Sag Harbor Village Board Meeting Summaries,
February 2026

Notes taken by Save Sag Harbor

VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (VBOT) — FEBRUARY 10, 2026

Financial & Departmental Reports

  • Treasury: Village revenues totaled over $12.7 million as of December 2025; expenses totaled $9.5 million.

  • Police: 626 calls received, 10 accidents, 17 arrests, and 73 traffic violations in January 2026.

  • Fire: 55 calls to the Fire Department and 73 calls to the Volunteer Ambulance Corps in January. A new fire truck is expected by end of February.

  • Sanitation: The plant processed 1.36 million gallons of sludge in January 2026.

  • Harbor and Docks: All seasonal slips are filled. Revenue to date is $650,000, slightly below 2025 but within normal range.

  • Buildings: $27,000 in revenue to date. The department issued 7 building permits, 6 rental permits, and conducted 57 inspections, 10 fire safety inspections, and 3 tree removal inspections.

  • HPARB: The board is seeking an architect advisor to assist with reviewing plans.

Traffic & Parking

  • The Village hired LKMA to conduct three studies on traffic, parking, and multi-modal safety. The first report — on multi-modal issues — has been submitted. Recommendations include:

    • Converting angle parking on Bay Street and Long Island Avenue to parallel parking.

    • Creating bike lanes and buffers on Hempstead Street.

    • Installing intersection controls at Main Street and Bay Street.

  • The remaining two studies (traffic and parking) are ongoing. All three will be posted to the Village website in spring 2026.

  • The Village met with County Legislator Ann Welker regarding work on County Road 79 (Sag Harbor Turnpike). The county is considering adding a dedicated left-turn lane from Jermain Avenue and reducing the proposed traffic island.

  • Paid Parking Update: Three solar-powered kiosks will be installed for residents without internet access, allowing payment by card without requiring Wi-Fi. The change responds to numerous complaints about poor app connectivity.

Grants & Infrastructure

  • New York State approved a $24,000 grant to study the feasibility of constructing sewers in Redwood. Trustee Corish noted that construction would not begin for several years.

  • Public Works: A six-person crew worked 12-hour shifts during the January/February snowfall to clear Village streets. The VBOT discussed the possibility of hiring a plow service to clear sidewalks in front of homes, with the cost billed to the homeowner rather than issuing summonses.

Public Hearing

  • APPROVED — Resolution to schedule a public hearing on March 10, 2026, to consider a local law reducing permitted street frontage from 50 feet to 25 feet and eliminating the ability to expand gross floor area by 50% by deleting §300-6.4(D).

Discussion Item

  • EV Shuttle Service: A representative from Circuit — the company operating a shuttle service in East Hampton Village — presented a proposal for a similar EV shuttle program in Sag Harbor. The service would transport riders from the high school parking lot and Havens Beach to downtown, running every 10 minutes, seven days a week during the summer season, free of charge to passengers.

    • The estimated cost is approximately $95,000 for two shuttles, which would be offset by advertising on the vehicles. The VBOT noted that employee parking is the primary driver of congestion. No decision was made on funding responsibility.

BOARD OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW (BHPAR) — FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Correspondence Requiring Action

  • APPROVED — Pierson House, LLC, 314 Main Street: One-year extension of HPARB approval granted (originally approved November 12, 2020).

  • APPROVED — Resolution Recommending Historic District Expansion to the Village Board of Trustees: The BHPAR formally recommended that the VBOT consider a 2019 survey identifying 60 properties eligible for National Register nomination — 20 from the post-World War II period and 40 from earlier periods — and extend the historic district boundaries accordingly. (Full resolution attached to the original report.)

Old Business

18 Hampton Street — 18 Hampton, LLC

  • Application: First- and second-floor additions to a historic home near Union Street. The proposed additions total approximately 510 square feet, including a kitchen expansion and a new bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in closet.

  • At prior meetings (December 2025 and January 2026), the BHPAR requested contextual renderings and an alternative one-story design. The applicant provided aerial photos at this meeting, which showed the addition is visible from the street — contrary to prior representations — but did not submit an alternative design.

  • Neighbors and their counsel objected to the massing, potential blockage of sunlight, and failure to engage with the BHPAR's requests. The board found the two-story addition's massing inappropriate.

