A new law in ritzy Southampton banned locals from building private boat docks along a 14-mile stretch of Peconic Bay, a blow to big-money newcomers who want their waterfront mansions to have water access.
The town board’s 5-0 vote Tuesday comes amid concerns that well-to-do recent arrivals are tearing down modest homes and shacks along the water and replacing them with upscale mansions — and want a place to tie up their yachts, The Sag Harbor Express reported.
At least three private docks have been built without town permits over the past two years, with a fourth under construction, according to the outlet.
The bay’s winds and waves can cause severe damage to boat docks and turn them into debris and eyesores that can pose environmental hazards, but mild winters in recent years have convinced some waterfront property owners to throw caution to the wind and put them up anyway.
However, the town’s concerns resurfaced after bouts of icy winter weather this year.
“It’s an interesting issue, but we feel we are in the right place on this one,” Southampton Town Attorney James Burke told The Express. “And if any winter shows you why, it was this one.”
At least two property owners have been hit with citations for violating town law.
Meanwhile, town Supervisor Maria Moore told Newsday that the new dock restriction was also inspired by environmental concerns and a desire to keep local beaches accessible to local residents.
“It’s an important step in fulfilling our responsibility to protect our environmental and aesthetic resources,” she said. “By enacting the ban, we’re preserving the rights of all residents to access the public beaches.”
