Planning board approves release of two Gil Farm lots with $30,000 cash surety

The Southampton Planning Board on June 3 agreed to release Lots 5 and 6 in the Gil Farm subdivision in exchange for a $30,000 cash surety that will be reduced if the developer completes identified work to the satisfaction of the board and the highway superintendent.

The board heard from an attorney for the developer, who said the owner had buyers lined up and requested lot release so closings could proceed. Town consultant John Ferman and staff member Randall described visible deficiencies at the site, including dead tree replacement, erosion-control problems, and stormwater cleanouts that have not been maintained. Ferman advised that the town should not accept the roadway until those items are addressed.

Chair explained the board’s longstanding administrative practice that the chairman may endorse building permits for disturbances under the 40,000 sq ft threshold, but that subdivision and street-acceptance issues must be resolved separately. After discussion over a range of proposed security amounts — from contractor estimates cited at roughly $3,500 for limited repairs to board members’ precautionary placeholders up to $40,000 — the board agreed on a $30,000 cash surety to allow sales to proceed while the town documents and follows up on outstanding work.

Motion language read into the record said the cash surety would be reduced if work is completed to the board’s and highway superintendent’s satisfaction; the item will be revisited at the board’s June 24 meeting when the town expects more detailed estimates from staff and the consultant. Jim Lee moved the release; Mark Darnold seconded the motion and the board voted in favor.

What’s next: the board will require the formal cash-surety paperwork to be filed with the town clerk/treasurer and expects a list of deficiencies and contractor estimates from staff before the June 24 meeting. Street acceptance remains unresolved and will be handled separately from the lot-release action.

Clarifying details: the board discussed the town’s 40,000 sq ft disturbance trigger for stormwater permitting and confirmed the developer’s stated willingness to post cash in lieu of retaining lots. The exact itemized estimate for all remaining work was not available at the meeting and will be presented at a future session.

Ending: the board’s conditional lot release lets two pending home sales proceed while preserving the town’s ability to require completion or to draw on posted funds if the developer does not finish the required corrections.