  • DENIED 3–2 — Mses. Long, Toy, and Mr. Patterson voted to deny; Mses. Arrington and Bocresion voted to approve. Mr. Acocella, the chair, was recused as a neighbor of the applicant.

1215 Middle Line Highway — 1215 Middle Line, LLC

  • Application: Demolition of existing dwelling; construction of a new 3,469 sq. ft. home with pool and outdoor kitchen on a non-historic property. (A companion home at 1217 Middle Line Highway was previously approved.)

  • The applicant revised the design in response to prior BHPAR feedback: set the house back, reduced the size by 250 sq. ft. to 3,486 sq. ft., downsized the garage from two-car to one-car, and changed the exterior color from beige to gray to differentiate the two structures.

  • APPROVED 4–1 — Ms. Toy dissented.

29 Eastville Avenue — Martin Pepa

  • Application: Front additions and repairs to a historic property that was part of the Underground Railroad.

  • At the January meeting, the BHPAR directed the applicant to retain a historic preservation expert and/or professional engineer to supervise construction per Village Code §300-13.5. The applicant has agreed to use Mr. Studenroth in that role.

  • The BHPAR requested submission of a formal construction protocol prior to the next meeting.

  • ADJOURNED.

Consent Agenda

  • Robert Plumb, 33 High Street: New roof and trellis.--APPROVED

  • James Grund, 7 Somers Place: Patios and landscaping.-- APPROVED

  • Elizabeth K. Lesar, 291 Division Street: Proposed deck.-- APPROVED

  • F1Ascari, LLC, 20 Union Street (Chester Arthur House) — Historic property: The BHPAR removed this application from the consent agenda and placed it on the regular agenda. Concerns included an undisclosed plan to replace 23 windows, missing plans depicting garage elevations, and the applicant's attorney's position that no plans were required.-- ADJOURNED

New Business

  • 414 Main Street Property Owner, LLC, 414 Main Street: Pool (6 x 32 ft.) and 525 sq. ft. accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a non-historic property. ADU to be painted white with copper gutters and native plantings. --APPROVED

  • ABF Baron's Cove, LLC, 31 West Water Street: Replacement gate on a non-historic property. No renderings or plans were presented. --APPROVED

  • Nothing Lasts Forever, LLC, 14 Carver Street: Demolition of existing cottage; construction of new home with pool on a non-historic property. The proposed home uses alternating mahogany cladding, Andersen windows, and heavy grass landscaping on the steeply sloped lot. The BHPAR found the design appropriate for its setting.-- APPROVED

  • 299 Main Street, LLC, 299 Main Street: Modification of prior approval to allow demolition of a non-contributing accessory building and conversion to an ADU. The existing frame was found to be unsalvageable; the Building Inspector submitted a letter supporting demolition. -- APPROVED

  • 22 Oakland Avenue, LLC, 22 Oakland Avenue: Renovations/additions to a historic 1900s home, including new concrete foundation, replacement lean-to addition (~2,100 sq. ft. total), demolition of non-contributing garage, 596 sq. ft. ADU, and small pool. Approval conditioned on submission of shop drawings for 11 custom-duplicate replacement windows. – APPROVED (with conditions)

  • Joseph & Julie Zaykowski, 144 Suffolk Street: 80 sq. ft. one-story bump-out addition to a historic home outside the historic district.---APPROVED

  • Alexander Matthiessen, 53 Rysam Street: Minor modifications to a previously approved design, including turning the front gable and extending the rear roof. Net addition of 25 sq. ft. --APPROVED

296 Madison Street — McKenzie Milhousen

  • Application: Rear extension (~600 sq. ft.), enclosure of open porch, pool, and landscaping on a non-historic 1990s home. Proposed square footage would exceed 3,000 sq. ft., triggering a required public hearing.

  • The BHPAR offered several design recommendations: retain existing windows, reduce window count on the new extension, replace the proposed French door entry with a more appropriate front door, and remove the shutters, which were deemed to make the facade look cluttered. The BHPAR did approve of the revised top window as proportionate.

  • ADJOURNED.

Discussion Items

67 Franklin Avenue — David McCallum & Natalie Phillips

  • Application: Demolition of existing dwelling; construction of a new Federal-style house on a non-historic property between Prospect and Hempstead Streets.

