Vote On Superstores

The East Hampton Town Board is expected to vote tomorrow on its proposed "superstore law," which would cap supermarkets at 25,000 square feet and allow them only in central business zones. A&P has proposed a 34,878-square-foot store on a Pantigo Road site now zoned for "neighborhood business" use.

The owners of the Newtown Lane building housing the existing A&P said yesterday there was no truth to the rumor that the supermarket's lease may not be renewed.

A&P has four more years remaining on its lease with Norman and Roberta Lowenstein of Boca Raton, Fla. Mr. Lowenstein said yesterday the supermarket will "have every opportunity to negotiate a new lease," if plans for a bigger store at the former Stern's site fall through.

In the swirl of publicity and public debate over the plans, the issue of A&P's lease on Newtown Lane has been raised. Some following the proposal have speculated the supermarket's lease may not be up for renewal when it expires - hence the push for a new store.

But Mr. Lowenstein, contacted in Florida yesterday, said there was "absolutely no basis" for the assumption. "They have four years left," he said. "They have plenty of time to negotiate a lease with us and we have no problem with that." If the plans for a new store fall through, he said, "I would expect to see them stay."

Tomorrow's Town Board meeting begins at 10 a.m. at Town Hall.