East Hampton Village has started a new one!
The Village of East Hampton has begun the process of creating a new comprehensive plan to set a vision for the future of the village and thereby guide future development and management. The plan couldn’t come at a better time, with development occurring at a breakneck pace in both the Village and Town of East Hampton. We commend Mayor Jerry Larsen, the village board and village planner Bill Hajek for initiating this.
The Mayor described the plan as follows:
“The East Hampton Village Comprehensive Plan is a roadmap for the future of our community. It places primary importance on neighborhoods, housing, historic preservation, support for local businesses, protection of our environment, and guidance for future transportation demands. The current plan was created on February 15th, 2002, and it is recommended that it should be updated every 20 years. It is an essential document for the Village and future generations.”
The Village of East Hampton is a historic, beautiful village with its elegant houses, well maintained greens, and tree-lined streets. One of the features that make the village special are the stunning ponds, wetlands, beaches, dunes, and meadows all within a short distance of the business district. These natural amenities must be preserved and protected for today and future generations. Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation is participating in the comprehensive planning process with an eye towards identifying and strengthening the natural resource protections in the village and especially Georgica Pond. With 68% of its shoreline in the village boundary and 16% of the pond’s watershed in the village, the future of Georgica Pond is dependent on good village planning and policy.
With so much Georgica Pond shoreline in the village it is essential that the current shoreline including native buffers and wetland habitat be protected. The Georgica and Hook Pond shorelines are important hiding, nesting and stalking places for wading birds and other species. Shoreline hardening removes this habitat and prevents shoreline migration as sea levels rise.
Ideal wildlife habitat can be found in many places in the village. Protecting native wetlands protects wildlife and guards against flooding and stormwater runoff into nearshore water bodies such as Georgica Pond. Such wetlands can be small or large and every remaining patch can serve as vital habitat. As an example, a muskrat family recently built a house in the small cattail marsh at Town Pond. We have to compliment them on their choice of location!
Stormwater Management
When rainwater and other precipitation lands on impervious surfaces such as roads, roofs and parking lots, it can’t percolate back into the groundwater and instead it flows downhill to storm drains or wetlands or directly into Georgica Pond such as at the end of Cove Hollow Road. A number of excellent stormwater remediation projects have already been completed in the village including the bioswale on the Village Green and the Methodist Lane bioswale and meadow. Completing the Cove Hollow stormwater remediation project and identifying other opportunities around the village is important to improving surface water quality throughout the village including Georgica Pond, Hook Pond, and Town Pond.
Reducing the amount of stormwater generated is a primary step and the plan should recommend porous pavers and permeable asphalt in parking lots and driveways where appropriate (low traffic areas).
Nitrogen Budget
Everyone is thinking about their carbon budget these days but it is also very important to be aware of nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen and to a lesser extent phosphorus are the key triggers to harmful algal blooms in village waterways. The comprehensive plan will address ways to mitigate nitrogen and phosphorus loading to groundwater and waterways. A sewage treatment plant and accelerating I/A septic system installations within the 10-year travel time of all wetlands should be considered in the plan. Enforcing existing laws and working with partners such as the Garden Club of East Hampton to educate landowners about the laws regulating the use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers is important for the water quality of Georgica Pond but also our drinking water which is sourced exclusively from groundwater.
Land Acquisition
The plan will identify all the vacant land remaining in the village. Small but critical parcels of vacant land still remain near wetlands, ponds, and existing parks. These should be prioritized for protection. Partnering with groups such as the Peconic Land Trust will stretch acquisition dollars.
Village Planner Billy Hajek commented,
“I am excited the Village of East Hampton has embarked on the process of updating our Comprehensive Plan and has selected BFJ planning to help guide us through the project. BFJ Planning has a tremendous amount of local experience, having completed comprehensive plans in multiple surrounding communities. One of the key elements to a successful plan is public involvement and I am thankful to Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation for participating and encouraging its members to take part in the process.”
To learn more visit https://ehvplan.wixsite.com/home. We encourage you to visit the website and attend the next public meeting this spring.