Shelter Island thwarts wealthy with ‘mega’ mansion ban
Shelter Island, a chic Long Island isle, is putting a stop to the construction of massive mansions by temporarily banning the building of single-family houses that are over 5,999 square feet. This halt received unanimous approval from town officials in mid-May and is expected to be in place for at least six months. During this time, the officials plan to assess the impact that “mega” mansions have on the town’s year-round and summer communities of 3,200 and 10,000 people, respectively. They will also evaluate how adding more gargantuan homes would affect the environment, particularly water quality.
“The waterfront has always had large homes, but now they’re creeping everywhere,” said Town Attorney Stephen Kiely. “A lot of money is being dumped out here.” Shelter Island has begun to see sprawling ocean-front homes like the ones in neighboring towns such as the Hamptons. While there were only four applications for special permits to build 6,000 square feet or larger homes between 2018 and 2021, this year already has five applications.
Shelter Island officials hope a moratorium on building “mega” mansions will give the town time to assess how these homes impact the environment and the community. Many locals have embraced the decision, frustrated with the growing number of wealthy sea lovers building large homes on the island. However, some of these wealthy sea lovers argue that there is no need for the moratorium since few applications have been submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What does the Shelter Island moratorium mean?
The Shelter Island moratorium is a temporary ban on issuing special permits to build single-family homes of more than 5,999 square feet. This ban will last for at least six months and aims to give officials time to assess the impact of “mega” mansions on the environment and community.
Why did Shelter Island implement a moratorium?
Shelter Island officials are concerned about the increasing number of applications for “mega” mansions on the island. They want to determine how these homes impact the environment, particularly water quality, and the community of 3,200 residents.
How many applications for “mega” mansions have been submitted to Shelter Island?
Between 2018 and 2021, there were only four applications for special permits to build 6,000 square feet or larger homes. However, this year, there are already five applications.
Who supports the Shelter Island moratorium?
Many locals have embraced the moratorium, frustrated with the growing number of wealthy sea lovers building large homes on the island.
Who opposes the Shelter Island moratorium?
Some wealthy sea lovers argue that there is no need for the moratorium since few applications have been submitted. Personal injury lawyer John Bennett said the ban unfairly targets his client’s pending application to build a 12,000-square-foot home overlooking the bay near Crescent Beach.
Ban on Mega Mansions by Shelter Island Halts Wealthy Residents’ Plans
Shelter Island, a sought-after summer destination off the coast of Long Island, has put a stop to the construction of large mansions by imposing a temporary ban on issuing special permits for homes over 5,999 square feet. The ban was unanimously approved by town officials in May and will last for at least six months, during which time the town’s zoning regulations will be reviewed. With the year-round population standing at around 3,200 but swelling to 10,000 over the summer months, officials are keen to assess the impact of large homes on the community and the environment. Several mansions have already been built on the island’s waterfront, with many more in the planning stages, prompting officials to take action. However, some prospective buyers have criticised the moratorium, claiming that there is no justification given that there have been relatively few applications for large homes in recent years.