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Politics & Government

Hearing Thursday on Village Grocery Store Law

Legislation could mean a new supermarket in Southampton Village.

A Southampton Village Board public hearing is scheduled Thursday on a proposed revision to the zoning law to allow for grocery stores to be built in the highway business zone — a plan nearby grocers are not happy with.

The legislation would affect just nine parcels, one of which — the site of a former car dealership at the corner of Flying Point Road and Hampton Road — is already being eyed for a supermarket.

Mike DeGennaro of Avanti Culinary Market in Water Mill and Dennis Schmidt of Schmidt's Market , which would draw business away from their establishments, during the Dec. 8 Village Board meeting.

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With large supermarkets in both and , a short drive from the village, Schmidt said the village doesn't need a 20,000-square-foot grocery store.

Southampton Village is also served by a on Jagger Lane.

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Passing the law does not mean a supermarket would be automatically approved, Village Mayor Mark Epley noted. It would have to go through the normal process with the planning board and, because it would be considered a "special exception use," also need the green light from the village board.

According to Epley, residents have embraced the idea of a new option in the village for grocery shopping.

The public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at .

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