Keeping Art in Studios
The East Hampton Town Board is considering plans to shift the review of artists’ studios to the town planning board and to make several changes to the zoning code in connection with what happens when a property with an artist’s studio is sold.
John Jilnicki, the senior assistant town attorney, presented the proposal to the town board at a work session on Tuesday. Specific regulations governing art studios would remain the same but the code would require those who sell or lease a property with such a studio to inform anyone entering into such a transaction that a restriction or covenant exists that limits the building’s use to an artist.
“We’re finding that studios get transferred to those who aren’t artists,” Mr. Jilnicki said. “That’s been problematic. We’re telling the new owner, ‘By the way, you have a structure on your property that can’t remain in its current state.’ Some buyers are not aware, and some sellers are not telling the buyers.”
Under the proposal, the size of artists’ studios remains the same. They cannot have more square footage than the ground floor of the main house, cannot take up more than 5 percent of the lot, and cannot exceed 2,500 square feet, whichever is less. Other accessory buildings are limited to 600 square feet. “If the property is not sold to an artist, it has to be removed or reduced in size. That’s the issue that’s arisen a few times for us,” Mr. Jilnicki said.
In addition, an artist wishing to expand an artist’s studio beyond these limits would have to apply for a variance from the town zoning board, as would someone who wanted to build a new one larger than the code allows. The request would have to provide “a clear and concise explanation as to the applicant’s need.”
The zoning code defines artists’ studios as buildings intended for “painting, drawing, sculpting, or other similar activities involving the crafting or manipulation of materials into objects of fine art by one or more members of the family of the owner or tenant of the residence located on the property.”
Other limits, such as a prohibition on sleeping quarters and on plumbing except for a sink, would not be changed, and the town would retain the ability to send in a building inspector. Penalties or violations would also remain as is.
The number of artists’ studios in the town was not available by press time yesterday.
After a brief discussion, during which town board members seemed amenable to the changes, Mr. Cantwell suggested scheduling a public hearing. The town will meet next for a work session on Tuesday at 10 a.m. and on Thursday for an open meeting at 6:30 p.m., both at Town Hall.