  • This was the applicant's second discussion with the BHPAR. Changes since the first meeting include relocating the driveway to the side of the property and restyling the house as a Federal design. The BHPAR raised continuing concerns: the hip roof makes the house appear too wide; the oversized upstairs window creates a top-heavy appearance; the non-functional shutters are inappropriate; and the house sits too close to the neighboring property (the lot is 50 feet wide, and the applicant plans to seek a ZBA variance).

  • The BHPAR recommended using a neighboring house as a design reference and suggested a permeable gravel driveway, which the applicant agreed to.

9 Wooded Path — Bryan & Julia Midlam

  • Application: Demolition of existing ranch house; construction of a new two-story residence with attached garage and 285 sq. ft. ADU on a non-historic property. No renderings were presented, but the BHPAR found the design favorable.

120 Glover Street — Brian DeSesa

  • Application: Demolition of existing dwelling; construction of a new two-story residence with detached garage outside the historic district. No discussion or renderings occurred at this meeting.

Adjournments to March 12, 2026

  • 14 Hamilton Street — 14 Hamilton Partners, LLC: Proposed additions/renovations to a historic home, including relocation of screened porch to rear, addition of a second dormer, and second-floor deck. The BHPAR found the new gable too busy and the plans insufficiently detailed; new renderings requested.

  • 19 Beach Avenue — Sandra Altine: Proposed addition to a non-historic home. Adjourned without discussion.

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS (ZBA) — FEBRUARY 17, 2026

Old Business / Continued Public Hearings

31 Madison Street — 595 Realty Corp, Inc.

  • Application: Convert 1,152 sq. ft. of ground-floor space to retail use; convert the upper floors to a single ~1,700 sq. ft. accessory apartment. Variances sought for 2 parking spaces (9 required, 2 on-site, 5 grandfathered) and for the oversized accessory apartment.

  • The Planning Board advised against granting the parking variance, requesting additional on-site parking. The applicant argued that creating new spaces would require eliminating a heavily vegetated backyard garden.

  • The ZBA favored preserving the garden. It proposed repurposing a commercial truck space for resident use (reducing the variance to one space), but the applicant declined.

  • APPROVED.

67 Franklin Avenue — David McCallum & Natalie Phillips

  • Application: New two-story single-family residence, pool, spa, driveway, and pool house. Variances sought include a 2,925 cubic foot pyramid skyplane intrusion (subsequently reduced to 2,300 cubic feet), side-yard setback relief for the outdoor shower, A/C units, and covered entry.

  • The ZBA raised significant concerns: the pyramid variance remains too large and could be reduced by lowering the roofline by two feet or extending the first floor toward the rear; the proposed driveway cannot accommodate the four cars required for a five-bedroom home; and the house is not in keeping with the neighborhood's character.

  • A neighbor submitted a letter in opposition; Ms. Scarlato also objected to the lot coverage.

  • ADJOURNED.

60 Bluff Point Road — Charles Persico

  • Application: New single-family dwelling with porches, decking, patio, pool, carport, and detached garage. Variances sought for accessory structures (garage and pool) located in the front yard where prohibited.

  • ADJOURNED without discussion.

New Business

152 Jermain Avenue — Mark Tevis

  • Application: Additions including a 44 sq. ft. kitchen expansion, 251 sq. ft. second-floor bedroom addition, brick fireplace and chimney, and deck. Variances sought for setback, pyramid intrusion (+1,868 cubic feet), building coverage (38.3% vs. 20% permitted), and total coverage (45% vs. 25% permitted).

  • The ZBA was troubled by the extent of the variances on an already overbuilt lot. It raised concerns about a proposed first-floor patio that would be 4.2 feet from the neighboring property — noting it has never granted a five-foot patio variance. The ZBA also objected to a proposed roof deck from which occupants would overlook the neighbor's backyard.

  • A procedural issue arose: the patio was not included in the original application notice, requiring re-notification before it can be considered.

  • ADJOURNED.

48 Redwood Road — 48 Redwood, LLC

  • Application: Third-story habitable space and first- and second-floor expansion. Variances sought for pyramid intrusion (+312 cubic feet), front-yard setback (26 ft. vs. 35 ft. required from Cove Road), third-story construction beyond existing attic confines, and a three-story structure where only two stories are permitted.

  • The ZBA stated that the application would cause significant harm to the Village, asserting that introducing a third story would set a precedent that fundamentally changes Sag Harbor's character. The ZBA noted it has consistently denied third-story applications. The board noted the applicant could add a bedroom within the existing attic space without a variance.

