Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sylvester Manor topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Heated public hearing at Shelter Island over Sylvester Manor site plan, parking and events
Summary
Sylvester Manor's site-plan review drew lengthy, divided public comment: town consultants requested final grading/drainage and revegetation details and proposed limits on visitor parking near wetlands; opponents criticized Manor's past permitting and conservation-easement funding, while supporters said the property provides community programming and needs board support.
The Shelter Island Town Board continued a contested public hearing on Sylvester Manor's site plan as residents and stakeholders delivered sharply divided testimony on conservation, parking within wetlands buffers and the scale of events held at the property.
Town environmental consultant Theresa Mason told the board that revised plans are largely compliant but recommended final grading and drainage plans and a detailed revegetation strategy before conditional approval. Mason also suggested screening mechanical equipment and flagged an ADA-parking area with a 2–4 foot grade change near wetlands that would require resolution. "Presently, they're only proposing...to transplant and then re-install the climbing roses," she said, and added that final grading and revegetation plans should be required prior to final conditional approval.
Speakers split between strong criticism and strong defense of the Manor's stewardship and activities. Opponent Mike Gaynor (S15) accused the Manor of operating historically without full permits, questioned how large conservation easement payments were spent, and urged the board to send the matter back to the Zoning Board of Appeals: "This thing's been allowed to operate illegally for 16 years," he said during approximately 20 minutes of remarks that cited multiple grants and easement transactions.
Supporters, including board members of the Manor and local residents, said the organization serves broad community needs and asked the town for a workable path to complete preservation and repairs. "We would like to preserve this treasure, and we have a lot of the money to do it," said a Manor board member urging the town to proceed with site improvements and careful conditions.
The board debated process options: some members said conditions addressing visitor parking near the 75-foot wetland buffer could be drafted (for example, post-and-rail delineation or limiting visitor parking in the eastern unpaved parking area), while Manor representatives asked to retain the ability to allow temporary vendor and maintenance access for events and operations. The board closed the hearing for public comment and signaled it would treat outstanding issues — parking delineation, grading and final landscape plans — as work-session items to be refined with staff and counsel before any final approval.
