County Agrees to Move Hills Property Purchase Forward

The Suffolk County Legislature moved forward Tuesday on a proposal to purchase 430 acres of undeveloped East Quogue property, known as the Hills, that sits just off Spinney Hills Road.

Proposed by Leg. Jay Schneiderman, I-Sag Harbor, the resolution authorizing necessary planning steps to bring the acquisition to fruition was approved with a vote of 17 legislators.

“I wasn’t sure what the vote would be,” said Schneiderman. “Seventeen saying yes is terrific.  We can now move forward to appraise the property and take all the steps necessary toward acquiring it.”

If the county is able to acquire the property, Schneiderman said, it could be the largest tract of land the county has ever purchased.

Schneiderman believes an appearance at the meeting by Southampton Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst and Councilwoman Bridget Flemming was a great help.

In order to purchase the property, the county would require a 50/50 funding match from the town of Southampton.

Schneiderman said he had hoped the town would pass a resolution authorizing a 50/50 match prior to the legislature meeting; however, he said that Throne-Holst and Flemming’s appearance was just as good.

During the legislative meeting, Throne-Host and Flemming testified that the acquisition of the property would have an enormous significance to the entire region and that with property values at an all time low, the time to buy is now.

Also at the meeting were members of the East Quogue Citizens Advisory Committee, who have long asked that the property be preserved, especially with developers poised to construct 82 homes on the land.

Joan Hughes, chair of the committee, said the property has spectacular views of the ocean and bay and is environmentally important.

The property, said Schneiderman, features not only pristine pine barrens, but also a glacial pool that consists of a fragile multi-layered aquifer.

Schneiderman says the county will look to use the county’s quarter-percent sales tax fund to buy the property, which is estimated to be valued at $15 million. The town would use its Community Preservation Fund for its half.

Schneiderman said he also plans to ask the state for additional funds.

“I know the state is broke, but it doesn’t hurt to ask,” he said.