Central Pine Barrens Overlay District

Central Pine Barrens TDR Program

The Central Pine Barrens Overlay District in the Town of Southampton was created by the passage of Article XXIV (330-215) on September 26, 1995. This defined pine barrens protection areas within the Town of Southampton, and delineated a Core Preservation Area and a Compatible Growth Area. The Plan sets forth land uses in these areas with the goal of managing development to preserve ecological and hydrological resources and provides consistency with the goals of the Central Pine Barrens Comprehensive Land Use Plan adopted by the Town Board on June 27, 1995, adopted by the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission on June 28, 1995, and signed by the Governor of New York State on June 28, 1995.

There are several uses available to owners of land in the core area. Allowable land uses include the use, maintenance, repair or improvement of any existing structure, additions to existing residences, agricultural uses that do not involve material alteration of native vegetation, certain recreational uses, and certain residential development approved before June 1, 1993. The plan also proposes the construction of one single family home on certain road front parcels in the core, if the surrounding area is already substantially developed, by recommending a legislative change to the act. In addition, under the extraordinary hardship provisions of the act, landowners may apply to develop their land. Alternatively, landowners are free to sell their property, either to another private party or to a government agency. Both New York State and Suffolk County have land acquisition programs, and private developers have shown interest in purchasing core area property in order to utilize the transferable development rights associated with these lands.

Transfers of Pine Barrens Credits are not administered by the Town of Southampton, but by the Pine Barrens Credit TDR Bank. For more information on Pine Barrens Credits or an application to redeem PBCs, visit the website or call 631-224-2604.

This is stated verbatim in 244-1, Transfer of Development Rights Procedures: Purpose and Intent.