Congratulations were being given out at the Oyster Bay Town Board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 27. The town congratulated the founders of Save the Jewel By the Bay (SJBB) and they in turn complimented the town, their Planner David Portman and Jack Libert, commissioner of the department of planning and development for their work in proposing new guidelines for the historic hamlet to preserve the historic architecture and quality of life in the hamlet. Mr. Portman reported on the results of the Residential Moratorium that will end on Jan. 23, 2007. (The Town of Oyster Bay has posted the report on their website: www.oysterbaytown.com and click on the Oyster Bay Hamlet Study Presentation box.)

The proposed changes concern the creation of a Residence Design District for which Mr. Portman suggested a consultant be retained to do the study, and the rezoning of certain residential properties in the Florence Park area where houses are on sites that are 10,000 sq. ft. to 20,000 sq. ft. and are zoned for 6,000 sq. ft. Changing the zoning in that area will preserve the character of the section and should prevent subdivision of the lots. The town also proposes creating a recreation zone in the area of the Mill Pond Overlook and the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge located at the Mill Pond.

Another proposal will create a new zoning classification called a Residence Design District, where all requests for demolition permits for residences more than 50-years old (the minimum age for historic designation) would require site plan approval from the Town's Planning Advisory Board and new requirements regarding the maximum permitted gross floor area and maximum building height would be established, as well as the height-setback ratio.

Supervisor John Venditto said the moratorium was to stop building to allow the town to "put on their thinking caps," get the community involved and arrive at a consensus for the hamlet and ultimately the township. It will be a plan for the future, one, five, 10 and 20 years from now. He said, "Nothing is being written in stone. If we don't like the laws we will throw them out." When the hearing ended, Bob Wieboldt, executive vice president of the Long Island Builder's Institute said in his view, making the houses smaller would result in a loss of revenue to the building trades.

The movement was brought to the town first as Save the Jewel By the Bay group marched in the July 4th parade two years ago and declared their wish to be independent of the move to tear down older houses and replace them with McMansions. Mr. Venditto said, "Every community should have such a civic group." Mr. Portman qualified the statement saying the benefit here was that SJBB had a positive plan and were not a negative group, which was a great help in the process.

To solve the problems the town asked their planner, David Portman to study the hamlet to define the problem and see what could be done. Working with the co-founders of the Jewel By the Bay, Kathy Prinz, Ben Jankowski and Rita Pecora and with the Commissioner of Planning and Development Bob Liepert, they looked at what was here in terms of zoning and architecture. SJBB took photographs of existing homes and at the hearing a slide presentation showed the various architectural styles exemplified in the hamlet. Those homes of architectural distinction are the rich visual fabric of the hamlet that they would like to see preserved. The houses exhibited included: Colonial, Stick-Style, Vernacular Victorian, Italianate, Queen Anne, Shingle Style, Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, and the Oyster Bay High School, the only Art Deco building in the hamlet.

Mr. Portman divided the hamlet into six areas for potential historic districts. He suggested the town hire an architectural design consultant to do an up-to-date comprehensive study of the entire area, including the commercial areas. The plan is to create a menu of design standards for builders or homeowners. Mr. Portman said it would use the power of positive suggestion with people making positive decisions based on a standard as opposed to zoning laws that say what you can't do.

Mr. Portman has also proposed changes in the setbacks and rooflines for houses - are all intended to scale back development. The size of a house would depend on an analysis of the square footage of the eight surrounding houses. This itself will slow development to a more gradual change said Mr. Portman. It allows for larger houses but still in proportion to the existing neighborhood.

Demolitions he said are currently permitted if the owner has the needed paperwork showing the house was disconnected from services such as gas and electricity.

The proposed standards would also avoid creating small alleyways between houses that prevent light and air from getting into the houses. Changing some zoning laws such as lowering the roof height, (which is measured at mid-point of the slope) would change the height setback ratio. It is expected to soften the impact of new construction. At the hearing Gennero Pasquale objected to the change saying it would not be aesthetically in keeping with the other houses in the area.

The town is considering some new ideas to slow development. The use of steep slopes is being looked at townwide. When building lots are used up, developers seek new sites where houses can be built by using extreme building methods such as retaining walls when a house is cut into a hill. That type of development would need special permits for disturbing steep slopes to prevent destabilization, erosion and sedimentation and mudslides.

