Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
ARB defers Sand and Soil Farm deer‑fence request pending easement paperwork and survey
Summary
The ARB supported farming on town land but deferred decision on an 8‑foot agricultural fence proposed by Sand and Soil Farm after identifying ambiguity in the property's scenic‑easement paperwork; the board asked staff to retrieve the easement documents and required an updated survey showing gate locations.
The East Hampton Architectural Review Board on March 26 reviewed a request from Sand and Soil Farm to enclose town‑leased farmland at 22 Farmhouse Lane with an 8‑foot agricultural deer fence but deferred action until legal paperwork and a precise survey are provided.
Frank (speaker 9) described the property as set several hundred feet off Springs Fireplace Road and said the applicant proposes fencing the entire lot to protect crops from deer. Anne de Fortier, who identified herself as co‑farmer with partner James Burke, said the town purchased the property to be farmed and that "we can't really do much more without an agricultural fence" because deer are eating plantings. She said the proposal includes three gates for access.
Board members flagged a potential conflict with hatched areas on the submitted survey labeled as a scenic easement. Alex (staff, speaker 11) and other members noted the transcript does not make clear whether the recorded paperwork is a scenic conservation easement, an agricultural easement, or another instrument, and they said the legal document creating the easement must be reviewed before the ARB can approve fencing along the property line. The board also asked the applicant for an updated survey showing the final gate locations and how the proposed fence would relate to a 12‑foot driveway easement used by a neighbor.
The board indicated support in principle for farming the parcel but assigned staff (Scott) to retrieve and review the easement paperwork and deferred final action until that review and a survey amendment are completed. The applicant indicated they are conversing with the neighbor to honor the 12‑foot driveway easement and will submit final survey details.
