M.H.T. Plans Hit A Snag

Plans to build a new parish hall for the Most Holy Trinity Catholic congregation got stuck last week in what East Hampton Village officials now are calling a mere "misunderstanding."

Representatives of Most Holy Trinity had brought a site-plan application for a 7,200-square-foot multipurpose building near the church's school building to the Village Design Review Board on March 5. But village planners, sensitive to the fact that the eight-acre property is in a residential neighborhood between Buell Lane and Meadow Way, expressed concern about the building's "size and mass."

The stand-off which followed brought a Most Holy Trinity priest, the Rev. Donald Desmond, to Village Hall on Tuesday to determine "just what power" the board had. Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. reported afterward that they had had a productive talk.

"Isn't the village always impressed with imposing edifices?" Father Desmond asked in an interview. "Or do they want shacks?"

Have Reservations

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre has approved the site plan for the construction but Design Review Board members have specific reservations. So do some of the church's neighbors.

The Review Board had asked the church to rethink the siting of the hall on the property, as well as its proposed parking layout, which members said meant increased traffic and parking on Meadow Way.

Frank Hollenbeck, the church's architect, responded this week by letter.

"The parking will be examined and possibly revised . . . to meet concerns of public safety," he wrote. Neighbors already have complained about the use of Most Holy Trinity School's playing fields and about tailgate parties after Little and Lassie League games, among other issues.

No Conflict Seen

Among those on the Design Review Board who are studying the application are Ina Garten, the board's newest member, who lives on Buell Lane, and Carolyn Preische, the board's chairwoman, of Meadow Way.

Asked if the two might have a conflict of interest in considering the project, Mayor Rickenbach said Monday that self-concern was something the board members could "rise above."

Mrs. Garten, who owns the Barefoot Contessa food shop on Newtown Lane, reported that she had, in fact, inquired about a potential conflict, but was assured by board members that "we're all in the village, and it behooves us to hold the same standards everywhere in the village."

Mrs. Preische, on holiday in Holland, could not be reached for comment.

An alternative plan suggested at a recent D.R.B. meeting would move the location of the new buildingdirectly behind the 100-year-old church, rather than next to the school. It also calls for "phasing in" parking for between 96 and 127 cars on the site of the existing playing fields.

Building the parish hall behind the church would "minimize the impact of the building," said Robert Hefner, the village's historic preservation consultant. It also could be screened better with landscaping.

"There are no easy answers to this," Mr. Hefner said, adding that better "communications are called for." He noted that the Village Code "encourages" applicants to consult with the board, as well as the fire and building inspectors, before filing applications. "M.H.T.," he said, "did not do that."

Firm Stand

The church, built of wood with a shingled roof in 1894 as St. Philomena's, is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The school is not covered by a historic designation.

Church officials, including Father Desmond, want the parish hall built "in conjunction with the school with a safe courtyard in between for the children." Roughly the size of the Revco drugstore on Gay Lane, it is similar in design to the 12,000-square-foot brick school building.

Mrs. Garten said it was unfortunate that "they're fashioning the building after the school, not the church." She said "the whole property relates to the church."

Pointing out that land surrounding the church was in a historic district, Mr. Hollenbeck said the new building would not be built within it since "it may be subject to additional restrictions. . . . We will not put the hall in close proximity to the church. . . . We will not destroy the play fields. . . . We will not destroy the shrine area east of the church, as proposed by the Design Review Board."

Echoing the sentiments of village officials and planners, Mrs. Garten said that, while the D.R.B. has the responsibility of "making sure new construction fits within the village's guidelines, there is a solution that satisfies everybody."

Talks To Come

According to the code, the church will have to obtain "conceptual," or preliminary, approval from the Design Review Board for its site plan before requesting a special permit from the Village Zoning Board of Appeals to build the hall in a residential district. If it obtains Z.B.A. approval, the church will have to return to the Review Board for final approval.

"Sitting down and talking," said Mrs. Garten, "will solve the problem."

More talks, such as occurred between the Mayor and the priest this week, could occur on Wednesday at 7 p.m., when the Design Review Board meets again at Village Hall.