Harbor Knoll B&B Under Fire At Public Hearing

What started out as a public hearing about Greenport Village’s proposed law to raise the number of rooms allowed in a bed and breakfast from three to five quickly turned into an attack on for alleged code violations at a village meeting Monday night.

Leueen and Gordon Miller have owned the Harbor Knoll property on Fourth Street in the village for 40 years and turned it into a bed and breakfast in 2001. Neighbors alleged at the meeting that Harbor Knoll has been advertising more than the allowed three rooms.

In a letter of support of the code change, Leueen Miller said changing the existing law to allow five rooms would help promote the Greenport commercial district and put village bed and breakfasts on a par with the rest of Southold Town and New York State.

“It makes no sense that the most tourist-oriented spot in town is the least supportive to bed and breakfast owners,” Miller wrote.

Although Greenport Mayor David Nyce cautioned audience members that comments needed to be restricted to the proposed ordinance, neighbors of Harbor Knoll went on the offensive.

Resident Michael Edelson referred to Harbor Knoll’s website, which up until recently advertised five rooms and a separate cottage, and cautioned the village not to reward businesses that had violated the code.

Walter Tilford said the current code is clear and allows a bed and breakfast to rent three rooms and serve breakfast. Tilford said Harbor Knoll holds other events, which have become a burden to neighbors.

“I can tell you as a neighbor, it has a very detrimental impact on the neighborhood,” Tilford said.

Attorney Gail Wickham represents the Millers and told the audience her clients support the new law because it is expensive to operate this type of business and properly maintain large properties with only three rooms. She reminded the board complaints against her client were an entirely separate issue.

Resident William Swiskey said other businesses close if they cannot afford to remain open and he said he was concerned with these types of businesses in populated areas.

“I don’t think a saloon belongs in a residential neighborhood,” Swiskey said.

Not all bed and breakfast owners were supportive of the ordinance. Clay Sauer of t said he was torn over the proposed law. Running a bed and breakfast needs to be done legally, he said, and all owners should follow the rules. He said he resented that his business was inspected two years ago and others were not. He also reminded the board that he has a liquor license, and that if you serve liquor to guests without one, it is a felony.

“There is no such thing as a free glass of wine,” Sauer said.

After the hearing, Wickham said her clients have never received violations, summonses, citations, or warnings from the village and they would work with the village on any compliance issues.

The board closed the hearing and agreed to review the law at the July work session.