In Community News

Southold Chicken Farm Controversy

February 1, 2026 In Community News 6 Mins Read

Why the Southold Chicken Farm Controversy Has Residents Speaking Out

Real Talk. Real People. Southold knows farming. But the growing Southold chicken farm controversy has forced residents to confront where farming belongs in a changing community. Agriculture is woven into this town’s history, economy, and identity. What Southold is not used to is waking up to find that a 6,000 chicken commercial egg operation is being proposed in the middle of a historic, residential neighborhood that includes affordable housing built by the community itself.

That is exactly what is unfolding on Ackerly Pond Lane, at the center of the Southold chicken farm controversy, where a quiet 15.9-acre property has suddenly become ground zero for a debate that goes far beyond chickens, eggs, or farming in general.

The proposal at the heart of the Southold chicken farm controversy comes from Grant Callahan, an NYU real estate student graduating this spring, who has applied to the Southold Town Planning Board to open Rejuvenate Farms, a pasture-raised egg operation housing up to 6,000 hens.

On paper, the pitch is sustainable agriculture. On the ground, neighbors are asking whether this proposal fits the place it is being asked to occupy.

The Pushback Was Immediate

When the Planning Board opened the public hearing on the Southold chicken farm controversy, the room filled quickly, not with people opposed to farming, but with residents raising serious questions about location, scale, and long-term impact.

Concerns raised by the community included:

Odors from manure generated by thousands of birds
Increased flies, rodents, and other pests
Risks to groundwater and air quality
Noise and daily operational disruptions
Impacts on quality of life and property values

These concerns are not abstract. Six thousand chickens produce a significant amount of waste. Even well-managed operations create impacts, and those impacts intensify when placed close to homes.

This Is Not Just Any Neighborhood

Ackerly Pond Lane is not isolated farmland far from residential life. It is surrounded by homes, families, historic affordable housing community, Colonial Village, that exists because Southold made a deliberate choice to keep working people here.

This land reflects years of community planning, not accidental development. It represents decisions about housing, density, and livability that residents fought to preserve. That context matters. So when a commercial-scale poultry operation is proposed here, residents are asking a fair and necessary question. Why this location?

Water Changes Everything in the Southold Chicken Farm Controversy

Clean water is already one of the most fragile resources on the North Fork. Many residents rely on private wells and shallow aquifers. Once groundwater is contaminated, there is no quick or easy fix. Large poultry operations are known to carry risks related to nitrate pollution, bacteria, and runoff from manure, especially during heavy rain events. Even with best practices, failures and oversights happen.

Residents are asking questions that demand clear answers:

How will groundwater be protected over time?
How often will nearby wells be tested, and by whom?
Who is financially responsible if contamination occurs?
Will this operation be permitted to access the public water system?

Good intentions do not protect aquifers. Enforceable safeguards do.

Where Suffolk County Water Comes In During the Southold Chicken Farm Controversy

This debate does not exist in a vacuum. Suffolk County has been grappling with water quality and supply issues for years, particularly on the East End.

The Suffolk County Water Authority has pursued plans to expand public water infrastructure on the North Fork, including proposed pipeline extensions into areas that have long relied on private wells. These efforts have sparked debate among residents and local officials over system capacity, growth pressure, and long-term environmental impact. That makes one question especially important.

If a large commercial poultry operation is approved in a residential area, will it be allowed to draw from a public water system that is already under strain? Residents are not only concerned about today. They are concerned about precedent.

What Local Politicians Have Said, and Not Said, About the Southold Chicken Farm Controversy

So far, no elected official has issued a formal public endorsement or rejection of the proposed chicken farm. That silence, however, does not mean water concerns are new or insignificant.

County and town officials have spent years acknowledging the vulnerability of Long Island’s aquifer system. They have debated nitrogen pollution, septic system failures, and the long-term sustainability of drinking water across Suffolk County. Those same unresolved concerns are now at the center of this proposal.

Residents are watching closely to see whether local and county leaders will apply the same caution they have voiced in broader water debates to a specific project that could affect a residential neighborhood and surrounding farmland.

