[Amended 5-13-1986 by L.L. No. 7-1986; 9-26-1995 by L.L. No. 46-1995; 10-8-1996 by L.L. No. 35-1996; 6-9-1998 by L.L. No. 14-1998; 9-26-2000 by L.L. No. 13-2000; 10-23-2001 by L.L. No. 42-2001; 12-12-2003 by L.L. No. 74-2003; 5-8-2007 by L.L. No. 25-2007]
A. Purpose. In accordance with the provisions of Town Law §§
261-a and
261-b, this section authorizes the Planning Board or, in the instance of carriage houses, the Chief Building Inspector, upon consultation with the Town's Planning and Development Administrator, to increase density on certain parcels as receiving sites for development rights or Pine Barrens Credits (PBC) pursuant to Articles
X and
XXIV of this chapter or to increase residential density if the project proposes the construction of community benefit units as that term is defined in Chapter
216 of this Code. In connection with the transfer of development rights or PBCs, the Planning Board and, where appropriate, the Chief Building Inspector are further authorized to consider and modify the dimensional regulations of this Code without the necessity of Town Board review and approval.
B. Zoning district eligibility. The following residential and nonresidential zoning districts are eligible to utilize the density incentive provisions of this section if they comply with the minimum acreage requirements as set forth herein:
(1) Residential districts.
CR-120 | R-120 |
CR-80 | R-80 |
CR-60 | R-60 |
CR-40 | R-40 |
*CR-200 | R-20 |
NOTE: |
*A density incentive requiring a transfer of development rights or PBCs may be authorized in the CR-200 District when the development rights or PBCs originate in the CR-200 District. |
(2) Nonresidential districts.
[Amended 5-24-2016 by L.L. No. 9-2016]
(HB) | Highway Business |
(OD) | Office District |
(VB) | Village Business |
(SCB) | Shopping Center Business |
(LI-40, LI-200) | Light Industrial |
(HO) | Hamlet Office/Residential |
(HC) | Hamlet Commercial/ Residential |
(a) In the case of a transfer of development rights or PBCs, wherein the Planning Board may increase lot yield, lot coverage, floor area, height or building mass, said Board is authorized to do so in nonresidential districts pursuant to the following criteria:
(i) At least one development right or PBC is transferred to the site;
(ii) The lot to receive the density incentive has a minimum lot area of one acre;
(iii) The total yield shall be the sum of the yield for the receiving parcel plus the equivalent value of the transfer of development rights or PBCs as set forth in Chapter
244;
(iv) Each development right or PBC shall be equivalent to a sewage water flow rate of 300 gallons per acre per day as described in the Suffolk County Department of Health Services standards and/or up to a two-percent increase in building coverage, floor area, height or building mass. A total increase in building coverage, floor area or height exceeding 10% of the maximum for the zone shall not be permitted;
(v) The site requirements for water supply and sewage disposal shall be approved by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services; and
(vi) A written application shall be submitted to the Planning Board in compliance with the site plan and hearing requirements as stated in §§
330-182 through
330-184.
(3) Density incentives shall not be authorized on lands within the Core Preservation Area of the Central Pine Barrens Overlay District or the Tidal Wetlands and Ocean Beach Overlay District.
[Amended 12-11-2012 by L.L. No. 16-2012]
C. General standards. All density incentives shall meet and be subject to the following general standards.
(1) In the case of transferring either development rights or pine barrens credits to the site, each development right or PBC so transferred shall authorize the Planning Board or the Chief Building Inspector under Subsection
D(4) to increase the allowable density by one lot or unit, provided the development right or PBC originated in the Town of Southampton and the same school district, with the following exceptions:
| a. The transfer is to a commercial property for purposes of providing additional sewage credits; or |
| b. The transfer is out of the Town of Southampton to a site in another town. |
The Planning Board or Chief Building Inspector under Subsection (D)4 is authorized to transfer development rights or PBCs from one side of the Shinnecock Canal to the other within the same school district. |
(2) In consideration of subdivisions, the Planning Board may authorize a maximum density increase of 30% where development rights or PBCs are used. Notwithstanding, where the permitted yield is three lots or less, the Planning Board may authorize one additional building lot, provided that a full development right or PBC is transferred to the site. Each additional development right or PBC transferred to the site shall allow one additional lot or dwelling unit. In addition, the Planning Board may authorize a maximum density increase of up to 50% of the as-of-right yield for community benefit units.
