Community Support

We know there have been questions and concerns in the community, so we’d like to share the facts directly: 

Myth: The building is too tall. 
Fact: The house will be two stories and fully within zoning code. FEMA now requires first floors to be substantially more elevated for flood safety than in the past, which can make the houses themselves appear taller. Several properties in the Pines have already been raised to these new FEMA standards, and many include roof decks, which ours does not. Our design is below the maximum allowable height, and 10 homes within a 500-foot radius are already taller than what we are proposing.  

Myth: The building is too large for the lot. 
Fact: Overall lot coverage is slightly decreasing. The difference is that we are adding a second story, not expanding the footprint.  The proposed structures are under the allowable 35% lot coverage. 

Myth: The new building will cram in more people than before. 
Fact: The opposite is true. Rooms are being expanded from 80 square feet to 120 square feet so staff can live with dignity, and bathrooms will serve no more than 2 people instead of 4 or more. The design reduces overcrowding and improves quality of life. 

Myth: There will be a rooftop deck for gatherings. 
Fact: There is no rooftop deck. The roof is only for air-conditioning equipment, which will be disguised behind railings, as is common throughout the island. Most other homes in the area have rooftop decks. 

Myth: The building will be used as a hotel. 
Fact: This house is for staff housing only. We have applied for a special permit that legally restricts it to staff use. The building has operated as staff housing since at least 1979; the only change now is that it will finally be permitted properly with new sprinklers installed for fire safety.  

Myth: Staff can continue living in the old house as is. 
Fact: The old house was overcrowded, forcing two or more staff into 80-square-foot rooms with mold, inadequate bathrooms, and poor living conditions. The new design, inspired by traditional Fire Island architecture, will provide private bedrooms, no more than 2 occupants per bathroom, modern bathrooms, reliable Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and indoor gathering areas: safe and dignified housing for staff. 

Myth: Staff can just rent houses in the Pines or be shuttled in by ferry. 
Fact: Daily ferrying is not realistic, and the Pines has never had enough local talent to meet business demands that run early mornings, late nights, and at times around the clock. Seasonal rentals are scarce, unaffordable, and unsustainable. Without dedicated, legally zoned staff housing, operating costs would skyrocket, and The Waterfront could not function. 

Myth: You’re asking for permission to add more density. 
Fact: We have requested only two variances: (1) a special permit to continue the use of the house as staff housing, and (2) to allow a deer fence, which many houses on Fire Island have.