East End leaders: Affordable housing, saving legacy industries are key priorities

Leaders on the East End agree that more affordable housing could prop up a year-round economy, legacy industries are worth preserving and infrastructure investments will strengthen the region.

Though they differ on specific tactics, the five East End town supervisors emphasized unity during a panel discussion Wednesday morning the Long Island Association moderated at East Wind Long Island in Wading River.

"We are all very different towns ... but we have a lot of the same issues," Riverhead Supervisor Tim Hubbard said. "Democrat or Republican ... at this level, it means the least. A good idea is a good idea."

Hubbard was joined by Amber Brach-Williams of Shelter Island, a fellow Republican, and Democratic Supervisors Al Krupski of Southold, Maria Moore of Southampton and Kathee Burke-Gonzalez from East Hampton for the "State of the East End" forum. All five are first-term supervisors who took office in 2024.

Wednesday’s forum was the first to focus specifically on the East End, building on an effort by the Long Island Association to better support the region. 

"You might just think Hamptons and mansions and millionaires, but the truth is, there are people that are bussing your table or working at the dry cleaner or a lifeguard at the beach and they can’t afford that million-dollar house," Matt Cohen, the president of the Long Island Association, said. "We really have to try to work together to fix these challenges."

Affordable housing focus

Some issues, such as affordable housing, are most acute on the East End.

Riverhead is the only town on the East End that hasn't established a new Community Housing Fund, which raises money for affordable housing initiatives through a 0.5% tax on real estate transactions.

East Hampton has raised nearly $13 million since their program was established by referendum in 2022, Burke-Gonzalez said. About $7 million has been allocated for affordable housing developments so far, she said.

There are still barriers to establishing affordable housing, including single-family home zoning restrictions, officials said. Several leaders said they are reviewing code changes that could make such developments easier.

In Southold, Krupski said accessory apartments are part of the solution.

"It kind of spreads out the housing throughout the whole town, so you’re not looking at one project dominating one area," he said.

Southold is trying to incentivize the creation of accessory apartments through $125,000 grants and last month hired a community development supervisor to oversee and administer its housing fund.

The lack of affordable housing exacerbates other issues, including traffic and retaining a reliable year-round workforce, officials said.

Traffic, transportation challenges

Moore, the Southampton supervisor, said commuter traffic on County Road 39 is an "enormous challenge." The town is exploring measures such as roundabouts and reducing westbound traffic lights in the afternoon to alleviate backups. She also touted the success of the South Fork commuter line, a Long Island Rail Road train that runs at peak commute hours to reduce cars on the road.

"Public transportation is very important," she said, adding that the ridership is currently around 300 people a day. "But we need to expand it. In order to do that, we have to have the MTA provide more sidings."

Promoting business and development is a key part of the LIA's agenda, and the towns each have unique challenges.

On Shelter Island, Brach-Williams said its accessibility only by ferry "self-limits" how much growth there is. Though she said some locals prefer limited growth, she said it’s important to sustain a diverse mix of small businesses. "We’re not going to have big box stores. We’re not going to have bigger industry," she said.

Brach-Williams said she wants to streamline the site plan review process to help businesses get up and running faster, which could help since the island is hyperseasonal. The population of about 3,000 swells to 11,000 during the summer, she said.

Focus on legacy industries

Agriculture, aquaculture and fishing are important industries in all five towns, but particularly in Southold and East Hampton. Burke-Gonzalez said the town uses community preservation funds to protect farmland and ensure it remains active by leasing it back to young farmers.

Krupski said maintaining agricultural production is a key part of the town’s new proposed zoning and that Southold is also interested in partnering with Suffolk County to protect waterfront businesses. Under the county proposal, owners of marine businesses would be paid to restrict future development, Newsday previously reported.

"We can’t let all that waterfront be converted to residential," he said.

Hubbard said the 2,900-acre Enterprise Park at Calverton must be redeveloped as an economic generator offering technology and aviation jobs.

In Southampton, Moore said the Stony Brook University campus is an opportunity for future growth. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is eyeing a new hospital at that 82-acre site and planning meetings are underway, she said.

Recent federal actions will have an effect on the region's economy, the supervisors said.

Both Burke-Gonzalez and Hubbard said nonprofits are asking their towns for more funding than they have historically received due to sweeping federal budget cuts.