Community Corner

Community Groups Rescind Support for Canoe Place in Proposal

Do you think the community groups made the right decision?

Two community groups in Hampton Bays, which previously supported a controversial plan to develop the Canoe Place Inn property with some 40 townhouses on the canal, are singing a new tune. 

On Facebook this week, both the Concerned Citizens of Hampton Bays and The Hampton Bays Beautification Association announced that going forward, they will remain neutral. 

In making their respective opinions known, both groups agreed that the Canoe Place Inn project has the community and their memberships divided and that they simply can't speak for all. 

On its page, the Hampton Bays Beautification Association, wrote, "The Hampton Bays Beautification Association as an organization no longer supports the Canoe Place Inn MPDD application. The Board of Directors has decided it is inappropriate for them to decide either for or against the Canoe Place Inn MPDD for the entire membership of 1170 members."

Prior to its decision this week, the board had thrown support to the project and had worked with the developers cousins Gregg and Mitchell Rechler to restore the Canoe Place Inn building, which was planned to be knocked down. 

The Rechler's eventually agreed and submitted a new plan to the town. That plan includes the townhouses, an amenity building, a pool, a private marina and a sewage treatment system on 7.2-acres of canal property they own, as well as the restoration of the historic Canoe Plan Inn, which they said will be transformed into a catering facility, complete with a 200-seat restaurant with bar area, and 20 units for overnight accommodations.

The Concerned Citizens of Hampton Bays, which a week ago, reiterated support for that plan, relayed similar sentiments to the beautification association, stating on its Facebook page that after a board of directors meeting on Saturday, it was decided that the issues surrounding the Canoe Place Inn proposal has "diverted the group's main objective."

The board wrote, "We will, of course, continue to diligently monitor developments on the pending MPDD, but no opinions will be expressed under the CCHB logo."

Both organizations did urge community members to continue to express their opinions on the project to the Southampton Town Board and to attend a public hearing, scheduled for Oct. 22 at 6:00 p.m. 

Patch wants to know: Do you think the community groups are making the right decision by remaining neutral? Comment below. 
 


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