All Posts Tagged With: "Long Island"

An interesting battle is brewing on Long Island over the place of modern green architecture on Main Street. Over 500 people have signed a petition to protest what would be an extremely modern, green, and LEED-certified office building in East Hampton. The two-story, rectangular structure would include office space for its co-developers- architect Paul Masi and his firm, Bates Masi Architects, and attorney Jonathan Tarbet. The front of the 4673-square-foot building- designed by Mr. Masi- features large glass windows with the rest of the façade on the sides clad with cedar shingles.

The Southampton Town Board heard proposals earlier this week to amend a new law that will require all new pool heaters to be solar-powered. The law is facing opposition from the Northeastern Pool & Spa Association and the Long Island Pool & Spa Association (”LIPSA”), industry groups that represent pool equipment manufacturers and dealers. Although it would be the first such law on Long Island, a handful of municipalities nationwide have already adopted similar laws. John Tortorella, one of the largest swimming pool contractors in Southampton, praised the concept as “a good idea,” but also cautioned that “all hell will break loose” if the law is enacted as currently drafted, requiring customers to incur thousands of dollars in additional plumbing and infrastructure costs. LIPSA argued before the Board that solar-powered pool heaters require more room to install than electric or gas heaters, and could require some pool owners to remove decks and trees in order to comply with the legislation.

Hamptons Cottages & Garden magazine is sponsoring the 2008 Idea House in Sagaponack on Long Island. The house is actually a Victorian farmhouse that was formerly owned by novelist James Jones. Sag Harbor developer Peter Sabbeth and his ModernGreenHome company have put a two-story, modern green addition on the back of the house and placed the property on the market for $12.9 million, without any furniture. The antique furniture you’ll find inside the house right now (it’s $30 to enter and open Thursday through Sunday until August 24) was chosen by local designers selected by the magazine. Other items have been created from recycled materials; architect Campion Platt, who fitted out the family sitting room, formed three rugs from discarded cowhide scraps.

Earlier this evening, Huntington, Long Island’s town board approved legislation that offers local developers incentives for pursuing a LEED rating. The program requires developers to provide $1.00 per square foot to the town of Huntington itself. If developers build to any level of formal LEED certification, they get to keep 80 cents on each dollar upon final completion and award of a LEED rating. If the project does not receive LEED certification, all of the funds are forfeited to the town. Monies raised will finance the program itself, as well as assist Huntington in educating local officials about green building issues.

This past weekend’s New York Times Real Estate column “Living In” featured a glimpse of suburban Huntington Village on Long Island. While the storybook downtown and long commute to Penn Station aren’t totally surprising, Huntington’s progressive green initiatives are. Last year, the town became the first in New York State to offer incentives to residents who own hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicles. Parking on the street and in the town’s four commuter railroad station parking lots is free for residents with a “Keep Huntington Green” car decal, and they also receive free beach passes.

It appears that Nassau County on Long Island is about to mandate LEED for public projects greater than 5,000 square feet or budgeted at $1 million or more. County Executive Thomas Suozzi announced at a press conference on Monday in Mineola that his proposal (also sponsored by legislators from Merrick and Oceanside) was approved by [...]