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East Hampton advisory board reviews multiple housing measures including ADU loan, tax break and staff housing limits
Summary
At its March 25 meeting the Community Housing Advisory Board discussed accessory staff housing constraints tied to county septic limits, an ADU construction loan program with proposed income caps, a tax phase‑in for new ADUs (public hearing April 16), and town code work on employer‑sponsored rent‑restricted housing.
The Community Housing Advisory Board met March 25 to review several local housing initiatives intended to expand rental and employee housing options in East Hampton.
Committee Chair Andrew Garvey said the agenda covered accessory staff housing, an accessory‑dwelling‑unit (ADU) construction loan program, a proposed tax exemption for properties adding ADUs, and development of town code provisions for rent‑restricted employer‑sponsored housing. No formal votes or final approvals are recorded in the meeting minutes.
Denise Schoen told the committee that county health department septic flow limitations will constrain the addition of accessory staff housing on many business properties and recommended consulting the health department about customized septic calculations for this housing category. Aaron Weil supported the concept as part of a "multi‑pronged approach," and Garvey said the town must address enforcement of any regulations governing accessory staff housing. Staffer Mark Morgan‑Perez said there had not been direct outreach to the business community and that earlier work relied on anecdotal information.
The minutes note the ADU construction loan program remains under Town Board discussion; several board members have suggested including a maximum income limit for property owners or loan recipients in the final program criteria. The Town Board is also considering a tax exemption or phased tax relief for properties that add ADUs, and the minutes record a public hearing on that topic scheduled for April 16, 2026.
Committee members also noted the Town Board is developing code provisions for rent‑restricted employer‑sponsored housing, though the minutes do not specify program mechanics, funding sources, or an implementation timeline.
The committee listed a review of February month‑end financial reports on the agenda but the minutes provide no details from that review. Members also agreed to distribute annual ethics disclosure statements for completion and submission to the town. The meeting concluded with executive‑session items listed in the minutes; those items concerned a possible town repurchase of a Home Ownership Program house and discussion of a potential joint purchase of vacant parcels by the Community Housing Fund and Community Preservation Fund for housing and open space, with no public outcomes recorded.
