Letters

At the Southampton Village Board meeting held on November 14, a resolution passed to fund a study to identify contributing and noncontributing structures in a historic district expansion of neighborhoods, identified as Phase 1.

I believe more detailed information needs to be given to the public — in particular those homeowners who will be affected.

As indicated in the resolution, in 2022, a firm named Preservation Studios conducted a Reconnaissance Level Survey for the Board of Architectural Review and Historic Preservation and identified four major expansion areas for the historic district, as follows:

Phase 1, Southern Expansion: East of Main Street, including Cameron, Walnut, Pine, Oak, and Burnett streets, over to Lewis Street and Rogers Avenue, Meeting House Lane, Herrick, and parts of Little Plains Road, Old Town, Post Crossing, Old Town Crossing, Toylsome Lane, and parts of Windmill Lane.

Northwest Expansion: The area north of Hill Street centered on Halsey Street, including Armande, Henry, Moses and Cooper streets.

Phase 2, The Hill Historic District: The area north of the Long Island Rail Road centered on Hillcrest Avenue, Hillcrest Terrace, Miller Road and Windward Way.

Northeast Expansion: The northern stretches of Elm Street, Maple, Wooley, Van Brunt, and John streets, Jennings, Layton, and Pulaski avenues. Osborne and Halsey avenues and the western stretch of Pelletreau, West Prospect, High Street, Prospect, North Main, Eel Pot Alley, Layton Avenue, Maple Street, Pulaski Street, Hampton Road are also included in this area.

Although being part of a historic district is an important preservation tool, it also requires homeowners to accept additional restrictions.

I am of the opinion that the homeowners that are being included in these expansions should be duly notified at this time and informed what is required of them in the event that their property is listed as a contributing or noncontributing structure within the identified neighborhoods.

I think we all agree on the importance of preserving the village’s historic character. My concern, however, is not just about consultation after the fact but ensuring that homeowners have a proactive understanding of what being part of a historic district will mean for them.

This is a significant responsibility we’re asking them to take on, and it’s only fair that they have clear, comprehensive information up front so they’re not caught off guard by unexpected requirements and restrictions to what can be done with their homes, and have an opportunity to express their opinion concerning inclusion in an expanded historic district before the process is finalized.

Ed Simioni

Trustee

Southampton Village