Residents worried about a dearth of parking in the Love Lane area of Mattituck can breathe a sigh of relief.
The Southold Town board held a special town board meeting on Friday to pass a resolution authorizing the acquisition of the Pike Street parking lot, at a maximum cost of $250,000.
The purchase will be financed through bonding.
The parking lot is currently owned by the Mattituck Park District and located at 630 Pike Street.
Last month, after escalating concerns from the public that the always crowded parking lot could be sold or roped off, the Southold Town board voted to begin negotiations to buy the parcel from the Mattituck Park District — with an eye toward ensuring it will remain a much-needed parking solution in an area where spots are at a premium.
“The board gave me authority to engage in negotiations with the park district,” Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said. “We are very committed to ensuring that its use continues as a parting lot.”
That’s good news, according to Mary Eisenstein, president of the new Mattituck-Laurel Civic Association, who has said the group had been waiting to learn more about what plans were for the future of the lot; members want the area to remain a parking facility.
And, according to Mike Ryan, commissioner of the Mattituck Park District, that was always the goal.
The park district, Ryan said, is not, according to New York State law, entitled or sanctioned to operate a parking lot. “We’re sanctioned to operate parks, not a parking lot, so our choice is simple. According to law, we either have to convert it into a park or have to sell it.”
He added, “We feel very strongly that it should stay there as a parking lot.”
The special meeting was held because the town is “committed” to the purchase and and hopes to conclude the transaction soon, Russell said; some residents questioned holding a special meeting for the vote.
