and a coastal erosion plan among them.
Local Law No. 4, designed to control excessive development of residential parcels, had been of particular interest to many in the village, as shown by large crowds at the public hearings preceding its adoption and many written comments.
Additional setbacks for tennis courts were the primary concern among residents, builders, and real estate agents. Following a public outcry, the law was revised to exclude sunken tennis courts. The law also redefines the word “driveway” and the meaning of “lot area,” now exclusive of the “flagpole” portion of any flag lot.
Following a directive from the State Department of Environmental Conservation, the village assumed the authority to implement and regulate a coastal erosion management program, including procedures for minimizing damage to structures from flooding and erosion, and protecting natural resources. Anthony B. Tohill, the village’s acting attorney, explained yesterday that a coastal erosion law is one of the few instances where a local law must be approved and certified by the D.E.C.
Accordingly, the board repealed its existing coastal erosion law and replaced it with a new one, the Coastal Erosion Hazard Area Law, which is essentially the same as the Town of Southampton’s. Included in the law are changes to the regulation of building permits on waterfront lots or within 400 feet landward of the coastal erosion hazard line.
In another environmental safeguard, site-plan approval will now be required in some circumstances for the deposit, excavation, importation, or exportation of fill, since changes to the natural grade or topographical elevation affect surface water runoff.
Finally, the board repealed its ban on lawfully pre-existing, nonconforming signs.
The board will convene next on Jan. 14 at 3 p.m., for a work session and to address planning issues.