Even the Vineyards Are Pushing Back

This is not only a residential concern. Local vineyards have also raised objections, including Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery.

In a letter submitted to the Planning Board, Sparkling Pointe cited concerns about odor impacts from a large poultry operation and how those impacts could affect visitors, outdoor experiences, nearby schools, and surrounding businesses.

When one agricultural operation raises concerns about another, the issue shifts from emotion to compatibility, environmental balance, and economic impact.

Right to Farm Does Not Mean Right to Ignore Context

Southold’s Right to Farm law exists to protect agriculture from unreasonable interference. It was never intended to override thoughtful land use planning or dismiss legitimate community impact.

The law allows farming. It does not require the town to treat every location as appropriate for every scale of operation.

Protecting agriculture and protecting neighborhoods should work together.

What the Community Is Really Saying

Strip away assumptions and labels, and the message from residents is consistent:

We support farming.
We support sustainability.
We support local food.
We do not support placing a large commercial poultry operation in the middle of a residential, historic, affordable housing community.

That is not anti-farm. That is pro-community.

The Decision Ahead

The Planning Board’s decision will shape more than a single application. It will signal whether Southold prioritizes clean water, environmental protection, and community trust, or whether technical compliance alone is enough. Once a precedent is set, it is difficult to reverse. This debate is not just about chickens. It is about land use, water, and the future of the community.

Real Talk. Real People.

In Local Government & Planning

The Southampton $25 Million Parking Lot

February 1, 2026 In Local Government & Planning 5 Mins Read

A $25 Million Parking Lot?

Real Talk, Real People. Let’s talk about the $25 million parking lot. Yes. Parking lot. Southampton Town just voted unanimously to spend $25.8 million to buy a single estate at 1950 Meadow Lane, bulldoze an 8,000-square-foot mansion, remove the pool, and turn one of the most expensive pieces of land in the country into Southampton public beach access and parking.

Cover Image: Photo courtesey Tim Davis, The Corcoran Group, https://timdavishamptons.com/

If your first reaction was disbelief, you are not alone, because teachers are commuting an hour or more each way, and nurses are living with roommates well into adulthood. Young families are leaving the East End altogether, and organizations like the Town of Southampton Housing Authority (TSHA) are working overtime to stretch limited housing resources to meet very real needs. So the question everyone is asking makes sense: How does Southampton public beach access help the people who actually live here actually live here?

The Biggest Misunderstanding

The most common reaction sounds like this. Why don’t they use that $25 million to build housing? Here is the frustrating truth. They legally cannot. The Meadow Lane purchase is being funded by the Community Preservation Fund (CPF). This fund is paid for by a 2 percent real estate transfer tax and was created by New York State law for one specific purpose. Preservation.

CPF money is designed to stop development, not create it. It protects drinking water, open space, wetlands, farmland, and shoreline access. It cannot be used to build apartments, condos, or affordable housing. So when Southampton buys this Meadow Lane property, it is not choosing a parking lot instead of housing. It is using CPF exactly as the law requires, to secure land and protect Southampton public beach access for future generations

Why This Property Was Chosen

This was not a random piece of land. Meadow Lane, often called Billionaire’s Row, is one of the most exclusive stretches of oceanfront property in the country. For decades, it has effectively been off-limits to the general public, lined with private estates, security gates, and manicured hedges separating residents from the Atlantic Ocean.

The Town has made it clear that this purchase was about more than land. It was about access. This acquisition creates the only Town-managed Southampton public ocean access point within Southampton Village. That matters. Not symbolically, but practically.

Ocean access on the East End is limited, increasingly privatized, and under constant pressure. When access disappears, it rarely comes back. The Town viewed this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure permanent Southampton public beach access on a shoreline that has steadily slipped behind gates and driveways. The parking lot is not the goal: Access is.

The Town’s position is simple. The ocean should not belong only to those who can afford a mansion on Meadow Lane. Southampton public beach access should belong to everyone who lives here, works here, and pays taxes here.

