Community Park Wishful Thinking; 1 Ferry Road Condo Plan To Be Revised

By Peter Neely

The 1 Ferry Road proposed condominium project is to replace the former Professional Building and old fishing station at the foot of the bridge as you enter the village. Photos by Christine Bellini

Sag Harbor - Despite a push by members of the Coalition of Neighborhoods for the Preservation of Sag Harbor (CONPOSH) suggesting that the village purchase and convert a prime parcel at the base of the bridge entering the downtown district into a community park, that option is not viable for the owner of the property, according to attorney Sam P. Israel, counsel for property owner Michael Maidan, who made it crystal clear asserting, "he is not selling."

The notion to purchase the parcel, shaped like a wedge of pie flanked by the harbor and a main artery entering the historic village, with Community Preservation Funds in lieu of approving a 22-unit condominium project proposed by the owner has germinated as a result of lingering concern over the scale and layout of the proposed project which would drastically diminish views of the harbor from the street.

The proposed condominium project, which includes a two story structure to replace the former Remkus fishing station building at the western corner of the property as well as a 'pivotal' building to be built smack in the middle of the pie-shaped parking lot that now borders the Lost At Sea Memorial Bridge, has once again been sent back to the drawing board. Architects Costas, Kondylis and Partners LLP, of Manhattan are sketching a redesign more in line with planning board suggestions, in particular, incorporating concerns over public water access and views of the harbor.

"What Mr. Maiden will do is work with the community to try and find something mutually acceptable. He is not looking to put in some huge edifice there to impede people's access to the water or make an eyesore for the community," Israel clarified.

Dennis Downes, local lawyer on the project, added that following revision of the architectural schematics, the site plan application with the village will undergo revision and an amendment to the original application will be submitted. Following re-submission of the application, the 1 Ferry Road project will once again appear on the planning board calendar, at which point the zoning board and architectural review board can independently review the plans.

Neither Downes, Israel or Costas, Kondylis and Partners LLP, could confirm a time frame for the re-submission of the site plans.

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