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Southampton Town officials expect that outdoor dining will boost business in the town's hamlet centers, as in the village of Southampton. Photos by Christine Bellini and Kelly Carroll

Southampton - In an attempt to boost business within the township, the Southampton town board has voted to change its codes to allow for restaurants and eateries to host customers at sidewalk tables, legislation that is modeled after Southampton Village's codes.

"It's consistent with the resort nature of our town, the season and the difficult economy," asserted Southampton Town Councilwoman Nancy Graboski, an initiator of the legislation. "One of the goals of the 1999 Master Plan was to be sensitive to the viability of our hamlet centers."

Councilwoman Nancy Graboski asserted that the town's master plan calls for a focus on making the town's hamlet centers viable.

As laid out in the new law, only standard restaurants are to benefit from this change in code, not fast food or drive-thru establishments, taverns, bars or nightclubs. Under the code, an establishment must have at least 10 feet of sidewalk to set up their tables and chairs, leaving at least four feet for pedestrians to pass by. The total number of seats outside, plus the number of seats inside cannot exceed the amount of seating allowable by a restaurant's many permits and licenses, and this outdoor seating will be allowable for a period beginning May 1 and ending Nov. 1.

"This is a good business initiative," offered Town Councilman Christopher Nuzzi, a co-sponsor of the legislation along with Graboski. "We are expanding dining, and creating the opportunity for flourishing hamlet centers."

However, both Graboski and Nuzzi admitted that there are some issues with the code change, since a few of the main hamlet thoroughfares, as in Bridgehampton, are on state-owned roadways. While Deputy Town Attorney Kathleen Murray said that the State Department of Transportation (DOT) would like to see a licensing fee based on appraisal for this allowance, Councilman Nuzzi countered "hopefully the DOT will get beyond the dollar signs." Councilwoman Graboski added the town installs and maintains the sidewalks in the hamlet centers.

Graboski estimates that a similar initiative in the village of Southampton raised business 10 percent for the village. However, Hampton Bays resident Vicky Hillis questioned if the code change would benefit hamlets with small or narrow sidewalks, which might not meet the 10-foot requirement. To that, Graboski asserted that measurements have been taken throughout the hamlet centers, and while some establishments may not be able to benefit, many will.

"This is inviting," offered Ann LaWall of the Southampton Business Alliance. "It puts our hamlets on par with our villages."

Deputy Town Attorney Kathleen Murray outlined the parameters of the new sidewalk dining legislation for the Southampton Town Board on Tuesday, May 26.