Neighbors raise safety and environmental concerns as Southampton planning board reviews Hampton Park Estates subdivision

The Southampton Town Planning Board on June 11 took an early look at Hampton Park Estates, a proposed four‑lot subdivision of a 10.657‑acre parcel in the CR80 zoning district at 471 North Cox Road. Attorney Martha Riker, representing the owner, said the applicant’s preferred reduced‑density plan would create four lots averaging roughly 2.6 acres and set aside conservation easements intended to preserve roughly 30% of the parcel’s mature woodland rather than an agricultural reserve.

Why it matters: Neighbors said the proposal would intensify use of a private road with a paved width they described as 18 feet, raise public‑safety and access concerns, and further fragment local habitat already affected by nearby development. The application also comes amid lingering questions about promises of affordable units tied to the adjacent Kamakudico subdivision and reports that trees have been removed on or near the site.

At the hearing, resident Perry Dalio, who said he lives at 471 North Cox Road, told the board that he received no mailed notice of the hearing and questioned the plan’s depiction of the road as a 30‑foot right‑of‑way when the paved width is 18 feet. "We never got a notice of the meeting in the mail," Dalio said, and warned that "an 18 ft road is not adequate for the existing subdivision, let alone this one." Sarah D., who spoke with Dalio, and other neighbors raised similar access and safety concerns.

Several residents also pressed environmental and preservation arguments. Katherine (Katie) Graham said nearby work connected to the Kamakudico subdivision had filled ponds and damaged wetlands and wildlife habitat, and asked the board to allow more time for review. "If you build those four lots out, where is the wildlife going to go?" she asked. Lisa Dennison, speaking by Zoom, told the board tree stumps and debris near her property indicate trees have already been removed.

Representing the applicant, Martha Riker said the parcel is not in recent agricultural production and that a conservation easement preserving mature woodland is preferable to an agricultural reserve that would require clearing. She also said she was not aware of any clear‑cutting on the Mayo property and that technical questions about road width and emergency access will be referred to the fire marshal and town engineer. The applicant noted that CR80 zoning requires a minimum lot size of 2 acres and that the proposed lots would average about 2.6 acres.

Community advisory committee concerns: North CAC members urged the board to confirm the disposition of three affordable units the developer of the adjacent Kamakudico subdivision had previously promised offsite to North Sea; Stephanie McMahon, identified as chair of the North CAC, said the CAC had not been told what happened to those lots and requested additional time to review whether commitments were honored.

Board action and next steps: Citing a substantial public turnout and several outstanding questions (notice delivery, road ownership and alleged tree removal), the board voted to leave the hearing open for a 30‑day written comment period and set a follow‑up hearing for July 23. The vote was recorded as 6 in favor, 0 opposed, one absent. The board said technical referrals and additional information (road ownership, conservation easement details, clearing history and any applicable covenants) would be required before a formal decision.

The planning board asked neighbors who observed tree clearing or other site activity to submit written comments and documentary evidence during the comment period. If the map advances, future applications for building permits and for grading under the town’s land disturbance rules will trigger additional review and permitting.