Vacca said that PS 175, the island s only school, operates well above its original capacity. Islanders also complain about electricity brownouts, low water pressure, scarce parking and an overworked sewer system. They say they would like to see zoning and tax policy changed to limit new construction and force new buildings to conform to the character of the community. Community leaders say current tax policies force marina owners to pay the same high tax rate for their property as for houses. Many boatyards sell the land, Smith said, to developers who build row houses and condominiums to cash in on high demand in a village with low crime and friendly neighbors.
Some residents see new housing as the least of many possible evils, including manufacturing.
I would rather see houses than factories, said Bob Carmody, a local real estate agent. But Carmody said residents want to keep semi-attached houses and large condominium developments out. Carmody said that he would prefer to see a health club, senior citizen care center, hotel or little league ballpark built instead of more homes but considers himself a realist. People retire on these old boat yards, he said of landowners who sell their property to developers. They work all their lives and want to do something with it.