A new market with fresh produce would be a welcome addition to the Village and establishing it in the new area (where 27 and 27A meet) would also free up some parking spaces in the Main Street area, which is a good idea for everyone. The proposed site seems to be just the right size. I applaud the Village Board for "thinking outside the box".
PW

We have plenty of grocery shopping options in Southampton and the neighboring towns. Let's not trade off the character of our area for another store and more traffic.

The greater Southampton Village area (including North Sea, Noyac and Water Mill) swells to 50,000 plus between June and Sept. How can the small Waldbaum's service that population. During those summer months, the shelves are half empty and the store cannot refill them fast enough. We need another supermarket -- and who wants to drive to Bridgehampton or Hampton Bays to do grocery shopping, especially during The Season

My comment is based on "the greater Southampton Village area" which includes North Sea, Noyac and Water Mill. Where do you think residents of those areas do their food shopping? Waldbaum's serves all those areas and, during the summer, one can hardly get a space in the parking lot. We need another supermarket.

Hmmm, still would like a source for those population figures! I can tell you where people in those areas shop. First, Waldbaum's does a fine job stocking the shelves and has competitive prices. The King Kullen in Bridgehampton is a quick trip and can be combined with KMart and TJ's plus lots of farm stands. Sometimes we even go to King Kullen in Hampton Bays or the Wild by Nature. We have no shortage of grocery stores. It is our precious farmland and open areas that are in short supply.

Dear Sunset and Reilly. You still don't get it. I have lived in Southampton Town for 32 years (Water Mill, Bridgehampton, and now North Sea). I shop at Waldbaum's and KK and sometimes in Hampton Bays or even Manorville BUT we need another supermarket AND IT IS NOT TAKING UP ANY FARMLAND. The proposed location for a new market is an empty car dealership on the outskirts of the village. Have to run now. Good luck.

I guess your wife does most of the food shopping for your family, and you make a good living so you can afford to buy designer-priced vegetables at the farmstands. I am a senior who still works part-time because of the wonderful economy we find ourselves living in, and there is very little left for me to purchase in Waldbaum's from about May 15 thru Oct. 15 when I shop in the early mornings, lunch hour, early evening or weekends -- and one can forget about trying to park -- and I certainly don't have the time or gas money to drive to Hampton Bays or Bridgehampton.

The 2010 Census reports on the village population in order to indicate the number of people who consider the village to be their primary residence. It is not an accurate depiction of how many people are second home owners who are shopping for fresh food for themselves during the summer season, how many are food shopping for weekend guests, etc. So the Census number is not relevant to the total picture of "want" or "need" and it should not be taken as any indication that there are not enough people to support such a new fresh produce market. Such a new business will also create jobs for local people and that is a benefit to the community as a whole.

Want and need are perfectly compatible in this context. Residents of the Southampton Village area have wanted more affordable food options and a larger market that offers more options. This is a need as well. We have a situation now where the principal supermarket in the area is in bankruptcy. I for one have noticed considerable jump in prices for certain items I purchase. At worse this market could shutter its doors. Then what are the options? Especially for the people who don't drive. How often have we seen a cab picking up or dropping someone off to go shopping. What do we tell them next take a cab to Hampton Bays. And those that walk to the market? Take a hike! The Waldbaums is a good store. But it lacking in choice. And as much as there are good employees there, there are those that think they are doing us a favor for working there. I'm all for supporting the local farms and food stands and shopping there. But in season they could be more competitive in their pricing. The truth is that the Village attacked the project in Tuckahoe to help out storeowners in the Village .i.e. landlords not merchants. Now they exploiting the residents desire for more options to help out another landlord. Up to a certain point its understandable, the property taxes pay bills.

Maybe when Waldbaums shutters its doors the opportunity will be ripe for Trader Joes to finally consider coming to town.
The options no one spoke about above is Pea Pod- delivering groceries to you when its convenient for you.
Personally I would prefer to buy from farm stands and the local fish and meat markets to keep our neighbors in business.

I would like at least two new stores. Isn't competition part of capitalism? Competition should lead to a healthier economy. It is survival of the fittest. If the current businesses can't change with the times to accommodate the community, they will have to give up their space. I think the Town is doing a decent job by looking at all new ideas, and involving the community by listening to their concerns. Obviously by the comments- there is not just one concern. Will a new grocery store in SH really destroy the area? Really??????????????????

