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Is It Art, or Is It a Sign?

Jen Stark painted the sides of the Surf Lodge in Montauk as part of her installation for Eric Firestone before Memorial Day weekend. The Surf Lodge was accused of violating the East Hampton Town code.
Jen Stark painted the sides of the Surf Lodge in Montauk as part of her installation for Eric Firestone before Memorial Day weekend. The Surf Lodge was accused of violating the East Hampton Town code.
Jennifer Landes
Surf Lodge in Montauk is charged with one count of violating the town code
By
T.E. McMorrow

On one side of the question is the now well-established and very popular resort-night club Surf Lodge, on Edgemere Street in Montauk; on the other, East Hampton Town’s Architectural Review Board.

“I didn’t know that A.R.B. stood for Art Review Board,” said Thomas W. Horn, the club’s lawyer, after his client was arraigned Tuesday afternoon in East Hampton Town Justice Court. Surf Lodge is charged with one count of violating the town code, which requires approval from the Architectural Review Board for signage and exterior changes to a building.

The summons was issued on May 22. According to Mr. Horn, Jen Stark’s wall mural, whose cascading colors wrap around a corner of the building, angered a neighbor enough to bring about a complaint to code enforcement. Mr. Horn asserted that when agents showed up they weren’t even sure what the violation was, but after a phone call, the ticket was written.

Julien Bizalion, Surf Lodge’s director of operations, appeared in court on behalf of the club. “It’s a signed art piece, and it’s temporary,” Mr. Horn argued before Justice Steven Tekulsky.

Michael Sendlenski, attorney for the town, was unmoved, and indicated the town’s willingness to go to trial, which could result in a $1,000 fine. June 26 is the next court date.

“I think it is a little silly,” Mr. Bizalion said outside the courthouse.

 

 

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