Residents anxious for a parking lot to remain available near Love Lane can see an end in sight — all systems appear to be go in regard to Southold Town’s purchase of the parcel.
A bill authorizing the Mattituck Park District to discontinue use of the land as parkland on Pike Street, and to sell the land, has passed both the Senate, on June 16, and the Assembly, on June 18.
At its last town board meeting, the Southold town board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing and directing Supervisor Scott Russell to execute the contract of sale for the Mattituck Park District for the purchase of the Pike Street parking lot.
“We are ready to honor the contract and purchase the property,” Russell said. “This is predicated on the voters of the Mattituck Park district granting our permission to do so. Assuming the referendum passes, I am sure both sides are anxious to complete the sale.”
The referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14.
The Southold Town board held a special town board meeting in May 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.
In April, 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.
“We are very committed to ensuring that its use continues as a parking lot,” Russell said.
That’s good news, according to Mary Eisenstein, president of the 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.
