Hearing on Request to Rezone Historic Amagansett Property Divides Board

A public hearing will be held to consider a request to rezone a historic resident property in Amagansett, despite requests from neighbors not to.

The East Hampton Town Board voted 3 to 2 on Thursday night in favor of a hearing that would allow commercial usage of the Jeremiah Baker House at 274 Main Street to have commercial usage.

The new owner, Thomas Baker, wants to rezone the 25,228 square-foot property located on the southeasterly corner of Montauk Highway and Miankoma Lane, from a B-Residence to B-Residence/Limited Business Overlay.

The town board can decide whether or not the request should be considered.

Some Amagansett residents told the board they didn't want the process to go any further because they believe that rezoning the property would damage the beauty and character of Amagansett.

Sheila Hogan told the board the property is in the Amagansett Historic District and should be preserved. "It is on the national registry of historic buildings. The owners bought it three years ago and were fully aware of its zoning. Rezoning this house would be spot zoning," she said. "We in Amagansett feel strongly that the historic district should be preserved . . . The Amagansett business corridor should not expand.”

Paul Masi said the rezoning of this property would directly affect him because two months ago he bought the house behind the Baker house. He said that he and his family have worked hard to move into the hamlet. "This will affect the value of our house and the value of our life," he said. "I hope that you discourage the public hearing.”

Joan Tulp, who also lives in Amagansett, said, “Most importantly it will set a bad precedent. What’s the harm? There goes Amagansett Main Street.”

Deb Foster, a Springs resident and former town councilwoman and planning board member, spoke of the town's Comprehensive Plan, as did others. "It's direction from the beginning is that this is a rural resort community.”

Town Supervisor Bill Wilkinson said, to clarify the situation, “There is a proposal to rezone. We are considering a public hearing: the more public hearings the better because it is a great way for the public to weigh in."

Betty Mazur of Amagansett, who is also the vice president of the East Hampton Democratic Committee, countered: “It is good to have public hearings but the topic is not worth a public hearing.”

Another Amagansett resident Jeanne Frankl, who is the chair of the democratic committee, said asked: “Why should we be required to come and speak to oppose the desires of one individual?”

But, Councilwoman Theresa Quigley said she had a problem with the public not being heard on the issue.

Wilkinson said, “I’d love to hear from the people of Amagansett. If we made a decision based on nine people we would be blasted. I am simply favoring to hear as many voices as I can.”

Councilman Dominick Stanizone said, “Whether or not we go to public hearing, it is not an imprimatur of any kind.”

When it came time to vote on the resolution, the public hearing was scheduled by a a 3-2 vote. Wilkinson and Quigley voted for the public hearing.

Councilman Pete Hammerle voted against going to a public hearing on the matter  said he didn’t want to be viewed as someone who votes against hearing the voice of the public. However, “Sometimes with experience in knowing the town, you know when something is a plain bad idea and it doesn’t even need a public hearing.”

Councilwoman Julia Prince, who also voted against the public hearing, said, “It's not the that I don’t want to hear what the public has to say, but it just feels like a bad idea to rezone that property.”

While Stanzione voted in favor of the public hearing, he said, “They would have to work very hard to have me permit a change in the planning.”

The public hearing on the rezoning of the Baker Property is set for May 5 at 7:30 p.m.