Poised to Adopt New Limits
Compared with previous Sag Harbor Village Board meetings and discussions of the proposed residential zoning code revisions in the village, Tuesday night’s hearing was relatively quick and calm.
New limits on house sizes would apply to lots that are 6,250 square feet or more (initially, new limits would have affected all properties over 5,000 square feet). Smaller properties will be governed by the existing 20-percent-coverage rule. The maximum house size on a 25,000-square-foot lot would be 4,000 square feet. A house any bigger would require a special permit.
Anthony Vermandois, an architect who lives on Union Street, said he had gone on “a letter-writing binge” opposing the proposals as they were first introduced. However, looking at the new limits, he had a change of heart and said he supported the amendments, though they weren’t perfect. He said he hoped the board would reconsider them if in future they were found to be “too strict or not strict enough.”
He also asked that the board take a look at the pyramid law next, and suggested reaching out to the design community for feedback.
Robert Plumb, a member of the zoning board of appeals, spoke in favor of gross floor-area standards, calling it “a vast improvement over what we have.” He said he thought the board had come up with reasonable figures. “I think you’ve averaged it out as best you can,” he said.
Pat Trunzo, who said he owns several vacant properties in the village, asked the board to reconsider some parts of the proposals, though he supported the effort overall. He wants to see a slightly higher percentage allowed on bigger properties.
Alex Kriegsman, a Sag Harbor attorney, once again pressed the village for a figure on how much Rich Warren had been paid to analyze the property and house sizes on which the board based its proposals.
Mayor Schroeder said the board was not taking questions during the hearing and that Mr. Kriegsman had been told, when he asked the first time at a meeting in January, that he could file a Freedom of Information request.
Denise Schoen, who represented the village Tuesday night following the resignation of Fred W. Thiele Jr. as the village attorney, said Ms. Schroeder was not legally obligated to answer the question immediately.
When Mr. Kriegsman also questioned whether Mr. Warren’s report had analyzed the right figures, Ms. Schoen said she didn’t understand the question and asked him to put it in writing. “Whatever the answer is, we’ll provide it,” she promised.
For several reasons, including the recent resignation of the village attorney just one day earlier, the mayor asked that the hearing be held open for written comments for one week. Interested parties will have until Tuesday to submit comments to Beth Kamper, the village clerk.
The board will reconvene to discuss adopting the proposals at a special meeting, tentatively set for next Thursday. Ms. Schroeder said she wanted a full board to weigh in, and Ed Deyermond was away this week on a previously scheduled trip.