Government

Town to host hearing on Route 48 parking ban, vote on Plum Island zoning tonight

BING MAP IMAGE | The town plans to prohibit vehicle parking at all times along a half-mile stretch of County Route 48 from the western edge of Depot Lane to the eastern edge of a private road known as Road B near Vineyard 48.

The public will have its first chance tonight to weigh in on Southold Town’s proposed legislation to prohibit parking on the North Road in the vicinity of Vineyard 48.

The Town Board believes parking on Route 48 near the winery has caused undue congestion, restricted access and maneuverability and had dangerous traffic impacts, according to the draft law.

The law would prohibit vehicle parking at all times along a half-mile stretch of Route 48 from the western edge of Depot Lane to the eastern edge of a private road known as Road B.

The new parking restriction proposal was introduced a month ago, on the same day the board passed a controversial special events law, which came in response to residents’ complaints about such events — most notably at Vineyard 48 — and concern over the town’s options in addressing reported code violations.

The board also appears poised to vote on a bill this evening that will create two new zoning districts specific to Plum Island.

The pressure on the town to zone the 840-acre island, which is federally owned and therefore not currently subject to local planning regulations, intensified when the U.S. General Services Administration recommended the government sell the land to a private developer for the construction of houses on the property.

The proposed law would establish two zones. The Plum Island Research District would include the existing lab and the 160 acres immediately surrounding it, while the Plum Island Conservation District would cover 600 undeveloped acres.

The board is expected to adopt the zoning proposal during its regular meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall meeting room.

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