No Wetlands Variance For North Fork Bank

Intrusion onto fragile wetland setbacks are not warranted when a front-yard setback would suffice, the East Hampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals decided Tuesday, in a ruling on an application by the North Fork Bank Development Corporation, the subject of an Oct. 1 hearing.

The corporation was seeking two 23-foot wetlands setback variances for a 2,180-square-foot, two-story house and a swimming pool with decking planned for its Lighthouse Landing Road, East Hampton, property.

Willing To Amend

A 528-square-foot attached garage is also planned for the Northwest Woods lot, which contains freshwater wetlands and is located about 100 yards from Northwest Harbor.

Brian Frank, a town planner, told the Z.B.A. and a representative of the corporation, Robert Fox, that he would rather see the board grant a 20-foot front-yard setback variance, which would require moving the structures 20 feet closer to the road and away from the wetlands.

Mr. Frank argued that his alternative would protect the wetlands, which he noted is part of a "very large wetland system" that includes the Grace Estate subdivision next door.

An East Hampton attorney, Patricia O'Donnell, spoke on behalf of two neighbors, Elizabeth and Frederick Cohen, who were "vehemently opposed" to the wetlands variances.

Mr. Fox indicated he would be willing to amend the application by moving the proposed house closer to the road.