Cynthia Rowley Wants to Demolish Montauk House

Cynthia Rowley, a trendsetter who designs everything from handbags to lifestyles and has a number of Montauk properties, including a shop downtown, owns a small lot consisting mostly of wetlands at 69 Seaside Avenue, which is at the western tip of Ditch Plain. Her plan to demolish and replace the house there, which was in foreclosure when she bought the property in 2011, was scrutinized on Tuesday by the East Hampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals.

The parcel, at the northeast corner of Seaside and Miller Avenues, is under a half acre. She bought it for about $820,000, according to reports. Last summer, she also bought a house on a nearly one-acre lot across the street, at 78 Seaside Avenue, for $3 million. That purchase may prove pivotal in the Zoning Board’s decision about her plan to replace the existing small house with a larger, two-story one.

The entire property contains large pockets of wetlands, as the variances requested for new construction show. For example, under the town code, decking and a house are supposed to be 100 feet from wetlands. Ms. Rowley’s structure would be between 5 and 10 feet away. Similarly, sanitary systems are supposed to be 150 feet from wetlands; the new system would be only 6 feet away.

Nevertheless, the East Hampton Town Planning Department, represented by Brian Frank, the chief environmentalist, had guarded optimism about the project, expressing concern  about how the work could be done without damaging the wetlands and about whether construction vehicles would clog Seaside Avenue, which is narrow.

Joel Halsey, one of Ms. Rowley’s rep- presentatives, addressed the latter concern, telling the board that the long driveway at 78 Seaside Avenue could be used for construction vehicles. Michael Smith, a neighbor, spoke Tuesday, saying he did not oppose Ms. Rowley’s plans but wanted to make sure Seaside Avenue would remain accessible for emergency vehicles during the work.

With regard to the sanitary system, Mr. Frank pointed out that the soil was composed of silt and clay, rather than the sand normally associated with Montauk properties, and that a new system would be beneficial. He also said that while the total floor area would increase to 1,375 square feet, ground coverage would be reduced since the new structure is to be on two floors.

The demolition of the small structure on the property was not a department concern. “A six-pack of beer and three of my friends” could bring the house down rapidly, Richard A. Hammer, another representative of Ms. Rowley’s, said, before adding that the entire process would follow town code to the letter. The board agreed to extend the public hearing to May 16, to allow the Planning Department and Ms. Rowley’s representatives to work out the protocol for the demolition, as it pertains to the wetlands, as well as vehicular access for construction, and other issues.