What's Happening?
A proposal to develop 79 affordable workforce condominiums in East Hampton, New York, has been withdrawn following significant community opposition. Developer Kirby Marcantonio presented the plan to the East Hampton Town
Board on December 2, 2025, aiming to rezone two parcels of land into an Affordable Housing Overlay District. The proposal intended to address a local housing crisis by providing accommodations for workers who currently commute long distances. However, the plan faced immediate backlash from residents, who quickly organized a petition that garnered nearly 3,000 signatures. Critics argued that the proposed business model, which involved selling the condos to employers rather than directly to residents, was not a genuine solution to the area's affordable housing needs. The uproar led to the withdrawal of the development contract and the project's termination.
Why It's Important?
The collapse of the condo proposal highlights the ongoing tension between development and community interests in affluent areas like East Hampton. The incident underscores the challenges of addressing housing shortages in regions where property values are high, and local residents are protective of their community's character. The proposal's failure reflects broader issues in urban planning and affordable housing policy, where solutions must balance economic feasibility with community acceptance. The outcome also signals to developers the importance of engaging with local communities and considering their concerns in planning processes. For East Hampton, the incident leaves unresolved the critical issue of providing affordable housing for essential workers, which remains a pressing need.
What's Next?
Following the project's collapse, developer Kirby Marcantonio and his partners have withdrawn their contract to purchase the land. The East Hampton Town Board has also expressed its opposition to the proposal, citing that it does not align with the community's definition of affordable housing. Despite this setback, Marcantonio continues to pursue a separate affordable housing project at Pantigo Road, which is already zoned for such development and does not require rezoning. This alternative project aims to provide 45 townhouses for essential workers and is currently moving through the planning stages. The community and developers will likely continue to explore other potential sites and models for affordable housing in the area.