Wetlands are another area that developers are looking into that the town would like to exclude as building locations.

Kyle Rabin, Friends of the Bay executive director praised the work done so far by the SJBB and the town. He said the further work on steep slopes and trees will help in storm water and sewage control and habitat preservation.

Mr. Portman said they plan on working with the Parks Department on creating a tree ordinance. They need a tree list. Tom Golon, president of Wonderland Tree Care and past president of the Long Island Arborist and Tree Care Industry supported the tree ordinance and suggested that the town adopt pruning standards to preserve trees.

"We welcome the help," said Mr. Venditto.

Supervisor Venditto summed up the hearing: "We are moving out of the dark ages of older zoning ordinances. We are creating rules which should last for the next 40, 50 or 60 years. We are at a crossroads. We have to take charge. The old rules don't get the job done." Mr. Portman said there should be a Town Board meeting in March to discuss townwide changes to halt the McMansion march.

The first speaker was Charla Bolton of the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities who said she had been invited to workshops on preservation by the Oyster Bay Historical Society and Friends of Raynham Hall and by SJBB. She congratulated the town on their responsiveness to the residents' initiative and their willingness to address the issues brought up. She said, "If adopted, this should put Oyster Bay on the map of Long Island - for preventing tear downs and preserving the character of older communities." There was applause.

Ms. Bolton said SPLIA supports the need for an architectural study and creating historic district design. She said, "Given the town's leaderless Landmarks Preservation Commission [since the death of Dorothy Horton McGee], a chair should be appointed and the commission should work at having a full complement of qualified members to revise the current Landmark Law to be consistent with federal and state guidelines. There should be regular meetings held to work and have a program of landmark designation in the works and to allow for preservation reviews and access to the commission so it will not be a mysterious group that meets once in a while," concluded Ms. Bolton.

Mr. Venditto said he would look at the issues.

Ms. Bolton said, "The Town of Oyster Bay has a huge number of historic houses and only has about 30 landmarks and no historic districts." She said SPLIA would be willing to help with the survey and design recommendations for the newly re-constituted landmarks commission, and for them to coordinate with other boards of the town.

Bob Brusca congratulated the town and the SJBB for not turning a blind eye to things both here in the hamlet and townwide. He said potential development must be taken sincerely since it can disrupt the scale and character of the town. He said the town was working on a responsible appropriate development resource that shows a fine quality of leadership.

Kathy Prinz of SJBB said the moratorium has been a fruitful time as everyone worked together on ways to protect Oyster Bay. She said, "This local region has been brought to national attention since the historic hamlet is one of 300 historic communities nationwide threatened by teardowns. This is a turning point in this historic community." She was in favor of the architectural review of the hamlet saying, "By learning what we have we can make decisions for design controls that will honor the community character."

Ben Jankowski of SJBB read a letter from Tom Kuehhas, Oyster Bay Historical Society director saying the suggestions have their whole-hearted support in encouraging preservation through architectural design controls. He offered his help in the architectural survey work.

Bob Preston, a local resident questioned some of the building reduction methods saying that people nowadays want a four-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home. He said from Nov. 2004 to 2005 - 47 houses sold in the hamlet; from Nov. 2005 to 2006 - 39 houses were sold, a 20 percent reduction. He said from September to November there were only nine sales. He said there are currently 72 houses for sale, which is a two-year supply.

John Barbierie, an architect said review boards become taste boards. He said the regulations would restrict the work of architects.

Patrice Benneward of the Glenwood/Glen Head Civic Association said she was delighted that the town is moving to protect the historic houses that are rapidly disappearing in her area and requested an architectural study of that area too. "The cavalry is coming," said Mr. Venditto.

Matthew Meng, East Norwich Civic Association president had praise for both the town and the SJBB for their work at preservation.

The board is also considering adopting Star Energy requirements for buildings. Neal Lewis of the Neighborhood Network spoke in favor of the legislation which he said, will save both money for residents and energy to help the environment. FOB's Kyle Rabin said, "It is crucial to be implementing such energy efficiency measures at the local level. A watt of electricity not consumed translates to cleaner air and water resources. Acting locally through your leadership will also help to address the threats posed by climate change."