Shelter Island Market Report June 2 nd 2016
Zoning on Shelter Island By Penelope Moore Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Memorial Day weekend started off with a bang, with warm summer-
have a point of view, then you run for office…this is about what’s fair and
like temperatures and crowds at our island beaches and restaurants.
right, not about the almighty dollar.”
On the real estate front, last minute customers shopped online, booked and moved into their rentals, and Friday through Sunday in between
With a direct correlation between property values and the ability to
barbecues and leisure time, customers toured homes to purchase.
develop or expand, the Town placing sweeping limits would surely have a negative effect on real estate values, particularly on waterfront
In the backdrop of summer fun, the Town of Shelter Island conducted
properties and those near the water.
its usual business. Zoning, while seemingly a boring topic, is important to all property owners and is rarely given the focus it deserves. Zoning
There are many evolving issues that are worthy of open discussion,
falls under “police power," the right of the government to make laws that
including property owners’ rights surrounding demolition of historic
surround safety, health, welfare and morals and affect a variety of laws
buildings and the ability to rent on a nightly or short term basis without
including land use, fire and building codes.
a Town or Health Department permit. Shelter Island has historically had some of the lowest property taxes on the East End, with a fiscally
This week at the Town Board meeting, new Council members Jim Colligan
responsible government and zoning that has widely been considered “fair
and Mary Dudley re-introduced a zoning and building code concept
and right." While the notion of the almighty dollar may elude some, there
called “Proportionality” that would limit development of new homes
are many instances where real estate is the greatest asset one owns, and
and expansion of existing homes, particularly in areas close to the water.
the ability to sell it at the highest price possible is crucial to the future welfare of a property owner and their family.
Currently, the total square footage of a home only factors finished or livable areas. In the proposed concept, according to Dudley, the total
The Shelter Island Town Board meetings are available online at:
square footage “would be a little more embracing” to include unheated
townhallstreams.com/locations/shelter-island-ny
and unfinished areas to “avoid possible loopholes” or future finishing by homeowners who might not notify the Town. On one inland acre
Building Inspector Bill Banks retires this month. Dedicated to his work
or 43,560 square feet, a property owner could develop a total of 11%
and a fountain of knowledge, he will be greatly missed.
or 4791 square feet including basement, garage, attic and porches, a reduction of approximately 14% currently allowed for finished space.
Where island tranquility is concerned, we are so incredibly blessed to be
Many homes that are currently standing on less than an acre, in the new
surrounded by nature. This week many turtles were assisted across our
regulation could not be built.
roads by passersby, however many were injured or did not make it at all. While enjoying our sights and sounds, please slow down and take a
Colligan responded to a speaker from the audience who opposes the
moment to consider local wildlife, which as a client said yesterday, “are
proposed regulation, “that’s your point of view and I have mine. If you
Shelter Islanders, too.”
Penelope Moore
Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker
Office: (631) 749-2300 | Cell: (917) 208-5519 | PMoore@Saunders.com
ShelterIslandRealEstate.com | PenelopeMoore.com nine grand avenue, shelter island heights “Saunders, A Higher Form of Realty,” is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Equal Housing Opportunity.