SoulCycle Hopes to Spin Into Montauk

The Montauk Movie, where rainy days could be spent catching the latest flick, will be reincarnated in the coming months as SoulCycle, where folks will be able to spin their days away instead, if a site plan now before the East Hampton Town Planning Board is approved. Although no structural changes to the building are planned, the change of use triggers the review.

SoulCycle, a coast-to-coast chain, has rented the theater, at 15 South Edgemere Street in downtown Montauk, from John Rutkowski, who owns the building. It had closed as a movie house last year. The building will be filled with stationary bikes rather than theater seats, and, according to Drew Bennett, an engineer representing the applicant, any sweat worked up inside will have to be washed off elsewhere.

“Ride from the soul and find the happiest, fittest, most confident you in every aspect of your life! Find your edge and find yourself,” promises one of SoulCycle’s New York instructors on the company’s website. “I aspire to inspire every soul riding in my class. We ride, we struggle, we change, we grow, we conquer and we celebrate,” promises another instructor.

Mr. Bennett told the board on Jan. 7 that the flow into the building’s septic system would be reduced under SoulCycle’s use. This is significant, he said, because the flow  would exceed the current level if showering took place. That, in turn, would require review by the Suffolk County Health Department.

Job Potter, a board member, suggested that a covenant be added to the expected site plan approval expressly prohibiting showers. Mr. Bennett, however, expressed concern that such a covenant would delay the preparation of the space for the summer season because the applicant is a renter not the owner of the building.

SoulCycle has also proposed eight parking spaces on the property, although there are none now. Eric Schantz, a senior planner with  the town’s Planning Department, pointed out the movie house had obtained a variance to allow operation without on-site parking because of ample parking nearby. It appeared unlikely that parking would become a condition of approval.

Nancy Keeshan, a member of the board whose office in downtown Montauk is nearby, asked the applicant to submit plans for landscaping. And Mr. Bennett asked the board to expedite the process to allow the business to open for the season. The board seemed amenable, with a decision likely to be announced at an upcoming meeting.