As it had signaled earlier last week, the East Hampton Town Board formally adopted the Pro Housing Communities pledge, a New York State program established last year and designed to reward local governments that are working to address the state’s housing crisis, at its meeting last Thursday.
The designation is based on a municipality meeting benchmarks in adding housing units “across the board,” and not just housing deemed affordable, Joanne Pilgrim of the town’s Office of Housing and Community Development told the board on March 5. Municipalities with Pro Housing Community status that apply for grant funding are given priority by certain state agencies that are administering up to $650 million in discretionary funds. Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed making Pro Housing Community status a prerequisite for grant funds from participating state agencies.
The pledge “will have us endeavor to take the following important steps,” according to last Thursday’s resolution. These are the streamlining of permitting and the enactment of policies that encourage multifamily housing, affordable housing, accessible housing, accessory dwelling units, and supportive housing; adoption of policies that affirmatively further fair housing; incorporation of regional housing needs into planning decisions, and an increase in development capacity for residential uses.
On Beach Permit Fees
In another resolution adopted last Thursday, the board agreed to set beach parking and beach driving permit fees for nonresidents. The nonresident beach parking fee rises to $600, from $500. The nonresident beach driving fee rises to $450, from $400. A second line of nonresident beach driving permits for co-op owners was established and set at $135. Daily parking fees remain the same — $50 at Atlantic Avenue Beach in Amagansett and $35 at Kirk Park Beach in Montauk.
Beach parking and driving permits are free to residents.