Preservation Does Not House People

Here is where the conversation shifts. Preservation does not put a roof over anyone’s head. While CPF keeps land undeveloped, the housing crisis continues to squeeze the people who make the Hamptons function year-round. This is where the Community Housing Fund (CHF) comes in.

Approved by voters in 2022, CHF is funded by a separate 0.5 percent transfer tax and is dedicated exclusively to housing. Affordable housing. Workforce housing. Senior housing.

It does not have CPF-level money yet. But it is finally moving from policy to action.

What Is Actually Happening With Housing

In late 2025, Southampton passed new Housing Overlay District laws that allow qualifying affordable housing projects to bypass years of zoning delays.

Affordable condos at The Enclave in Westhampton are now accepting applications. Households earning under roughly $174,000 for one to two people may qualify to buy.

The Town is also offering Plus One grants of up to $125,000 to homeowners who build accessory apartments and rent them at fair prices to local workers. This is not a cure-all. But it is a movement.

Why This Matters to TSHA

This is where policy becomes personal. TSHA serves seniors on fixed incomes, working families, people with disabilities, and residents who have lived here their entire lives. When housing options disappear, TSHA feels it immediately. Waitlists grow. Transitions stall. Families remain stuck because there is nowhere affordable to move next. CHF matters to TSHA because every new affordable unit, every ADU, and every housing option outside the authority helps relieve pressure inside it. CPF does not solve housing. But CHF strengthens the ecosystem TSHA relies on to serve the community.

This Is Not Parking Versus People

This is not about a parking lot versus housing. It is about whether Southampton can preserve land, preserve Southampton public beach access, and preserve community at the same time. Sometimes the messaging fails. Sometimes the timing feels off. But disengagement is the real risk.

Your Town. Your Voice.

The most important meeting this month is Tuesday, February 24 at 6:00 PM, the Southampton Town Board evening session.

This is when working residents are meant to be heard. You can attend in person, participate virtually, or submit written comments for the official record. You do not need to be a policy expert. You just need to be honest. This is your town. These are your funds. These are your neighbors. Real talk. Real people.

In affordable housing

Luv Michael, Real Families, and a Community That Said Yes

December 15, 2025 In affordable housing 5 Mins Read

Real Talk, Real People. Real Needs. Real Action. Real Solutions. Two years of work led to this moment. Countless meetings. More than twenty speakers. And one room filled, by the end, with relief, pride, gratitude, and joy.

This week, the Town of Southampton approved funding for Luv Michael Homes, a decision that quietly yet profoundly changed lives for families whose deepest fear is a question most of us never have to ask. Who will care for my child when I can no longer?

A Question Parents Carry Every Day

Luv Michael serves an underserved and often overlooked community. Adults living on the autism spectrum and with developmental disabilities deserve housing, dignity, independence, and belonging.

For parents of children with disabilities, caregiving has no off switch. It is twenty-four hours a day, every day, for life. As parents grow older, the fear sharpens.

Where will my child live?
Who will protect them?
Who will truly see them?

These are not hypothetical questions. They are lived realities.

Perspective From Privilege

I live in privilege. I have two healthy daughters, and I still worry about them. I worry about their safety, their futures, and their happiness. That awareness made this moment even more powerful. I cannot imagine loving your child just as fiercely while knowing they will always need support and wondering who will step in when you no longer can. That is why Luv Michael matters.

What Luv Michael Has Built

Luv Michael does not simply provide housing. Luv Michael builds community. Residents live independently with support. They work. They form friendships. They worship. They train. They compete. They celebrate milestones. They belong. They are not hidden away. They are part of Southampton. In a region where housing costs have pushed most group homes out of reach, what Luv Michael has created is rare and essential.

One of the Best Days of My Year

One of the best days I had this year was spent with the staff, residents, and families of Luv Michael at Surfers Healing. Luv Michael partners with Surfers Healing, a nonprofit that brings legendary surfers and volunteers together to give autistic children and adults one perfect day at the beach.

That day was exactly that.

