Seek to Curb ‘Excessive Use’

    In an effort to address concerns about density, lot coverage, and “excessive use of land,” the Sagaponack Village Board is considering a number of changes to its village code to deal with maximum building coverage, seasonal rentals, and coverage as it relates to accessory structures like swimming pools, playing courts, fences, walls, decks, and patios. A hearing on the changes will be held on Monday at 4 p.m. at Village Hall.

    Among other things, the changes on the table would define “building coverage” as the percentage of a lot covered by the ground floor area of all buildings, as measured from their exterior walls. “Lot coverage” would be defined as the portion of the property covered by buildings as well as parking areas, driveways, and other impermeable surfaces. The flagpole portion of a flag lot would not be included in lot coverage.

    Maximum building coverage and maximum lot coverage are both pinned to lot size.

    The changes also define a playing court as the court area as well as all “associated netting, fencing, backstops, decks, slabs, patios, pavilions, pergolas, open-walled roofed structures, and other improvements.” Included in the definition are tennis, handball, racquetball, and volleyball courts, as well as ice rinks and similar “facilities.” Bocce courts would not be included.

    If the proposed changes are passed, village code would allow seasonal rentals of less than 30 days only two times per year, requiring that those short-term rentals be for no less than two weeks.

    A full copy of the proposed legislation can be found on the village’s Web site at sagaponackvillage.org.