(3) Density incentives may be authorized where the Planning Board or the Chief Building Inspector under Subsection
D(4) determines, after consultation with the Town's Planning and Development Administrator, that the development will be beneficial, compatible and harmonious with the surrounding land uses and will not adversely affect the environment or any special assessment district in which the subject parcel is located, and density incentives shall be consistent with the recommendations of the Town of Southampton Comprehensive Plan.
(4) The Planning Board and the Chief Building Inspector under Subsection
D(4), of this section, may modify the dimensional regulations of the zoning district to permit increased density in accordance with the specific standards listed hereunder. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit the existing authority of the Planning Board or the Chief Building Inspector under Subsection
D(4) of this section to control the design of subdivisions or site plans.
(5) The Planning Board and the Chief Building Inspector under Subsection
D(4) shall each have the authority to require the applicant or owner to submit the documentation required under this chapter, Chapter
244 or elsewhere to foster the transfer or redemption of development rights or PBCs.
(6) The Planning Board or the Chief Building Inspector under Subsection
D(4), upon consultation with the Town's Planning and Development Administrator, may require the applicant or owner to execute such agreements and covenants as may be necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter or other applicable law. Said agreements or covenants shall be recorded in the Office of the Suffolk County Clerk and shall constitute a covenant running with the land. Such covenant or agreement may be modified or released only as set forth in said covenant or agreement or by a simple majority vote of the Town Board.
(7) Any proposals seeking to utilize the density incentives set forth herein shall be in writing and accompany the subdivision or site plan application to the Planning Board or, in the instance of a carriage house, shall be to the Chief Building Inspector and accompany the building permit application.
D. Specific standards.
(1) Increased subdivision yield utilizing the affordable housing incentive. In addition to meeting the general standards as listed in §
330-9C above, where the density incentive is sought in connection with the project's proposal to build affordable housing, at least 40% of the additional dwelling units shall be community benefit units, as defined by Chapter
216. In its determination of such an application, the Planning Board shall consider the following in consultation with the Department of Land Management:
[Amended 8-12-2008 by L.L. No. 47-2008]
(a) The need for affordable housing in the particular hamlet;
(b) Whether the applicant has demonstrated:
i. The appropriateness of the proposed site;
ii. The environmental suitability of the site; and
iii. That the density incentive subdivision plan protects community character.
(c) The adequacy of applicable public resources pursuant to Town Law.
(d) Consistency with the Town of Southampton's affordable housing goals as set forth in the Comprehensive Plan. In conformance with the Comprehensive Plan, the Planning Board shall encourage placement of affordable housing where it is most scarce. The Planning Board may only authorize a density incentive after it makes findings that:
i. The density incentive does not result in an adverse impact on the affected school district or other special assessment district; or
ii. The Planning Board authorizes, by resolution, a waiver that states the proposed development implements or furthers other objectives of the Town of Southampton Comprehensive Plan, including upgrading existing affordable housing stock and revitalization of existing dwellings in blighted areas.
(e) Density incentive for affordable housing shall only be authorized in those hamlets where the population density is equal to or less than 500 persons per square mile, exclusive of land owned by the state, county or Town as open space or park land. The Decennial Federal Census shall be the source of the population numbers.
(f) Eligibility. The Planning Board shall insure affordable housing projects are subject to the eligibility, resale and sustainable affordability restrictions consistent with Chapter
216 and §
330-11.1 of this chapter, as applicable. The Planning Board may waive certain provisions of the eligibility priority for set-aside dwellings and dwelling units where federal or state subsidies are being utilized by the developer to reduce the purchase price to qualified first-time home buyers, provided it is demonstrated that said subsidy precludes the specified eligibility preference, upon the advice of the Department of Land Management.
