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CSH in the News >
Town of Huntington - Huntington Calls For Moratorium On All Golf Courses
Town of Huntington - Huntington Calls For Moratorium On All Golf Courses
Huntington -- Dec 13, 2005 -- Supervisor Frank P. Petrone and Councilman Mark Cuthbertson today introduced legislation calling for the enactment of a temporary moratorium on the development of all privately-owned golf courses in the Town of Huntington.
At a press conference outside the gates of the Cold Spring County Club in Cold Spring Harbor, Supervisor Petrone and Councilman Cuthbertson said the purpose of the moratorium is to allow for the preparation of a comprehensive study of how to best plan and manage in the event these properties become subject to residential development. Joining the Town leaders at Tuesday's event were representatives of the Cold Spring Hills Civic Association, Cold Spring Heights Civic Association and the Ft. Salonga Civic Association.
"With the continued loss of open space, the eight remaining privately-owned golf courses are prime targets for developers," Supervisor Petrone said. "The intent of this temporary moratorium is simple - to allow the preparation of a comprehensive analysis and study on how these properties may be protected and potential adverse impacts addressed should the owners pursue development."
Said Councilman Cuthbertson: "We simply cannot wait until more development plans come through our door to build on golf courses. We must begin taking the steps toward a comprehensive preservation plan today."
There are currently eight privately owned golf courses in Huntington totaling nearly 900 acres of open space - predominantly all zoned residential. The majority of these properties are located in environmentally sensitive areas, including wetlands, waterfront, steep slopes and special groundwater protection areas. The eight courses are: Huntington Country Club, Huntington Crescent Club, Indian Hills Country Club, Cold Spring Country Club, Dix Hills Golf Course, Greens at Half Hollow, Hamlet Golf and Country Club, and the Hollow Hills Golf Course. Recent news reports state that at least two of these courses – Cold Spring and Indian Hills in Ft. Salonga – may be targeted for partial or whole residential development.
The enactment of the moratorium will allow the Town to effectively analyze all private golf course subdivision plans and to consider consistent requirements and alternative land use and environmental scenarios. The Town Board will be reviewing any negative effects development of these golf courses might have on the surrounding communities. The overall goal is to preserve the unique features and characteristics of Huntington.
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