Golf Course Expansion

Despite concern over the loss of nearly 50 acres of farmland, the East Hampton Town Planning Board agreed last week on a preliminary layout for the South Fork Country Club's expanded golf course in Amagansett.

The board at its Jan. 15 meeting told the club it was on par with planning concerns, but still has a long review process ahead.

The Planning Board and the country club have met several times to discuss how best to arrange the course and its clubhouse. The Town Planning Department, however, has asked the board to consider the larger question: "Is golf an appropriate use for this site?"

Nine More Holes

The club is in contract to buy 55 acres of currently farmed agricultural land off of Old Stone Highway, across from its present nine-hole course. The club wants to put another nine holes on the 55 acres, as well as a new, two-story clubhouse.

Just over six acres of farmland would be preserved in an agricultural easement along Old Stone Highway. The club submitted a formal application this month, setting forth most of the specifics of the plan.

Expected to cost roughly $5.5 million, the expansion would be paid for largely through an increase in the club's membership, to 400 members from the current 230 or so. The club anticipates having 21 employees.

Clubhouse Is Moved

The application calls for an 8,160-square-foot, two-story clubhouse with a 163-space parking lot. The location of the clubhouse had been the main concern of board members during initial discussions.

It was first proposed at the northern end of the site, off Deep Lane, but the latest plan places it in the southwest corner near the railroad tracks, facing Old Stone Highway.

John McGowan, an East Hampton attorney representing the club, said the location would keep development clustered with other "disturbed" areas - a LILCO power station and the train tracks - and would leave important farm vistas open at Quail Hill.

Town Planning Department members agreed, accepting the general site layout of the course and commending the club for submitting a plan "that shows sensitivity to a number of planning concerns."

Overall Impact

However, planners stressed the board should look at the overall effect of a golf course on the site.

In an eight-page memo to board members, the department stated the board's "main concern" in reviewing the project should be the impact on the site's prime soils and the loss of farmland.

The memo noted that the site is part of one of the town's largest tracts of contiguous farmland and is targeted for preservation in its current Open Space Plan.

The golf course's plan would preserve only 10.7 percent of the site's prime soils, planners noted. Even if the property were developed as a residential subdivision, the town would require the preservation of at least 70 percent.

Farmland At Issue

"Serious consideration should be given to whether golf is an appropriate use for this site and/or whether more agricultural soils than currently proposed should be preserved," the memo states.

Mike Bottini, an environmental planner with the Group for the South Fork, concurred. He told the Planning Board he was "very disappointed there was not more effort to preserve more farmland" and urged that at least 10 acres, not just six, be saved.

Planning Board members said they sympathized with the farmland issue.

Job Potter, the board's Amagansett liaison, pointed out that the town and Suffolk County had once tried to negotiate a purchase of development rights to the farmland, but could not reach a satisfactory price with the owners.

No Takers?

The 55.5 acres consist of two parcels, one owned by Andrew Sabin and the other by Edward S. Gordon. The Gordon parcel was recently approved for a four-lot subdivision.

Mr. Sabin said there was currently little interest in his land from farmers. The Struk family, which owns the Amagansett Farmers Market, has leased up to 40 acres in the past to grow everything from strawberries to broccoli, but, Mr. Sabin said, has cut down to only 10 acres and may not be interested at all next season.

Mr. Sabin said he had advertised the land for lease, but has had no takers.

"I'm not a golfer," he said. "I'd prefer to see farmland over a golf course, but nobody wants to farm the land anymore. It's too small a piece for some of the bigger farmers to come down from Southampton for."

Planning Board members agreed a golf course was preferable to other types of development, especially since there is already a course right across the road.

Only A "Nod"

"In general, I think there are some pluses. There's definitely a demand for more golf in the town, and we're expanding an existing club, so that's a plus," said Mr. Potter.

Sheila Downs said the club's plan "looks good. The applicant has been working very well with the board, and I don't think there's going to be any major stumbling blocks."

Members voiced only minor concerns with the layout, such as traffic safety on Old Stone Highway and the protection of a scenic easement that runs through the property.

The board stressed, however, that their agreement on the layout was not an approval, only a nod to the club to go ahead and prepare a formal site plan application.