(2) Increased subdivision yield utilizing the transfer of development rights or pine barrens credits incentive. In addition to meeting the general standards of §
330-9C, the Planning Board may increase the density for subdivision yield using the following standards:
(a) A maximum increase of 30% may be authorized when development rights or PBCs are transferred to the site as authorized under Chapters
292 and
244 of the Town Code, where requirements of this section are complied with. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where the permitted yield is three lots or less, the Planning Board may authorize one additional building lot, provided that at least one development right or PBC is transferred to the site and where all other requirements of this section are complied with.
(b) The site on which the density incentive for increased subdivision yield is to be authorized shall be no less than 10 acres in the CR-200 Zone and no less than six acres in the CR-120, CR-80, CR-60, R-120, R-80 and R-60, CR-40, R-40 and R-20 Zones.
(c) When additional density is authorized, the dimensional requirements shall be determined by the Planning Board and indicated on the approved plan and shall not be less restrictive than those required in the R-15 Residential Zone when subdividing land in all other zones greater than R-20. However, nothing herein shall limit the provisions of Chapter
247, Open Space.
(3) Subdivision into two undersized lots. The Planning Board may only authorize the subdivision of a single parcel of land into two nonconforming lots provided that at least one development right or PBC is transferred to the site. Further, in addition to meeting all the general standards set forth in §
330-9C above, the Planning Board must find that such density incentive meets the following standards:
(a) A minimum of five acres shall be required to seek a density incentive to establish two nonconforming lots in the CR-200 Zone and three acres in the CR-120 and R-120 Zones. In all other eligible zones, the site shall not be less than 1 1/2 times the minimum lot size of the zoning district.
(b) The dimensional requirements shall be established by the Planning Board, delineated on the approved plan, and shall not be less restrictive than those required in the R-15 Residential Zone for subdivision of land in the R-20 Residential Zone or the R-20 Residential Zone for the subdivision of land in the R-40 or CR-40 Zones, and the R-40 Residential Zone for the subdivision of land in all other zones higher than R-40. However, nothing herein shall limit the use of Chapter
247, Open Space, on said lands, provided that all the provisions of that chapter are met.
(c) The Planning Board shall conduct at least one public hearing on the application, and the application shall comply with all preapplication, submission and notice requirements consistent with Chapter
292 and §
330-164I(1).
(4) Carriage houses. The Chief Building Inspector may only authorize a density incentive for two dwellings on one lot (one principal and one accessory dwelling on one lot) where one or more development right or PBC is transferred to the site. The development right or PBC transfer shall not be required when one of the two dwellings is a designated Town landmark, pursuant to Town Code §
330-321, and the Town Board has determined to extinguish a Town-owned development right in favor of the application. Further, in addition to the general standards listed in §
330-9C above, the Chief Building Inspector shall determine that such development (carriage house) meets the following criteria:
[Amended 6-24-2014 by L.L. No. 20-2014]
(a) The minimum lot area required for the addition of a carriage house shall be three acres in the CR-200, CR-120 and R-120 Zones and not less than 1 1/2 times the minimum lot size of the zoning district in all other eligible zones.
(b) The principal dwelling shall comply with all applicable dimensional requirements of the code; however, the Chief Building Inspector may approve an application where a preexisting principal dwelling does not meet the applicable dimensional regulations when the proposed carriage house meets all of the principal dwelling setbacks.
[1] When the preexisting principal dwelling is a designated Town landmark pursuant to Town Code §
330-321 and is proposed to be converted to a carriage house in its preexisting location, said historic structure designated as a Town landmark shall not be required to meet the applicable dimensional regulations, provided the proposed new principal dwelling meets all required principal setbacks.
