Hampton Bays eatery causing road woes

Dozens of residents attended the Southampton Town Board meeting Tuesday to speak either for or against a proposed law that would restrict parking on Canoe Place Road in Hampton Bays.

The board tabled the measure until the June 28 meeting.

The parking issue has arisen because of the success of a local restaurant, Rumba, at 43 Canoe Place Rd., and the lack of sufficient parking on the property.

Those in favor of the proposed restrictions said the situation has created an “unsafe condition” on a dark road. Parked cars line both sides of the road, they said, forcing traffic to cross the center line.

Opponents of the proposal, many of whom live or work on Canoe Place Road, say Rumba is a good neighbor and the restriction would affect their visitors or customers who park there.

The owner of Rumba, Dave Hersch, said he understands the traffic problem and has bought a bus to transport people from municipal parking to the restaurant. He asked the board for time to get the system in place.

Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst called the parking situation a “serious public safety issue” that needs to be decided quickly.