A Request at Ditch Plain

The East Hampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals, which recently turned down two applications to increase the size of oceanfront dwellings at the Montauk Shores Condominium at Ditch Plain, heard yet another application to replace one of the 27 oceanfront units there with a much larger one Tuesday night.

Mike Lucas, the applicant, wants to replace his small abode with one that is 769 square feet and to build 350 square feet of decking as well as a small shed. In addition to seeking a variance to increase the building’s size, he seeks a variance with regard to the setback from the crest of the bluff.

Britton Bistrian, representing the applicant, brought the board’s attention to what she sees as a discrepancy in the town code regarding the required setback from the bluffs. It appears, she said, that the code requires a 100-foot setback rather than 150 feet, which is the current standard of the town’s planning department. The matter was left open and Elizabeth Vail, a town attorney, will investigate the question.

Two of Mr. Lucas’s neighbors spoke. Richard Carvell, who lives across the narrow road behind the beachfront structures, told the board that allowing such expansions would create a fire hazard, as well as create the potential for additional debris in the event of a catastrophic storm.

He also criticized the seven-member board of managers of Montauk Shores, as did another neighbor, Richard Adler. Mr. Adler said the original prospectus for what was then a trailer park showed structures limited to 50-by-12 feet. It is obvious that has long since been ignored. “The process is flawed, and needs improvement,” Mr. Adler said. “There is no proof that a vote was taken.”

 However, John Whelan, the Z.B.A. chairman, wasn’t interested. “This board is not going to jump into your inner feud,” he said.

As with the previous applications, board members expressed concern about the condominium’s septic system. It apparently has been decades since its last upgrade.

In the end, the board agreed to keep the record open. The Z.B.A. wants documentation about the condition of the septic system from the condominium’s board and also wants documentation that the proposed structure is compliant with the Federal Emergency Management Act, among other issues.