SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A Southampton town board member has announced the introduction of a land disturbance ordinance aimed at curbing “unfettered development” and impacts to the town’s natural resources.
Southampton Town Councilman Michael Iasilli introduced the legislation at Thursday’s town board work session, in response to advocacy by the community spanning years, he said.
For decades, he believes, Southampton has witnessed a “shift ‘in its rural and coastal character due to large-scale clearing and the destruction of vegetation to make way for structures often out of scale with existing neighborhoods.
The new legislation establishes a permitting process designed to balance property owners’ development goals with the collective responsibility to preserve the town’s shared natural heritage, Iasilli said.
“Our rural and natural features are an integral part of Southampton’s identity,” said Iasilli. “Indiscriminate land disturbance doesn’t just hurt the environment — it leads to soil erosion, flooding of adjacent properties, and the loss of critical wildlife habitat. This ordinance is long overdue and ensures that development is orderly, balanced, and respectful of the terrain that defines our community.”
The proposed law applies to significant land disturbances on residential and commercial lots, while exempting smaller properties to minimize the burden on average homeowners.
The legislation outlines various points:
Regulated Areas: Permits are required for disturbances greater than 500 sq. ft. on residential lots larger than ½ acre, and greater than 1,000 sq. ft. on commercial lots larger than 1 acre.
Protection of “Significant Trees”: The bill specifically protects healthy trees at least 25 feet tall or with a diameter of 18 inches (DBH), requiring preservation to the “furthest extent practicable.”
Mitigating Hazards: The ordinance addresses the dangerous trend of major grade changes and the excessive use of retaining walls/berms that disrupt natural drainage patterns and impact neighboring properties.
Exemptions for Safety: Activities such as removing hazardous/dead trees, wildfire safety clearing, agricultural maintenance, and emergency septic repairs remain exempt from the permitting process.
Under the proposal, a land disturbance permit must be approved before a building permit can be authorized, marking a major shift that is aimed at reducing the “proliferation” of stop work orders and development before the official process, he said.
Violations of the ordinance carry significant weight, with penalties up to $3,000 per offense, per day, and the potential for a “blight mitigation surcharge.”
“Preserving our environment is a shared responsibility,” Iasilli continued. “By creating a clear process for oversight — utilizing GIS mapping and field inspections — we are protecting the quality of our forest canopy and the stability of our soil for future generations.”
The town board is expected to schedule a public hearing on the issue after input is gathered by all board members, and will allow residents to weigh in.
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