Preservation plan would save Huntington's Stanhope Stables from development
A plan for a zoning change to the Stanhope Stables property in West Hills to allow for housing was halted last year after an outcry from residents and the equestrian community. Credit: Rick Kopstein
Stanhope Stables owner Nancy Henderson said her dream that the West Hills property continue as a horse stable even as most of the other equestrian facilities in the area have closed, could soon be realized.
After a plan to change the zoning on the 13.72-acre plot to make way for housing was stopped last year after an outcry from residents and the equestrian community, Suffolk County and the Town of Huntington are now poised to purchase the land's farmland development rights together.
According to town of Huntington documents the farmland development rights were valued at $2,954,500 in an appraisal funded by Suffolk County.
The deal would have the county paying for two-thirds of the appraised purchase price of the land’s development rights with the town kicking in the remaining third which is about $981,833 according to town documents.
“Everybody wins in this situation,” Henderson said. “Preserving it has always been my intention, it’s a legacy for me.”
The equestrian facility, at 5 Downs Rd., offers boarding, horseback riding lessons and training. Henderson said she has owned the stables for 26 years.
The town plans to hold a public hearing Sept. 10 to consider the terms of a dual purchase with the county.
Town Supervisor Ed Smyth said the plan accomplishes two things: it preserves open space and allows the stables “to continue operating as a stable and keep accessibility to equestrian heritage in West Hills.”
By purchasing the development rights of the property, Henderson will be able to continue the Stanhope Stables operation and receive money that would have been received for selling the property. But the land will be stripped of the possibility of development preserving it into perpetuity.
Stanhope Stables is in Suffolk County Legis. Rebecca Sanin’s district. She said the purchase with the town makes an excellent partnership because it combines resources and preserves the bucolic nature of the area.
“It is vitally important to preserve land on the west end of Suffolk County where there are fewer and fewer opportunities to do so,” she said.
Sanin said closing on the deal is expected within nine months. The county will use money from the capital budget earmarked for farmland preservation.
Smyth said the town would pay for its portion using Open Space Land and Park Improvements Reserve Fund money.
Kat Hankinson lives across from Stanhope in the adjacent Whitman Historic District. She organized a petition in opposition to the zoning change which would have allowed a housing development. She said losing Stanhope would have significantly changed the landscape of the area, sometimes called Huntington’s “horse country,” and is among the last remaining horse facilities in the area.
And with the area being the birthplace of Walt Whitman, preserving the stables and its natural beauty, reflects a bygone era and offers a peek at the mode of transportation of years gone by, while also honoring his legacy and historical significance, Hankinson said.
“It’s really great, the county, the community and now the town are all making an effort to preserve Stanhope,” Hankinson said. “The more we can preserve the character of this area the more we’re honoring Whitman's legacy.”
The public hearing will be at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 100 Main St. The town has 90 days from a public hearing to vote on a resolution.
Stanhope Stables owner Nancy Henderson said her dream that the West Hills property continue as a horse stable even as most of the other equestrian facilities in the area have closed, could soon be realized.
After a plan to change the zoning on the 13.72-acre plot to make way for housing was stopped last year after an outcry from residents and the equestrian community, Suffolk County and the Town of Huntington are now poised to purchase the land's farmland development rights together.
According to town of Huntington documents the farmland development rights were valued at $2,954,500 in an appraisal funded by Suffolk County.
The deal would have the county paying for two-thirds of the appraised purchase price of the land’s development rights with the town kicking in the remaining third which is about $981,833 according to town documents.
“Everybody wins in this situation,” Henderson said. “Preserving it has always been my intention, it’s a legacy for me.”
The equestrian facility, at 5 Downs Rd., offers boarding, horseback riding lessons and training. Henderson said she has owned the stables for 26 years.
The town plans to hold a public hearing Sept. 10 to consider the terms of a dual purchase with the county.
Town Supervisor Ed Smyth said the plan accomplishes two things: it preserves open space and allows the stables “to continue operating as a stable and keep accessibility to equestrian heritage in West Hills.”
By purchasing the development rights of the property, Henderson will be able to continue the Stanhope Stables operation and receive money that would have been received for selling the property. But the land will be stripped of the possibility of development preserving it into perpetuity.
Stanhope Stables is in Suffolk County Legis. Rebecca Sanin’s district. She said the purchase with the town makes an excellent partnership because it combines resources and preserves the bucolic nature of the area.
“It is vitally important to preserve land on the west end of Suffolk County where there are fewer and fewer opportunities to do so,” she said.
Sanin said closing on the deal is expected within nine months. The county will use money from the capital budget earmarked for farmland preservation.
Smyth said the town would pay for its portion using Open Space Land and Park Improvements Reserve Fund money.
Kat Hankinson lives across from Stanhope in the adjacent Whitman Historic District. She organized a petition in opposition to the zoning change which would have allowed a housing development. She said losing Stanhope would have significantly changed the landscape of the area, sometimes called Huntington’s “horse country,” and is among the last remaining horse facilities in the area.
And with the area being the birthplace of Walt Whitman, preserving the stables and its natural beauty, reflects a bygone era and offers a peek at the mode of transportation of years gone by, while also honoring his legacy and historical significance, Hankinson said.
“It’s really great, the county, the community and now the town are all making an effort to preserve Stanhope,” Hankinson said. “The more we can preserve the character of this area the more we’re honoring Whitman's legacy.”
The public hearing will be at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 100 Main St. The town has 90 days from a public hearing to vote on a resolution.
The Town of Huntington will consider terms of an agreement with Suffolk County to purchase the farmland development rights of Stanhope Stables in West Hills. The purchase would bar development on the site in perpetuity.
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