| Issue #50, March 23, 2007 |
Real Estates
with Diane Strecker
Preserving open space has long been of paramount concern here on the East End. Because the value of land has risen so rapidly, developers are eager to build here in hopes of earning lofty profits. The local government has been forced to become increasingly scrutinizing of approvals in recent years, and to pay close attention to sensitive environmental concerns that threaten the area. Organizations such as the Peconic Land Trust, have been aiding East End communities in this crusade since 1983. Since that time they have preserved 8,300 acres in the Riverhead sector alone. In 2006, The Peconic Land Trust successfully conserved another 206 acres of farmland and open space within the Riverhead Township, from Calverton to Jamesport, in conjunction with landowners, communities, and local governments. Ten of the most well-known farm families on the North Fork were among those who participated in numerous programs, such as the Community Preservation Program, and contributed to grants from the New York State agricultural markets, enabling them to protect many acres of precious farmland that had been family-owned for generations. One of the properties included in a recent purchase to protect family farms is a 27-acre farm on Sound Avenue in Jamesport known as Harbes Farm. Another 26 acres in Calverton, owned by Herbert Hulse, and an additional 60-acre sod farm owned by the Edwards family (soon to be purchased by Delea), were also included in the acquisition. Seven other farm families participated in the purchase in order to save their land from eventual development, leaving the East End a little greener for posterity.
The East End must struggle with delicately balancing progress and preservation more and more each year as the pressure of development pushes further East. Groups like the Peconic Land Trust work toward fostering relationships between governments, business owners and perspective buyers so that they understand the big picture when it comes to purchasing or developing large parcels of land.
Visitors must keep in mind that preserving the natural beauty on the East End is a necessity in order to keep tourism, the area’s primary source of revenue, thriving. Tourists come East to see the fields, vines, undisturbed shorelines and quaint villages, not strip malls and housing developments. This month, the Peconic Land Trust held an outreach seminar to help educate landowners and farmers about conservation programs and tax incentives available to them. As a result, 20 more families have applied to sell the development rights to their properties to land conservation groups and local governments in order to save them. The Farmland Preservation and Open Space Programs have saved more that 1,445 acres of Long Island farmland since 1997. Even large, strictly commercial sites have been subject to preserving large portions of their land in order to ensure that they do not disturb the environment too gravely. The importance of concessions such as these was exemplified when endangered Tiger Salamanders were found living on the site where the Tanger Outlet stores were built in Riverhead.
New housing developments have been popping up all over the North Fork in the past few years, and the number of developers coming into the area is still growing. Hamlets such as Baiting Hollow, once strictly farm communities, are now comprised of mostly residential homes or condominiums. Further out on the North Fork, towns like Greenport, East Marion and Orient have also experienced population growth in recent years.
As many as three vineyards are currently on the market – and there are hundreds of acres of farmland available for sale. Two North Shore vineyards have already changed hands and new vineyards are sprouting up all the time. Duck Walk Vineyard, previously limited to one vineyard on Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton, has recently expanded their holdings to include part of the North Fork. They now own massive acreage spanning both Forks. They have built a new tasting room among their many acres of grapes on Southold. The new facility is slated to open for business this spring. Landmark properties, such as the old Victorian Inn and The Shady Lady in Greenport have recently gone on the market, along with a motel and marina in the Port of Egypt harbor area of Southold that includes a retail space and a working fish market.
As we watch these parcels change hands, we are fortunate that groups such as the Peconic Land Trust are here to protect and preserve these precious East End commodities.
You can reach Diane at eastendrealest@yahoo.com
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