Traffic code to be updated, raising senior tax assistance cap to $50K

The Bellport Village Board of Trustees held their October meeting on Monday, Oct. 26.

Two items for public review, on traffic code and tax breaks for seniors, were discussed by the board and tabled the public hearing to Monday, Nov. 23 meeting.

The first item, originally on the September 28 agenda, was for an amendment in Chapter 21 Zoning, off-street parking requirements in the residential districts.

Town attorney, Deirdre Cicero said that upon the Village completing work on the street/curbs  in front of a local church in a residential area, the parking code was reviewed for the new features (i.e. curb cuts).

“There is a code section that has to do with driveways and curb-cuts in the residential district that were tucked and hidden away under daycare facilities. So nobody knew they were there, nobody was applying them to residential districts because they were tucked in the daycare facility section,” said Cicero.

The first part of the amendment struck Division 1A in the village code and the second replaced in 21-458. The requirements would apply to all residential areas.

Cicero said this was in line with keeping parking facilities in residential areas new regulations so that the village would not become “all parking lots” and maintain open spaces.

Trustee Lorraine Kuehn expressed her concerns with 21-458, which currently states, “no property shall have more than one curb cut or driveway connecting a privately owned property.”

“There are many residents that have two curb cuts and have for years since—I’ve been here 14 years and it’s been there,” said Kuehn.

Kuehn said residents owning additional vehicles, e.g. a sports car, boat, or trailer would not be able to park based on the existing regulations that said vehicles and trailers could not be closer than the ten yard line.

Cicero said that the regulations brought up by Kuehn were already existing in code and that properties built prior to 2003 would be categorized as pre-existing, non-conforming, i.e. grandfathered.

For new or proposed construction, a variance could be sought after, according to Cicero. “So it is for prohibition, but they do have that appeal to the zoning board…there is flexibility.”    

Kuehn said this would show favoritism. “I’m going to be honest, [those] south of South Country Road, because they have longer driveways.” said Kuehn.

Kuehn was also wary of how residents could prove their curb cuts were from prior to 2003.

Mayor Maureen Veitch said that the Village had aerial maps dating back to the 1970s.

“I don’t necessarily want to see a bunch of vehicles in the front yard of my neighbor. And I think there are other neighbors would feel the same way. This was something that the Village felt strongly about to put in the book,” said Veitch.

Trustee Michael Young cautioned that the requirement of a distance of 10 feet from the driveway to property line “works for some houses but not all.”

Polner, said, “If you park a boat beyond the fence-line but still within the 10 feet you’re in violation. I would change the restriction on 10 feet, a lot of houses have driveways adjacent to neighboring property. It limits their ability to park vehicles, recreational vehicles.”

The only person who spoke during the public hearing was Loretta Drew who asked for clarification on what constituted two curb cuts, such as a circular driveway.

Cicero said that the number of curb cuts would be the same and that the amendment would apply to only new properties or new construction, not existing property.

Veitch said that the board members would continue to deliberate on specific language, pending more input from the public. The public hearing was adjourned to the next board meeting on Monday, Nov. 23, 7 pm.

Another public hearing on 6-2026 local law amending Chapter 20 taxation article two regarding senior citizens’ tax exemption.

Veitch noted that the relief for seniors had not been considered by the village since 2013 and that the current threshold for relief to be given was $29,000 on a 50 percent to 5 percent sliding scale.

“We should update to represent today’s economies and look at other communities,” said Veitch. “[There is] no number proposed tonight. We would like to hear from the public.”

Trustee Polner said after reviewing the thresholds of other municipalities that he not opposed and felt the village should follow the country’s threshold of $50,000.

Young said he had no recommendation at the moment, wanting to listen to the audience first.

Kuehn said she would “certainly want to up the minimum up to $50,000” and that this figure would be in line with the threshold of surrounding municipalities of Quogue, Southhampton, and Westhampton. Taxes and prices have gone up, the rate hasn’t.”

Deputy mayor Nathan Rohrmeier also agreed that $50,000 would be comparable to neighboring municipalities. 

There were no members of the public who elected to speak on this matter at the meeting. The public hearing was adjourned to the next board meeting on Monday, Nov. 23, 7 pm.