Parents who live with constant worry watched their children rise on the waves with confidence and joy. Volunteers cheered. Families laughed. Fear softened, even if only for a day. It was healing.

Jenna’s Words

During the public hearing, resident Jenna stood up and spoke for herself. She said that Luv Michael changed her life for the better. She talked about coming to Southampton for the first time and feeling something immediately.

She said that the moment she visited, she knew this was a community she wanted to be part of and that she did not want to leave.

Jenna spoke about the people around her. She talked about loving the people she lives with and grows with every day. She spoke about the support she receives and the friendships she has made.

She shared her pride in what she has accomplished. She talked about competing in races, being hugged and cheered on, and earning two gold medals. She spoke about her job and how meaningful it is to her, as well as her love for working with the Southampton Playhouse.

Most of all, Jenna wanted the Town Board to hear directly from her. She spoke about lifelong friendships, about feeling welcomed, and about how incredible this life feels to her now. She told them she felt it was important for them to hear it from her.

And the room listened.

A Dream Come True for Her Family

At Surfers Healing, I met Jenna’s parents. They shared something that put everything into perspective. Before Luv Michael, Jenna was quiet and timid. She held back. She stayed small.

Watching her now, living independently, making friends, inspiring others, and surfing in the ocean, they told me this life feels like a dream they were never sure they would see.

I saw Jenna’s father again yesterday. What made me happiest was watching him watch her. Watching his pride. Watching his joy. Watching his relief as his daughter continues to grow and flourish. full gallery click here:

That kind of transformation does not happen by accident. It happens because support exists. It happens because the community exists. It happens because belief exists.

Voices That Filled the Room

More than twenty people spoke that night. Parents. Residents. Faith leaders. Advocates. Caregivers. They spoke about independence. About dignity. About fear turning into hope. About stability and belonging. As each person stood, the energy in the room shifted. This was not about policy alone. This was about humanity.

By the end, the room was elated. People were smiling. Some were emotional. There was a shared sense that something meaningful had been accomplished together.

A True Accomplishment

This project was two years in the making. It required perseverance, collaboration, and trust between Luv Michael, the Community Housing Fund Advisory Board, town leadership, and families who never stopped advocating. The approval ensures long-term affordability and stability for a home serving adults on the autism spectrum. It provides something families rarely get: Peace of mind.

Why This Matters

A community is measured by how it cares for its most vulnerable members. This decision shows what happens when real people speak honestly about real concerns and leaders respond with compassion and action.

Luv Michael is not just a housing model. It is a promise. A promise to families. A promise to residents. A promise that no one will be forgotten.

Real talk. Real people. Real concerns. Real problems. Real action. Real solutions.

And this week, Southampton delivered.

In affordable housing

Think You Can’t Buy in Chelsea? Think Again

December 3, 2025 In affordable housing 4 Mins Read

Affordable Chelsea Co-op Lottery Opens | 21 Units for Sale

What If You Could Buy in Chelsea?

Affordable homeownership in Manhattan always sounds like something your cousin’s friend’s neighbor heard about once, but nobody actually sees in real life. Well, surprise this time it’s real, and the door just cracked open for middle-income New Yorkers who thought buying in Chelsea was about as likely as finding a parking spot in SoHo on a Saturday.

The newest affordable housing lottery at 170 West 22nd Street is offering 21 co-op units starting at $385,865, and yes, I know in 2026, that number looks like a typo. But stay with me.

A Chelsea Home… For Regular People? Stop. Really.

Let’s set the scene:
Chelsea. Manhattan. Art galleries. Gelato. That one friend who swears they “manifested” their apartment. And right in the middle of it all

a brand-new nine-story co-op rising where four neglected buildings once stood.

After decades of back-and-forth development and more plot twists than a telenovela, the project was taken over by Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), who actually finished it and kept it affordable. Bless them.

And unlike most Manhattan real estate headlines, this one doesn’t involve billionaires, offshore shell companies, or someone buying a penthouse just for their dog. No. This is for middle-income New Yorkers earning real New York incomes, not Monopoly money.

