Village Latch Developers Move One Step Closer To Condominium Complex In Southampton Village

Plans to build a 19-unit condominium complex on the Village Latch Inn property were approved by the Southampton Village Zoning Board of Appeals last week, after numerous modifications to the plans over the course of about a year—though the decision split the board, 3-2.

ZBA members Rob Devinney, Dan Guzewicz and James Zuhusky all voted on Thursday, July 26, to allow the Beechwood Organization, which owns the property, the zoning relief needed to develop the condominium units on the nearly 5.5-acre piece of land just north of Hill Street. Board members Kevin Guidera and Mark Greenwald voted against the measure.

The Beechwood Organization, which was represented by Steven Dubb, was granted the ability to get a new certificate of occupancy for the property, changing it from a hotel use to a nonconforming condominium use.

Currently, the property is zoned to allow only single-family homes on lots of a half acre or larger. The hotel predated current zoning, so it was deemed a preexisting and nonconforming use. Switching to condominiums would be a multi-family use, which is not allowed under the current zoning.

The application to convert the property was in a holding pattern from December 2017 through February of this year, but modified plans have been presented numerous times since, each time whittling away the initial plans.

Originally, the plans called for the Village Latch Inn building—formerly the “Grand Annex” to the historic Irving Hotel on Hill Street—and what is known as the Terry Cottage on the property to be preserved mostly intact, though they would be converted into five condominium units. A clubhouse and pool were proposed to be built toward the front of the property, and 19 new units would be built behind the historic structures. The total number of units in the complex was to be 24.

The plans that were settled upon by the developer after listening to feedback from neighboring condominium owners at Whitefield, include a total of only 19 units. The developer also moved the pool and clubhouse toward the back of the property, and will preserve the Latch building and the Terry Cottage. The main building will be converted to condos; plans for the Terry Cottage are undetermined.

Many residents from Whitefield and other neighboring communities spoke out at a number of public hearings leading up to the board’s decision, stressing concerns about the added density to the property. Although relief was given, the gross floor area of all of the units totals 61,735 square feet, or 36,812 square feet more than what is allowed under the current zoning.

The majority of the ZBA members found that the development would benefit the village. Members found that going to a less intrusive nonconforming use, compared to the inn, would be an improvement, and that the development could bring more people to the village business district, according to the decision.

“Our project will deliver many benefits to Southampton Village, and our vision for the property is respectful of its history and adds value to today’s community,” Mr. Dubb said in an email on Friday. “Our proposed design allows for the restoration of two failing historic buildings to their former grandeur: the former Village Latch main building and Terry Cottage.”

Beechwood also plans to install a new innovative alternative wastewater treatment system that will reduce the amount of nitrogen leaching into the ground from the septic system, as approved by Suffolk County.

As part of the approval, Beechwood Organization actually is required to install the nitrogen-reducing system. It also is required to set aside two condominium units as affordable housing, find another site in the village to set up as workforce housing, or pay a fee to an affordable housing fund, as determined by the Planning Board.

“Our project will provide a much needed type of housing to allow residents of Southampton Village to stay in the village, and it will also be an improvement for an environmental and sewage point of view over what currently exists,” Mr. Dubb said. “We look forward to continuing to work with the village and community throughout the next steps in the process.”

While relief has been given, the process is far from done. In order to move forward with the project, Mr. Dubb and the Beechwood Organization need to get approval from the Planning Board and Architectural Review Board, along with the Suffolk County Department of Health.

The chairman of the ZBA, Mr. Devinney, did not immediately respond to requests to discuss the ZBA’s decision.