  • The applicant stated that a former Building Inspector had advised them to submit the application. The applicant then requested adjournment rather than an outright denial.

  • ADJOURNED at applicant's request.

406 Main Street — Eamon Bradley

  • Application: New 2½-story modern flat-roof residence with one-story wing. Variances sought for height (2½ stories vs. 2 permitted) and pyramid intrusion (1,433 cubic feet). The applicant contended the 2½-story designation was a typographical error and that the structure would be only 23 feet tall with four bedrooms.

  • The ZBA board member Mr. McGuire raised concerns about community character, noting the property sits near Mash Park at the gateway to the Village. The ZBA's counsel, Ms. Vail, offered to research relevant case law on whether design character may factor into the ZBA's analysis.

  • The ZBA suggested shifting the building mass toward the center of the lot to reduce the pyramid impact on one neighbor, or constructing a single-story wing. The ZBA also recommended the applicant appear before the BHPAR for design input.

  • ADJOURNED.

119 Bay Street — Eric Atlas

  • Application: Legalization of an outdoor kitchen and pool patio constructed approximately ten years ago without permits. Variances sought for outdoor kitchen side-yard setback (1.5 ft. vs. 15 ft. required), pool side-yard setback (14.5 ft. vs. 15 ft. required), pool patio rear-yard setback (5 ft. vs. 10 ft. required), and lot coverage (38.6% vs. 25% permitted).

  • The ZBA acknowledged it would not have approved the structures at the time of construction but concluded that the cost of bringing the property into compliance would exceed the harm to the neighborhood. The fact that the adjacent property is Cormaria — with extensive acreage serving as a natural buffer — was a mitigating factor.

  • The existing survey was found to be incorrect.

  • APPROVED — Subject to submission of a corrected survey.

37 Shaw Road — 37 Shaw Road, LLC

  • Application: New single-family residence, garage, cabana, pool, and patio. Variances sought for front-yard placement of pool, hot tub/spa, and fire pit, and for cabana setback from the residence.

  • The property borders the water. The GFA and coverage calculations were found to be incorrect because the applicant used the high-tide mark as a boundary rather than the top of the bluff, as required by code. A new survey and recalculated GFA are required.

  • A neighbor noted that construction workers will have no parking available in the area.

  • ADJOURNED — ZBA indicated it will approve the variances once the GFA calculation issue is resolved.

244 Madison Street — Landfall Properties, LLC

  • Application: Two additions to a single-family residence, garage relocation, new pool and patio. Six variances sought, including side-yard setbacks, pyramid intrusions, lot coverage (28.69% vs. 25% permitted), and GFA increase of 476 sq. ft.

  • The ZBA had no objection to the variances related to the house itself but required the balcony to be screened due to noise concerns. A neighbor objected to the second-story balcony, though the ZBA noted the neighbor's own home features a comparable structure.

  • The garage will be relocated from its current position to the front of the property, further from the property line than existing. By revising the pool patio layout (moving it to the pool's longer side), the applicant eliminated one of the required variances.

  • APPROVED — Subject to submission of a new survey and a landscape plan confirming balcony screening.

28 Brandywine Drive — Alice Cooley

  • Application: 576 sq. ft., 13-foot-tall accessory apartment (ADU) in a front yard on a corner lot where accessory structures are prohibited. The applicant's elderly mother will be the occupant. The ADU meets all setback and coverage requirements and will be screened by vegetation.

  • The ZBA identified an unnoticed pyramid violation; however, it noted that relocating a gable on the ADU would eliminate the violation. The ZBA also requested confirmation of adequate screening along Brandywine Street.

  • APPROVED (conditional) — Subject to confirmation of screening and receipt of an updated survey.

Decisions Issued

  • Alexander Matthiessen, 53 Rysam Street — Decision issued.

  • 70 Glover NDFP, LLC, 70 Glover Street — Decision issued.

Adjournments to March 17, 2026

  • Big Fish Holdings, LLC, 23 Main Street (Sen Restaurant): Application to use the rear parking lot for seasonal outdoor dining (20 seats), requiring a waiver of 5 parking spaces. The Planning Board previously advised the ZBA not to grant the variance. Adjourned without discussion.

  • Charles Persico, 60 Bluff Point Road: See above. Adjourned without discussion.

PLANNING BOARD — FEBRUARY’S MEETING WAS CANCELED.