So Who Qualifies? The Income Bands Look Like This:

Single person: $103,820–$124,740
Two people: Up to $142,560
Three people: Up to $160,380
Four to five people: Up to $192,500

If your household lands anywhere in that range, this might be your shot. No games.

Now Let’s Talk About That Down Payment

Here’s where affordability meets reality:

You only need 3% down.

Yes three percent.
But that money must be sitting in your account for three full months before your eligibility interview.

Translation: This is not the moment to Venmo request your aunt or move money around like you’re laundering it on “Ozark.” The funds must be seasoned, stable, and chilling in your account like they live there.

So What Exactly Are You Getting?

A building with:

A shared terrace with views that say “Look Ma, I made it!”
A landscaped courtyard for quiet moments
On-site laundry (because lugging laundry through NYC builds character, but we’re tired)
A bike room
An elevator
Security cameras
Smoke-free environment
Energy-efficient appliances

It’s not “luxury,” but it’s smart, solid, and beautifully designed for actual people, not investors.

Available Condo/Coops & Requirements

How the Lottery & Approval Process Really Works

Before you start planning your housewarming playlist, here’s the real talk on how selection works for affordable homeownership co-ops:

1. You Apply on Housing Connect

Everyone who applies before the deadline is entered.

2. A Randomized Lottery Assigns a Log Number

Lower numbers get reviewed first, but there are no guarantees.

3. Eligibility Review

If your number advances, you’ll need to prove:

Your income fits the guidelines
Your assets fall within limits
Your household size matches the unit
Your 3% down payment has been seasoned in your account for 3 months

This is a full financial screening; basically a warmup for mortgage approval.

4. Mortgage Approval Required

Yes, you must qualify for a mortgage and show you can afford the mortgage plus the monthly maintenance fee.

Do You Need Co-op Board Approval? Yes, But Relax.

Traditional Manhattan co-ops are known for rejecting buyers based on personal preferences, vibes, horoscopes, or whatever else they feel like.

This is not that.

Affordable co-op boards under NYC’s ANCP program:

Cannot reject you for personal reasons
Cannot demand extra money or higher down payments
Cannot create additional financial barriers

They only confirm:

HPD approved you
Your paperwork is clean
Your mortgage is approved
You agree to the program rules

If HPD approves you, board approval is mostly a formality.
No interrogations. No judgment. No “we didn’t like your interview outfit.”

Real Talk:
If you qualify, you’re in. Period.

This Is the Part Where I Tell You to Apply

Because opportunities like this don’t come around often; and when they do, they disappear fast.

Deadline: January 28, 2026

Prefer a human to explain it? Two free info sessions are happening:

December 8 at 6 PM
January 12 at 6 PM

Registration links are on Housing Connect and in the listing. https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/

So… Think You Can’t Buy in Chelsea? Think Again.

What if this isn’t just another headline you scroll past?
What if this is the moment everyday New Yorkers finally get a shot at homeownership in one of Manhattan’s most iconic neighborhoods?

For once, the door’s not just cracked – it’s wide open.

Walk through it.

photo credit: Housing Connect NYC and Asian Americans for Equity

In Community News

CR-39: The New Traffic Pattern in Southampton

November 25, 2025 In Community News 5 Mins Read

A Ride Along to Understand the New CR-39 traffic pattern Southampton

If you live or work in Southampton, you do not need a traffic report to tell you what is happening on CR-39 traffic pattern Southampton. You already feel it in your soul. Nurses, landscapers, teachers, restaurant staff, business owners, shoppers on a bagel run, and weekend warriors heading to the beach — we are all in one giant rolling therapy session every morning and afternoon.

So when something changes on CR-39 Southampton, even slightly, people have feelings. Big feelings.

And as a very wise woman once said, “Slow down and live.”
It is advice that applies to the roads and honestly to life itself.

To help sort out what is happening with the CR-39 traffic pattern Southampton, I hopped in the car with Charlie McArdle, Superintendent of Highways for the Town of Southampton and Co-Chair of the Traffic Mitigation Committee. This is not a press conference. This is literally me holding a camera, stuck in traffic with everyone else, asking the questions you have been shouting at your windshield. Let’s ride.

