The voters of the Mattituck park district approved the sale of the Pike Street parking lot to the town yesterday by an overwhelming 95-7, the unofficial tally.
Residents turned out yesterday to vote on the sale of the .6533-acre parking lot parcel, located at 630 Pike Street in Mattituck to the Town of Southold for the sum of $230,000.
Mike Ryan, commissioner of the Mattituck Park District, wanted to thank a number of people. “Thanks to the residents of Mattituck and Laurel for coming out to vote and support this proposal. Thanks to the Town of Southold, Mattituck Chamber of Commerce, New York State Assemblyman Tony Palumbo and Senator Ken LaValle. And, of course, everyone who got the word out to remind voters to vote. A very good day for the residents and Love Lane.”
The landslide decision comes after months of discussion, as residents expressed fears that much-needed parking near Love Lane in Mattituck could be lost.
A bill authorizing the Mattituck Park District to discontinue use of the land as parkland on Pike Street and to sell the land passed both the Senate, on June 16, and the Assembly, on June 18.
At an earlier 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 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.
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; 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, with the need for a parking lot clear to all.
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.”.