Meadow Lane in Southampton is home to multi-million dollar mansions overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and soon it will be home to the only town beach in the tony Town of Southampton.
The Town Council is expected to move forward with a plan to purchase an oceanfront home at 1950 Meadow Lane for $25.8 million dollars. The 11-bedroom mansion sits on the Atlantic Ocean and has views of the Shinnecock Bay.
But the town plans to demolish the house and preserve the property for public use, so people can enjoy the beautiful stretch of beach.
“If you can get an opportunity to acquire and preserve an oceanfront property,” said Southampton Town Attorney Jim Burke. “You really have to give it serious consideration.”
The money will come from the Community Preservation Fund, generated by a tax from real estate transfers and exists to preserve precious land on the east end. The town council closed the public hearing portion of this land purchase this week and is expected to vote on the proposal later this month.
“Now we will have a town beach in the village where all town residents will be able to go and enjoy,” said Councilmember Michael Iasilli.
There is another beach on this street, Cooper’s Beach, which is famous for its beauty and often makes the list of top beaches in the country, but it is also a Village of Southampton beach and parking is limited and requires a permit.
“If you don’t live in the village you have to buy a permit,” said Jackie Kleinman, who lives in Southampton but not the village proper. “Or you have to go late in the day so this is going to be spectacular.”
“It gives the people of Southampton more beach access which is a bone of contention for people who live out here,” said Thomas Smith, who works in Southampton. “That the ultra wealthy have the beaches and regular people can’t go, so it’s probably a good thing.”
The town attorney said they intend to raze the house down but preserve much of the natural dunes on the property and still construct a small parking lot.
The town council is expected to approve the proposal to purchase the property later in the month but could take months before plans to turn it into a public beach will be realized.
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