Westhampton Beach Village Responds to Hamptons Business District Proposal

At their monthly work session on Wednesday night, the Westhampton Beach Village Trustees discussed developers Greg and Mitchell Rechler’s proposal to create a business and technology center in the Hampton Business District at Gabreski Airport.

The Rechlers were on hand at a to field questions about the project, which is under the town of Southampton’s jurisdiction.

While the village does not have a direct say in what happens on the property, the trustees decided to send a letter to the town highlighting some issues they have with the project.

The trustees agreed that two 6-by-16-foot signs the Rechlers are asking to place at the entrance to the business district are simply too large.

Trustees also questioned the name, Hampton Business District, saying  it may confuse people as to where they are — Westhampton.

Trustee Hank Tucker, who is seeking re-election for his village seat, raised two other questions.

“Emergency services. I’d like to see their plan,” he said.

Tucker brought up the subject at the May 5 meeting, asking if the Rechlers would sit down with the village’s emergency services to work out a plan in case their services are ever need at the site. The Rechlers agreed to set something up.

Tucker also said he would like to see a transportation hub at the site. 

“Buses are very important. They are used by our residents and the surrounding community,” he said.

The Rechlers indicated they would explore a bus hub, but could not make any promises.

Currently, the Hampton Business District proposal is on hold while the town explores a request by the Rechlers to amend Gabreski Airport’s Planned Development District to allow for taller buildings.

Under existing legislation buildings can be 35 feet or two stories. The Rechlers have asked that the to allow for 43-foot tall buildings or three stories.

The Rechlers, who are also the developers of the property in Hampton Bays, are co-signers on a 40-year lease for the 430,000-square-foot business and technology center with Suffolk County.