Southold’s zoning code update has generated focused conversation; exactly what a community-centered process is meant to do.
This zoning update is the result of a locally-driven, multi-year effort. Guided by Town Board policy directives, Planning Dept. staff produced the draft code with technical drafting assistance from our consultant and feedback from the Zoning Update Advisory Committee about public outreach, best practices and alignment with the Comprehensive Plan.
The draft is based on an adopted Comprehensive Plan 2010-2020 that reflects more than a decade of public participation. That plan confirms what we value most: protecting farmland and other natural resources; supporting the local businesses that drive our economy and connect our community; maintaining each hamlet’s unique small-town character; improving infrastructure and creating attainable workforce housing.
The draft zoning code translates these goals into modern, enforceable rules. It also incorporates feedback from community forums held in 2024 that identified the most up-to-date concerns of our residents and business-owners.
Over the past three months, our Planning Department provided public forums in every hamlet; a drop-in zoning resource center; industry-specific focus groups; and opportunities for residents, business owners, civic groups, and professionals to share input both online and in person.
No draft of this scale is ever perfect, but we have a strong starting point that reflects years of public input, taxpayer investment and community-driven planning. The robust public discussion shows the process is working exactly as it was designed.
Next, the Town Board will refine the draft using your substantive, practical feedback. For example, we heard business owners on challenging market conditions that require flexibility. Based on this feedback, we’ll return retail and restaurant uses to the Corridor Business zone. The next draft will also remove impervious surfaces from the lot coverage calculation.
But we shouldn’t lose sight of the improvements this code makes. The draft code clearly defines uses that have outgrown their existing definitions or were never defined, and it eliminates inconsistent provisions resulting from decades of piecemeal changes. It makes the development of business-zoned parcels more efficient by using setbacks, lot coverage, and other functional tools to guide the number of and size of buildings and businesses on a parcel instead of our outdated minimum lot size per use requirement. And it provides for year-round employee housing. These changes give the agricultural, marine, tourism, and other local industries greater flexibility to adapt and thrive.
And the conversation isn’t over. If there’s a section of the draft you believe is unclear or needs improvement, tell us what and why. We welcome your input.
Feedback can be submitted via email to zoningupdate@southoldtownny.gov, or in person at the Planning Department during business hours. The Town Board will also host informational sessions in the coming weeks to review the revised draft and answer questions. Dates, times, and locations will be posted on the Town website.
Let’s work together to get this right!