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Planning board supports town board's move to 1‑acre minimum for affordable multiple‑residence overlay, flags cost and inclusion concerns
Summary
Members broadly supported the town board’s increase of the affordable multiple‑residence overlay minimum lot size from 20,000 to 40,000 square feet and the addition of energy‑sustainability guidance, while noting the change may exclude some smaller infill opportunities and recommending a revisit after an initial pilot period.
The East Hampton Planning Board reviewed town board amendments to the draft code allowing "affordable multiple‑residence" uses within an overlay district and largely endorsed two changes: increasing the minimum lot area from approximately 20,000 sq ft to 40,000 sq ft (roughly one acre) and adding energy‑sustainability guidance for site design.
Planning staff summarized the changes and said the town board increased the minimum lot area and added language recommending sustainable landscaping (drought‑tolerant native species), solar‑ready siting and consideration of all‑electric building systems consistent with the New York State building and energy code. One board member objected that raising the minimum would exclude smaller properties that could provide affordable units; another member said starting at 40,000 and revisiting later was a prudent compromise.
Board discussion focused on whether sustainability language should be prioritized rather than mandated because of cost and site constraints; staff noted the chosen wording was written to avoid preemption by the state building code and to retain planning‑board discretion during site‑plan review. The board agreed to prepare comments for the town board and monitor the ordinance’s practical effects if adopted.
