More Digs Planned
The fact that Paul and Mildred Bianco's property on Three Mile Harbor is ripe with Native American artifacts may not rule out building two houses there, but it isn't going to be easy.
The East Hampton Town Planning Board last week said more archeological work needed to be done on the property before it could approve "work envelopes" for the new houses.
Extensive archeological work has already been done on the property, which lies off Springwood Way on the west side of the harbor. Surveys by two different archeologists found evidence that Native Americans had occupied the site as far back as 8,000 B.C. and found what looked to be the foundation of a colonial-era house.
How To Find Artifacts?
The problem now for the Planning Board is deciding whether the Biancos can proceed with their application for a lot-line shift to allow two new houses on the site. Because of the sensitivity of the site, a "stage three" dig would likely have to occur before any construction began.
A stage three, or "data recovery" project makes sure any important archeological resources are recovered and studied before the property is developed.
Although two different archeologists have recommended a stage three dig, the Town Planning Department advised the Planning Board last week that their studies were conflicting as to the exact locations of artifacts. Nor did the studies offer a strategy for recovering them.
On Cranberry Hole
The Planning Board agreed at its meeting Jan. 7 that such information was needed before it could proceed with the application.
The board has asked for a number of archeological studies in recent months, covering projects in Montauk and Amagansett. At last week's meeting, members agreed a preliminary study should be done on the Norman Edwards subdivision on Cranberry Hole Road. The family of the late Mr. Edwards is continuing his plan to create two new house lots next to the Multi-Aquaculture fish farm.
Though the application has been in existence for roughly six years, the Planning Board last week ruled that the waterfront location deserved at least a "stage one" survey to determine the likelihood of archeological resources.
A Likely Candidate
The board also brought itself up to date on the archeological report requested for the Tuthill Pond Estates subdivision proposed on the high ground overlooking Tuthill Pond in Montauk.
Though the site has been disturbed over the years, planners ruled its topography and proximity to known archeological sites made it a candidate for possible significance.
The board recently ordered another study on Russell Drumm's property on Greenwich Street in Montauk. Mr. Drumm, a senior writer for The Star, is seeking a lot-line modification to create a new lot. The board ruled the property was close enough to other archeological sites to warrant a study.