A Southampton Village Planning Board public hearing to consider an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant entrance at 230 Elm Street, the former Southampton Polish Hall, has been rescheduled.
The hearing, originally planned for Monday, May 2, will now be held on May 16, during the board’s 5:30 p.m. meeting at Southampton Village Hall. The new date allows adequate time to publish a legal notice announcing the hearing.
The fact that a hearing is being held at all was a matter of some debate.
The attorney for the applicant, caterer Elegant Affairs, had asked the Planning Board to waive a hearing, as the board was allowed to do. He warned that neighbors who are opposed to Elegant Affairs operating at 230 Elm Street will co-opt the hearing to air complaints that are not related to the narrow application for an ADA-compliant ramp.
The Planning Board ultimately voted April 4 to schedule a hearing, but Chairman Anthony Piazza said he would limit speakers to three minutes and “close down the conversation” if they veer off-topic.
“It’s too hot a topic, and we will do the best we can to move it forward after that hearing,” he continued.