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Amagansett homeowners seek second-story addition; board presses for stronger wetland mitigation and bamboo control
Summary
MIO Trust's plan for an 828 sq ft second-story addition with roof deck at 96 Marine Blvd raised questions about a pyramid-height variance, septic setbacks and invasive bamboo in wetlands; the applicant agreed to contain/remove bamboo outside the wetland, add a robust revegetation plan and return with septic redesign options; the board left the record open until April 28.
The Zoning Board heard an application from MIO Trust for 96 Marine Boulevard in Amagansett proposing an 828-square-foot second-story addition with a roof deck and multiple variances to legalize existing decks, bins, generator and AC units within wetland setbacks.
Laurie Wiltshire, the agent, outlined the constrained lot and engineering work: "The existing cesspool sits 28 feet from the wetlands ... The proposed leaching trenches will sit 2 feet above groundwater and nearly filter nearly 100% of the nitrates," she said, noting an overall mitigation package including a scenic easement and revegetation.
Planning department planner Morgan Slater described wetland growth in the area, rising groundwater and ongoing wetland flooding; she recommended robust native revegetation, questioned whether a scenic easement over an already disturbed footprint was adequate mitigation and urged alternatives to reduce septic proximity to the wetland. "It is an extremely constrained lot, and it's challenging to get the footprint of all the required mitigation in here," she said.
Owner and resident Joseph Mayer Jr. spoke in support, describing the house as a long-standing family home the owners want to keep functional for aging relatives: "It's been there for 26 years ... we just kinda wanna round it out so that we have room."
Board members focused on three mitigation elements: increasing septic setbacks where possible, containing and removing bamboo without disturbing the wetland, and establishing a dune-compatible revegetation and woody buffer. The applicant agreed to explore pushing leaching galleries slightly south, to install a root barrier and remove bamboo outside the wetland, and to return with a detailed planting and implementation protocol.
The board closed the public hearing but left the record open to April 28 so the applicant can provide revised septic layouts, a revegetation/restoration plan and a bamboo-removal/containment protocol for planning staff approval.
Next steps: applicant to supply revised septic design and detailed landscape/restoration and installation protocols for planning-department review.
