PROTECTING OUR BAYFRONT
This message is regarding docks in the Village, particularly those on our bay front from Wincoma Beach to the eastern boundary of the Village.
Our past two Mayors often spoke about keeping the Village bay front natural, pristine and undeveloped. Mayor Spilsbury created a new section of the Village Code called the "Waterfront Preservation District” that defined an overlay zoning district on the bay front that imposed additional scrutiny on properties on the waterfront. I have followed both of my predecessors in protecting this part of our community and expanding that section of the Village Code.
The Village of Huntington Bay has always had several community docks, including at the Bay Crest Association, Nathan Hale Association, and The Bay Club. They serve hundreds of families who are members of those groups. The Bay Club dock is also an emergency drop off for the Coast Guard, Suffolk County Police and the Town’s Harbormaster. No other private docks have existed.
The Village has approved dock applications in the harbor. It has always been our belief that the harbor is developed and the docks that exist really do not impact the Village ambiance.
In the early 90s there was a dock application in Bay Crest. The dock was designed to begin seaward of the mean high-water mark and therefore the applicant claim was that it was not in the Village and the Village had no jurisdiction. The application went to the Town of Huntington. The Town Board held a hearing in September 1993 where numerous people spoke against the dock including the Village and the Bay Crest association. In the 1993 October Board meeting the Town Board denied application and the applicant commenced litigation against the Town of Huntington. The Court upheld the Town of Huntington’s decision which denied the application. This case laid out the reasons to deny a dock application in the bay front area of Huntington Bay.
There are two dock situations right now. Using the same design strategy, both applications sought to avoid the Village’s review. The first was approved by the Town Board in a 3-2 vote in November 2021. The Village has challenged that in court. The second was the subject of a Town Board hearing in July and will be voted on before the end of the year in one of the three remaining Town Board meetings. Should you have an opinion on this please communicate it to the Town Board.
In order to strengthen our position regarding dock construction we have submitted a document to the state called the Huntington Bay Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan. (LWRP) When approved, this plan will give us a stronger position over all dock applications and most importantly for docks from Wincoma to our eastern boundary.
I continue to speak to the Town in an attempt to get this administration to understand what is at stake in the Village. We are very concerned about development, aesthetics, and safety. We also want our legal jurisdiction respected.
My goal here in our Village communication was to make all residents aware of the issue. We will continue to provide updates. Our Village founders created this Village to control land use, development and the natural beauty of this great community. Their vision was to control our future. This is more important today than in 1924.
Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome. You can contact me by email (hmorrow@huntingtonbay.org) or cell at 631-742-5777.
Should you want any information about the 1993 Case, the current applications or the LWRP send a request to info@huntingtonbay.org. We can also provide you with emails for members of the Town Board so you can voice your opinion to them.
My best to all of you-
Herb Morrow
Mayor
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