Is there no over-development project that cannot be rationalized in the name of "capitalism"? How about not building something in the name of preservation? Besides, you are missing one of the most important tenets of your capitalist competition theory: need. As there is no rational need beyond the wants of convenience, then there is no competition and prices will not change.

Obviously like some well informed people are commenting here. Any opinions on the following question: If the village allowed this, would it be a precedent for neighboring property owners to request similar treatment for their properties?

According to the patch article the change would effect 9 parcels of land, not just the one eyed for the market. Zoning is not my expertise so thank you for your input.

Sorry, I should have provided the source for the above statement. Here it is

http://southampton.patch.com/articles/hearing-thursday-on-village-grocery-store-law

Mr. Blaugh didn't "choose his words very carefully" when it come to aggrandizing himself. Since when did he "lead the fight against the Tuckahoe Mall"? This will come as a shock to the Tuckahoe CAC, and the people who carried petitions, attended meetings, sponsored the ads and wrote letters. Mr. Blaugh was hardly involved until the effort had some political capital, and then his "contribution" nearly sabatoged it. Mr. Blaugh castigates Mr. D'agostino's opinion as only "representing his own interests", then offers his own selective opinion as representiative of the community at large. Concerned citizens have been working hard to have input into what constitutes a "community benefit" and what should be traded for it. Mr. Blaugh, a realtor, assumes that everyone agrees with him, or should as fact on his say so, that the supermarket he favors is, ipso facto, a "community benefit" and justifies "spot zoning". Wrong! And for Mr. Blaugh and the others who have weighed in here: there IS a significant distinction between personal "want" and "public need". People "want" many things, but to posit and fulfill a "public need" which draws on the public's assets, there must be agreement as to need, rational justification, and evaluation of the consequences. Whoever identifies the need gains a great deal of political power. The property owner holds the title, subject to zoning restrictions, zoning restrictions are what the community holds, owns -- and must protect.

Faustina,
Not everyone worked the with the CAC. Political capital is hard to come by, but when you have it, it can pay dividends when carefully applied. At no time was the outcome of the Tuckahoe Mall ever in question, in my opinion. The movement against it was wide spread and well organized in a variety of quarters. The net result: No Mall Here!

I agree with Mr. Blaugh and would add that the Glennon's have a right to apply for a change in zoning, as does any other property owner in the Town or Village. When the subject of Waldbaum's comes up, people always say "I wish we had another market". I've never heard anyone say "I'm so glad we just have Waldbaum's". The notion is rediculous. You don't generally get people to say they're "in favor" with something. Only the objectors come out for a howl and a hoot. Well, this one is all for it and I can't wait for a new market to come to our village!

Blaugh is politically saavy and used his prowess wisely during the Tuckahoe Mall battle. I know, I sat quietly on the front lines and watched him apply pressure very skillfully, where it was felt and where it was needed. Not everyone carries petitions for the CAC. He's on the right side as an advocate "for the public" and the environment. He always has been. You don't know him, Faustina, nor do you know the battles he's championed here and elsewhere, not all of which make the news. He's a stealth bomber when he needs to be. And his success in running local political campaigns is unsurpassed and he only runs people for office who he believes in, regardless of party affiliation. So lighten up if you don't know the man.

I know the man, Frog, but obviously not intimately enough to try to turn him into a prince via comments such as yours. And what exactly do you mean when you state that: "he only runs people for office who he believes in"? In what capacity does he run people for office?

If you 'know the man' then you know his candidates, too: Mayor Epley, Trustees McGann, Yastrzemski, Cannon, Robinson and SH Town Clerk candidate Marla Schwenk. He's been the Village Trustee's campaign manager for the past 7 years. A mixture of Dems, Reps and Indies. He helped bring a little organization to the Democratic Party when they were in disarray (working with Mike and the core organizers) He's a champion for village causes. The most recent is his petition for the Bay Street Theatre where he garnered huge support by local residents and businesspeople for their move to the Parrish building on Jobs Lane. He's the former Chair of the ARB and currently co-chairs the village environmental committee. Stil think you know him?

As I said, I probably don't know him as well as you do, although I think I know who Frog is.