Open up the Colony Club of Southampton Shores Beach Parking Lot now!

We petition the President of the Colony Club of Southampton Shores to immediately revert the Southampton Shores Parking Lot access hours to those stated in the by-laws. We ask that he reverse his prior unilateral decision to (without a vote) change the by-law protected beach parking lot hours.

The parking lot, like all other beach parking lots in Southampton, is not a business in which goods or services or money exchange is taking place and, like all other parking lots throughout Southampton, people can easily follow social distancing guidelines in this outdoor parking lot. All other Southampton beach parking lots are and have been open. Importantly, reverting to by-law hours for the Southampton Shores parking lot will reduce the number of people parking throughout the Shores community and walking in front of other people's houses; therefore, reverting the parking lot hours to those in the by-laws would actually make it easier for those most at risk to simply avoid the parking lot and beach-goers when they go for their solitary walks. Additionally, I have offered to put up the same social distancing signs as they have at all the Southampton beaches as a reminder of social distancing guidelines.

Background: The Shores President informed me that he [without warning or a vote] changed the parking lot access for everyone in the community because "one evening certain individuals" were violating social distancing nearby the parking lot, under the outside pavilion. That was back in March and I think it's possible that back then those individuals maybe just didn't know much about the guidelines (there was no sign posted at the pavilion and it was two months ago).

We suggest, in the best interest of everyone in the community, to return the parking lot to by-law hours and remind those alleged individuals who violated the social distancing one night a couple months back (and/or remind everyone in the community) of the 6-ft social distancing guidelines. This would be in line with the Town (as other Southampton beach parking lots are open) and in line with our community by-laws.

Our Shores President actually set a precedent last year when he emailed the community about bonfires. He left the parking lot open and in a community-wide email, reminded people of a fine possible for setting bonfires without permits.**
Therefore, for this "one evening certain individuals" social distance violation "issue", I have suggested the following options which are in line with the by-laws and also in line with our board president's own precedent:

OPTION 1: Do not revoke our parking lot privileges without a vote. Return the parking lot immediately to by-law hours and then email the community about the issue/offense he witnessed; perhaps something like the following:

"On one evening in March, I saw certain individuals gathering or not following social distancing guidelines in the pavilion. According to the NY governor, everyone is required to maintain a six-foot distance from others in public and the maximum potential fine for not social distancing is $1,000."

OPTION 2: Do not revoke our parking lot privileges without a vote. Return the parking lot immediately to by-law hours and hang social distance signs (reminders) just like they have at the Southampton Town and Village beaches, which all have open parking lots. [This petitioner has offered to do this at her own expense; no cost to the community.]

Option 3. Do not revoke our parking lot privileges without a vote. Return the parking lot immediately to by-law hours and then send a communication about a possible plan to vote on closing the parking lot.

Options 1, 2, and 3 (and any combination thereof) would be in line with the by-laws and in line with social distancing guidelines.

Please revert the parking lot to the by-law hours.

*"Use hours from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m." - By-laws posted on Shores website.
** From John McDonough's "President's Letter 2020.docx": "Again in 2019, large fires were lit on our beach very close to the pavilion and left to burn overnight and kindle the next day. Broken glass bottles were left in the sand around the perimeter of the fires. The board had to cordon off this area of the beach until volunteer members could clean up the charred wood and glass. The town code states that before building a fire, a permit must be obtained from the town Fire Marshall. Failure to comply is punishable by a fine of up to $250.00 for the first offense."