News Summary
The Southold Town Planning Board has granted a six-month extension to The Enclaves hotel project amid community concerns over delays, stockpiled sand, and financing issues. Developers are facing challenges, including the withdrawal of a $25 million financing commitment and opposition from local residents regarding potential impacts on the neighborhood. The ambitious project includes a hotel, restaurants, and event spaces and is expected to resume construction soon, provided certain conditions are met.
Southold Town Planning Board Grants Six-Month Extension for The Enclaves Hotel Project
The Southold Town Planning Board has granted a six-month extension for The Enclaves hotel project at its meeting on July 14, 2025. This decision comes amid ongoing community concerns regarding construction inactivity and other related issues.
Complaints have mounted from residents living near the proposed Enclaves resort hotel, particularly about large piles of sand that have remained untouched for months. The project, situated on a 6.75-acre property on Main Road in Southold, aims to construct a 44-room hotel, four guest cottages, a renovated house for a 74-seat public restaurant, an additional restaurant for hotel guests, a spa, meeting rooms, lounges, and event space. The total footprint of these new buildings will span nearly 73,000 square feet.
The initial site plan approval for The Enclaves project, issued in June 2023, was originally set to expire on July 9, 2025. The developers faced a setback when an initial $25 million financing commitment from Dime Bank was withdrawn due to regulatory complications. In a letter dated June 12, the developers’ attorney indicated that new financing is expected to be secured within three to four months.
The total anticipated cost of the project is approximately $44 million, which has received tax abatements valued at $2.75 million from the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency in January 2024. However, the project has encountered significant opposition from the community, particularly regarding the public benefits it promises and its potential impact on local infrastructure and services.
Despite these challenges, developers have indicated a commitment to following through with the project. The Planning Board has received reassurance that over $3.9 million has already been invested. As construction delays continue, board members have requested explanations for the inactivity. They also seek a detailed timeline for when work will resume and how the outstanding tasks will be completed.
The extension approval comes with conditions that the developers must meet to ensure the project remains viable. These include submitting updated highway and health department approvals, stabilizing the currently exposed soil and sand piles, providing documentation of secured financing, and outlining the work to be completed by December 2025.
Local officials, including Planning Board Chairman James Rich and Supervisor Al Krupski, have articulated their concerns regarding the potential detrimental effects the Enclaves project could have on the surrounding community. There are ongoing worries regarding the sand and whether any material has been removed from the site, prompting the Planning Board staff to emphasize the necessity for compliance with updated permits.
Since construction has stalled, a security fence has been erected around the site to ensure the area remains safe. The total duration for completing the project is projected to take around 14 months once work resumes in September 2025.
The Planning Board’s unanimous decision to extend the project will allow time for the developers to finalize construction plans and address community concerns. The ongoing dialogue between the Planning Board, developers, and the Southold community underscores the tight balance that must be maintained between development and local sentiment.
As this situation develops, residents of Southold will continue to watch closely, hoping for movements that reflect the needs and concerns of their community while considering the future of the proposed Enclaves hotel.
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Additional Resources
- East End Beacon: Enclaves Hotel Extension
- Suffolk Times: Enclaves Hotel Tax Breaks
- Patch: Enclaves Hotel and Restaurant Vision
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hotel Development
- Google Search: Southold Hotel Project
