Beautification Association Fights for Canoe Place Inn, Names Officers

The Hampton Bays Beautification Association is fighting to preserve the Canoe Place Inn before developers can demolish the historic structure.

At its October meeting, the board and members argued that the inn, which sits on property owned by Mitchell and Gregg Rechler of R Squared LLC in Melville, should be preserved and development should take place on the west side of the canal behind the building to stem the possibility of over-development.

"Forty condos on the east side does not fit the community," said the group's executive vice president, Maud Kramer. "I'm against it."

The Rechlers have plans to demolish the building and begin construction on a timeshare complex on the site with as many of 75 units. An alternate plan would involve the developers taking an opportunity to become part of a Planned Development District, a mechanism put in place by the town board that allows development in exchange for creating a public benefit. This plan would prevent demolition of the building and allow it to be preserved as a historic structure. The agreement would also allow the Rechlers to build about 40 condos on the east side of the canal while preserving the structure of the inn. The building, which some argue has historic significance, could be demolished in the coming weeks.

However, last week's town board meeting, Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne Holst has called for a moratorium on planned development districts. Despite the threat of demolition of the structure, some agree with a moratorium on these district

"Perhaps in the future there should be no more PDDs," Kramer said. "There really are no public benefits. We're losing too much. We're giving up too much for this."

Hampton Bays Beautification treasurer John Zuccarelli argued about the historic significance of the site, saying that is has not received historic landmark designation.

The members voted unanimously to send a letter to the town board, drafted by von Freddi, asking that the building be preserved.

Separately, the association, led by President Susan von Freddi, elected its new slate of officers. By a unanimous vote, von Freddi, Secretary Kathleen Rossini and Directors Peg Campbell and Madeline O'Keefe will stay on the board, as there were no challenges following an August advertisement for new candidates. All candidates were re-elected to two-year terms.

Members also expressed sadness over the loss of long-time group member Ellen Carney, who passed away in September. Carney was the organization's president in 1996 and was one of the association's directors.