Presbyterian Church Plans More Parking Spaces
A historic property in a historic district was before the East Hampton Village Zoning Board of Appeals at its meeting Friday when it considered an application from the Presbyterian Church for variances to add 11 parking spaces and realign its driveway. The applicant also seeks permission for the continued existence of four air-conditioning units along the rear wall of the church.
Two of the additional parking spaces would be designated for the handicapped. They would be among seven diagonal spaces, while four others would be perpendicular to the rear of the church. The additional parking would for the most part be used only on Sunday mornings and during weddings or funerals, as church employees park at the rear of the property near the Session House.
Because the church is in a historic district, approval by the design review board will also be required. Frank Newbold, the Z.B.A. chairman, said the additional spaces would not adversely affect drainage. The potential removal of an evergreen tree 24 inches in diameter was also mentioned, and of concern to some board members. However, at the suggestion of Linda Riley, the village attorney, the board seemed amenable to granting permission for the 11 spaces and allowing the D.R.B. to consider their exact location. Mr. Newbold said the board was inclined to approve the application while allowing the D.R.B. flexibility if it sought to preserve existing landscaping. A decision is expected at the board’s next meeting, on Sept. 26.
The board also announced a number of other decisions. Shahab Karmely won approval to construct a tennis court on his property at 127 Main Street, which drew the ire of one neighbor and then another after its proposed location was moved. The board approved the first location, proposed at the western side of the property and the John M. Marshall Elementary School playing fields. It was conditioned on the plans submitted by the tennis court’s designer, Hamptons Tennis Company, being implemented.
Other approvals went to John Griffin of 20 Gracie Lane, who will be able to maintain sculptures within required setbacks as well as a pool house, hot tub, patio, stone walls, a concrete base for a generator switch, and a barbecue.
A freshwater wetlands permit was okayed at 40 La Forest Lane for Matthew Mallow. He plans to demolish a residence, swimming pool, driveway, and sanitary system, and construct a new residence, retaining wall, swimming pool, patio, equipment shed, driveway, and sanitary system.
Also granted were variances to permit the continued maintenance of a generator, slate pavers, and a trellis with a swing, all within setbacks, at 6 Lily Pond Lane, which is owned by the musician Jon Bongiovi of Bon Jovi fame. Variances to allow interior and exterior alterations to a pre-existing nonconforming pool house at 146 Newtown Lane went to Elizabeth Peabody, on the condition that no cooking or sleeping facilities will be added.
Lastly, Christopher and Sarah Minardi of 12 Conklin Terrace were granted a variance to permit an existing basement to be replaced and a new window well and exterior stairway added. The construction will increase the lot coverage from 2,104 to 2,194 square feet where the maximum is 1,741 square feet. Mr. Minardi, an alternate member of the board, had recused himself from the hearing.