New York's Pine Barrens plan tightens review of large Suffolk projects and governs credit use
Applications in the Central Pine Barrens filed since July 19, 2024 face amended standards, including a lower 200-unit threshold for regional review and stricter rules on redeeming development credits.
Under the Central Pine Barrens Comprehensive Land Use Plan (the "Plan"), as amended by the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission (the "Commission") on April 19, 2023, any application received on or after July 19, 2024 is reviewed under the amended Plan, a rule the Commission set on March 20, 2024 and confirmed by resolution on August 21, 2024. The amendments to Chapters 4, 5 and 6 of Volume 1 govern development in the Compatible Growth Area ("CGA") of the Towns of Brookhaven, Riverhead and Southampton and the use of Pine Barrens Credits. Because they apply by application date rather than by project, sites acquired or optioned on assumptions drawn from the prior Plan may now face different thresholds and conditions.
ECL §§ 57-0121(9), 57-0123; Central Pine Barrens Plan, Vol. 1, chs. 4–6 (2023)