(c) The carriage house shall have a front yard setback of at least 10 feet greater than the principal dwelling setback. The carriage house shall have a side yard setback of not less than 30 feet and a rear yard setback of not less than 50 feet.
(d) Lot coverage may be increased by the Chief Building Inspector by no more than 2% However, except as explicitly authorized herein, the applicant must in be in conformance with all other applicable zoning regulations.
(e) The carriage house may be one or two stories or added to the second floor of an accessory garage when the maximum height of the building does not exceed 24 feet.
(f) The total floor area of the carriage house shall not exceed 50% of the floor area of the principal dwelling or a maximum of 3,000 square feet, exclusive of decks, stairways, patios or other unroofed portions of the structure.
(g) The method of water supply and sewage disposal for the two dwellings shall be approved by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.
(h) Access to the principal dwelling and carriage house shall be limited to one driveway.
(i) When possible, new utility lines shall be shared; however, any new utilities to the carriage house shall be placed underground.
(j) A parcel consisting of a principal structure and carriage house shall not be further subdivided.
(k) Town Board evaluation of an application to extinguish a Town-owned development right in relation to a carriage house designated or proposed to be designated as a Town landmark pursuant to Town Code §
330-321 shall be as follows:
[1] All applications to extinguish a Town-owned development right in relation to a carriage house designated as a Town landmark shall be available from and submitted to the Department of Land Management and forwarded to the Town Board for review.
[2] Application to extinguish a Town-owned development right may be made at the same time as application for designation as a Town landmark, or separately.
[3] The Town Board may only extinguish a Town-owned development right in favor of an application concerning a proposal of a carriage house to be designated as a Town landmark, or a carriage house designated as a Town landmark, after a public hearing in accordance with this section.
[4] In making a determination under this section, the Town Board may obtain and consider written reports from the Department of Land Management and such other sources as required in the judgment of the Town Board and consistent with the purpose of this section.
[5] The Town Board may require covenants or other similar documents to assure that the provisions of this article are adhered to.
[6] Any transfer of a Town-owned development right pursuant to this section shall be subject to 6 NYCRR Part
617, provisions of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), and Chapter
157 of the Town Code (Environmental Quality Review).
[7] Hearing; notice; action during process.
[a] The Town Board shall hold such a public hearing within 60 days of receipt of a complete application.
[b] The Town Board shall fix a time and place for a public hearing thereon and shall provide for the giving of notice at least 10 days prior to the date thereof in accordance with this section.
[c] Notice shall be published in the official Town newspaper at least 10 days prior to the date of the public hearing.
[d] The Town Board shall require the applicant to erect a white-and-black-lettering sign or signs measuring not less than two feet long and one foot wide, which shall be prominently displayed on the premises facing each public street on which the property abuts, giving notice that an application for extinguishing a Town-owned development right in relation to a carriage house designated or proposed to be designated as a Town landmark is pending and the date, time and place where the public hearing will be held. The sign shall not be set back more than 10 feet from the street line and shall not be less than two nor more than six feet above the grade at the street line. The sign shall be made of durable material and shall be furnished by the Department of Land Management. It shall be displayed for a period of not less than 10 days immediately preceding the public hearing date. No additional posting shall be required for any adjournment date. The applicant shall file an affidavit that he/she has complied with the provisions of this section.
[e] If the land involved in an application is within 500 feet of the boundary of any other municipality, notice of the public hearing shall also be mailed to the Municipal Clerk of such other municipality.
[f] The Town Board shall require the applicant to mail written notice of the date, time and place of the hearing, together with a copy of the application and survey submitted to the Town Board, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to every property owner, as shown on the current Town of Southampton assessment rolls, of parcels abutting and parcels directly opposite (by extension of lot lines through a street or right-of-way) of the property which is the subject of the application, proof of which shall be submitted to the Town Board on or before the commencement of the public hearing in the form of an affidavit with postal receipts annexed thereto confirming mailing of said notices at least 10 days prior to the hearing date.
[g] The Town Board shall render a determination within 45 days of the close of the public hearing and written record.