Southampton mayor proposes converting excess office zones into workforce housing

Mayor Bill Maner said Southampton Village's zoning map, drafted in the 1970s, left areas zoned for office use that could be repurposed for workforce housing to keep essential workers living in the village.

"If a teacher lived on Hampton Road, they could literally walk to either the elementary school, the intermediate school, or the high school," Maner said, noting that converting underused office zones near the central business district could reduce car trips and help teachers, doctors, nurses and first responders live closer to work.

Maner identified Hampton Road and North Sea Road as likely areas for conversion, and said the village is also working on pedestrian and bicycle improvements to make the village more walkable and bikeable. He tied the housing idea to changes in the way people work since 9/11 (as phrased in the interview), saying remote work has reduced demand for office space and opened possibilities for residential reuse.

The mayor said the village is "hoping we're going to get something a little bit further later this year" but did not present a formal plan, zoning amendment text, funding source or timeline on air. No council vote or formal municipal action was announced during the interview; Maner described planning and an intention to pursue options.

Why it matters: converting underused commercial zoning to workforce housing could affect local housing supply, commuting patterns and school-area access for service workers, but implementation would require zoning changes and likely additional municipal review and public hearings.