Seek To Develop Moorland Parcel

The owner of a parcel of oceanfront Montauk moorlands and its in-contract buyer have applied to state and East Hampton Town authorities for permission to build there.

Those who live in the neighborhood include Paul Simon, Richard Avedon, and Peter Beard, though Mr. Avedon's house and the Stone House next door have been advertised as being for sale. The 3.92-acre property is off Old Montauk Highway east of the hamlet's center.

William H. Callahan, who owns the parcel under the name Ultimate Acquisitions Ltd., has asked the State Department of Environmental Conservation for the wetlands permit for a house, driveway, pool, well, and sanitary system. The D.E.C. is accepting written comments on the proposal, which requires a freshwater wetlands permit, until Oct. 9.

Ratner In Contract

Meanwhile, the developer Bruce Ratner, who is in contract to buy the parcel, has applied to the East Hampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals for a natural resources permit and several wetland setback variances, and is scheduled to have a hearing on Oct. 13 in Town Hall.

His application indicates that he hopes to build a 3,868-square-foot house with 1,330 square feet of porches, to put in a pool and hot tub with decks, and to change a grass driveway to one of gravel, sand, and crushed stone. Four culverts in the driveway would also be replaced.

The entire property is classic moorland habitat, according to the Town Planning Department's environmental assessment form, and Montauk is the only location in the state with moorlands.

Diverse Ecosystem

Shad, highbush, blueberry, southern arrowwood, bayberry, chokeberry, and maleberry grow there, the spotted turtle has been observed, and it is likely that blue spotted salamanders live there, too, the form states. It described the wetlands as a "large, highly diverse herbaceous marsh interconnected with streams . . . pools of surface water and fringed with wetland shrubs and trees."

The property is not listed among those recommended for acquisition in the town's most recent open space wish list.

The D.E.C.'s notice states that the majority of the parcel will remain in a natural, undisturbed state but that the improved driveway will be within one foot of wetlands. Comments can be sent to Mark Carrara, at the Department of Environmental Conservation, State University at Stony Brook, Building 40, Stony Brook 11790-2356.

M.N.