Community Backlash Halts Affordable Housing Proposal in East Hampton

A proposal to rezone agricultural land for 79 affordable condominiums has led to significant pushback from the East Hampton community. Nearly 3,000 signatures were gathered on a petition against the plan, causing it to be abandoned within a week.

On December 2, developer Kirby Marcantonio, aged 73, presented his vision for 79 workforce condominiums situated on two lots at 152 Three Mile Harbor Road and 33 West Drive, next to Round Swamp Farm market. He had a contract to acquire the properties, which were listed for a combined price of $5.62 million.

The proposal involved changing the zoning to allow for affordable housing, aiming for a density beyond what’s typically permitted in the area.

Marcantonio argued that the private sector could address the housing shortage for those wanting to live and work in the area, stating, “The driving force behind this is the idea that the private sector can provide housing in areas where housing is far out of reach for most people.”

What followed was an immediate surge in community activism, with residents mobilizing online to collect signatures against the development. Just a week later, on December 8, the plan was effectively dead.

As the fallout continued, community members expressed confusion over the process. One homeowner, who wished to remain anonymous, remarked, “There wasn’t even a public hearing. It felt like this was being pushed through when no one was around.”

People were particularly irked by the proposed selling structure. Instead of offering the condos directly to residents, they were intended for employers to house their workers. There was no disagreement on the need for affordable housing, but many felt this model was inappropriate.

A resident pointed out, “He (Marcantonio) wants to sell these condos to businessmen for probably $750,000 to $1 million a unit… That’s not affordable. That’s not how affordable housing works.” Marcantonio denied these claims.

Round Swamp Farm owner Carolyn Snyder further fueled the opposition. She initiated a Change.org petition titled “Rejecting Zone Change Request for 79 Condominiums,” which quickly amassed over 2,700 signatures by December 8.

In her words, “I know there’s a housing shortage, but this isn’t an affordable housing issue. This is an overcrowding issue… Who would want to live in the Hamptons if it looked like Far Rockaway?”

Marcantonio maintained that his plan could alleviate local housing woes, citing that many employees commute long distances, with some police officers living in Smithtown due to high local real estate costs.

After discussions with town officials in April, Marcantonio’s team was encouraged to examine whether their site might accommodate more than the typical limit of 60 units given its two-lot status. They had aimed to present their plans at the December 2 meeting, but community opposition quickly overshadowed their efforts.

In the wake of the uproar, Marcantonio and his partners decided to withdraw from the purchase agreement. Meanwhile, East Hampton officials publicly questioned the legitimacy of the development.

Town Supervisor Kathy Burke Gonzalez issued a statement saying she could not support the project, stating that it did not meet the community’s definition of affordable housing and that it didn’t fit the neighborhood’s character. The majority of the Town Council seemed unwilling to move forward.

Despite the withdrawal, discussions remained heated during the town board meeting on December 9. Local residents continued to express their worries about the future. Brian Niggles, speaking for the family that owns Round Swamp Farm, said, “Living there and not knowing exactly what’s going to happen in the future, it’s causing a lot of disruption to all of our lives.”

Meanwhile, another project at 350 Pantigo Road—already zoned for affordable housing—still has a chance. Marcantonio’s team purchased this site two years ago and aims to create 45 townhouses for essential workers, addressing local needs.

Marcantonio explained that this project is moving forward without the zoning battles that plagued the failed proposal because it’s already in an acceptable zone. However, he doesn’t claim to have all the answers regarding the success of his plans. “If that’s not the place, you can probably find something else,” he stated. “I’ll try.”