What Changed?

Approaching Sandy Hollow Road, the most noticeable update is that CR-39 temporarily narrows to one lane westbound, before expanding again near McGee Street. If your first reaction is “Wait… didn’t we fight for TWO lanes?” welcome to the club.

Charlie explains it simply:

“We reduced two lanes down to one for a little over a half mile so the traffic exiting Sandy Hollow can keep moving. Before this change, both intersections worked against each other and the whole stretch crawled.”

Instead of two traffic lights competing for attention, they are finally cooperating. It is progress, even if it feels weird.

The Town has synchronized signals so the main flow clears multiple cycles at a time. Drivers going north and south still get their turn; just a slightly longer wait, so the highway keeps pushing forward.

The idea is to keep you on the highway instead of detouring through neighborhoods. Yes, Charlie called out the cemetery cut-through. Yes, he looked directly at me when he said it. I remain silent on legal advice.

So Why Now?

This is version 2.0 of a pilot program tested in the spring. That earlier version made the trip from CR-39 to the Lobster Inn just seven minutes. People loved the speed. The manpower demands, not so much.

This version is the same concept with less staffing and fewer blinking lights.

“If drivers merge early and stop being aggressive, this should be smooth,” Charlie says with confidence.

Key phrase: merge early.
Not merge at the cone like you’re auditioning for Fast & Furious: Hamptons Drift.

Safety Got an Upgrade

Before now, police had nowhere safe to pull anyone over. Speeders and “creative lane interpreters” had a field day. Enforcement created danger.

Now, officers have a shoulder — and that means safer accountability for everyone on the road.

Not glamorous. Definitely necessary.

Is Traffic Really Year-Round?

Charlie says yes. Strongly.

“There is no off-season anymore. The workforce keeps these roads full all year.”

Contractors, tradespeople, deliveries, house maintenance – The Trade Parade has become a permanent institution.

I agree with him partially. The Trade Parade has always been brutal. But summer absolutely adds its own special brand of chaos. We agreed to disagree respectfully, which is refreshing these days.

The Housing Conversation

I made the point that if workers could live closer to their jobs, we would see fewer vehicles clogging CR-39. That is just common sense.

Charlie countered that affordable housing lotteries sometimes bring new residents into town rather than supporting those who already live and work here.

I countered back with examples of recent Housing Authority lotteries where local residents did win. Housing is complex. But one thing remains true:

Traffic is a housing issue too.
Communities cannot function when the workforce is forced to commute long distances just to afford rent.

Is This Permanent?

Right now, this plan is a modified pilot:

• Monday through Friday
• Afternoon commute (approximately 3:30 pm to 7 pm)
• Being closely monitored
• Open to adjustments
• Feedback encouraged

Concerns can be submitted to the Traffic Mitigation Committee, which includes members of Town leadership, Suffolk County DOT, police, fire, and EMS officials.

email: Task Force: mailto: traffic@southamptontownny.gov

If something is not working for you, speak up. They are listening.

What Drivers Should Know

• Do not wait until the last ten feet to merge
• Do not block driveways or side-street exits
• Stay off the cemetery paths (you know who you are)
• Give yourself a little extra time while everyone learns the new flow

If you see a red light ahead but clear road in front of you, that is good. That means the synchronized system is doing its job.

Final Word

Road improvements do not happen by magic. Planning takes time. Adjustments take patience. Community input takes honesty. And sometimes, the solution feels uncomfortable before it feels better.

The traffic will never fully disappear. This is the Hamptons. But if these changes keep more cars on the highway, reduce dangerous merges, and ease pressure on our side streets, then we are moving in the right direction.

And once again, in the words of a wise woman:

Slow down and live.

Let’s all try that –on the road and off it.

Have you tried the new CR-39 pattern yet? Drop your thoughts on my social media . I will be sharing community feedback directly with Charlie and the Traffic Mitigation Committee.

Real Talk. Real Roads. Real People.
Only here on Hamptons Mouthpiece.