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Water Mill residents, CAC press board over Camino Gardens outdoor seating and alleged unpermitted work
Summary
Camino Gardens proprietors asked to legalize outdoor pavers and 40 seasonal seats at an existing restaurant in Water Mill; CAC and abutters alleged unpermitted construction, noisy events and deficient notice. The board extended the written comment period to 45 days.
Water Mill — The Southampton Town Planning Board on June 25 heard public comment on a presubmission conference for Camino Gardens, a restaurant at 755 Montauk Highway seeking approval to formalize outdoor pavers and 40 seasonal seats.
Jody Gigglio of Bennett Enterprises, representing the applicant Zoey Hospitality LLC, said the prior agent failed to send required certified mailings and asked to adjourn to the next meeting so mailings could be corrected. Gigglio said the owners hold a certificate of occupancy for a restaurant and are seeking to legalize the existing back patio pavers and outdoor seating.
Members of the Water Mill Community Advisory Committee urged careful review. “The primary concern for everyone is what activities are actually permitted at this location? What signage, sculptures, and advertising are allowed on the front lawn? And is all of that clear to the applicant and anyone who’s renting the space?” said Rachel Verno, who noted the CAC had submitted a detailed letter documenting more than a year of community complaints, including events over Memorial Day weekend and difficulties enforcing code violations.
Gloria Rabininoitz, also speaking for the CAC and abutters, presented a letter alleging significant noise and neighborhood disruption, unpermitted construction, failure to maintain public notice, aesthetic harm to a historic property and an “operator’s strategy of building first and asking for forgiveness later.” The letter requested denial of the outdoor seating expansion, removal of the newly installed patio and lighting, and code enforcement action.
Gigglio told the board the new proprietors intend to comply with town code and are addressing outstanding building and fire prevention items with staff; she said lighting and site plan details will be reviewed as part of the site plan application process.
Procedural outcome: the board closed the presubmission conference and extended the written comment period to 45 days to allow additional outreach and staff review (motion by Dennis; second by Leslie). The vote was recorded as five in favor, two absent.
What happens next: planning staff will compile written comments during the 45‑day period and prepare the presubmission report; outstanding building and fire permitting issues will continue to be addressed by the owner and town staff.
