East Deck Owners May Sell to Town

The owners of the former East Deck Motel in Montauk, who have proposed a private club there, asked on Friday to postpone a scheduled appearance before the East Hampton Town Planning Board on Wednesday to give the town the chance to negotiate a possible purchase of the property, according to a press release from the corporation’s public relations firm.

“We agree Ditch Plains is a special place and have requested an adjournment, . . .” Lars Svanberg and Scott Bradley, members of the ownership group, known as ED40, said in the release from Rubenstein Public Relations.

According to Jodi Walker, the planning board's secretary, the board received a formal letter on Friday from Richard A. Hammer, ED40's attorney, seeking the delay. Reed Jones, the board’s chairman, granted his request.

The proposal, which called for a two-story building, a restaurant, an Olympic-size pool, and below-grade parking, among other amenities, drew fervent opposition in Montauk, including a petition urging the planning board to require a detailed environmental impact study and a paddle-out over Labor Day weekend during which nearly 200 surfers took to the ocean off Ditch Plain Beach in protest.

In his letter, Mr. Hammer cited "significant public comments received" as being a major factor in the decision to ask for the delay.

"The applicant has offered the property for public acquisition to the Town of East Hampton," Mr. Hammer wrote.

"We will, however, revise our plans and improve our presentation for future consideration by the planning board while this consideration by the town board proceeds, and will be in touch with you for future consideration when we are ready for further consideration by the planning board on any revised plans," the letter said.

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