Ronald Perelman To Lower Gate To 'The Creeks'

Billionaire Ronald Perelman has a new entrance to his sprawling East Hampton Village estate, but it was the newly installed gate that caught the attention of village officials.

Workers at the 57-acre estate, known as "The Creeks, installed the new black-top driveway, just off of Montauk Highway, across from the property, in recent weeks. It's just a few feet away from the original entrance, which has often had a line leading out of it onto the highway during major events, like a fundraiser for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney last month.

Village Code Enforcement Officer Thomas Lawrence said that the new gate turned out to be over the maximum permitted height allowed. "I know it exceeds the maximum of six feet," Lawrence said on Monday.

A Notice of Violation was sent and workers are in the process of making the gate compliant, Lawrence said.

He said the workers did have a required-permit from the New York State Department of Transportation, as the dirt shoulder the driveway begins on is owned by the state.

Perelman holds several highly publicized events at "The Creeks" each summer. On Saturday, the annual Apollo in the Hamptons benefit will be held there, featuring performances by Jennifer Hudson, Usher, and Jon Bon Jovi.

Last month, the fundraiser led to who were alleged to have crossed a police line in Georgica Pond.