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ZBA denies lakeside spa and gravel patio on East Lake Drive; conditionally approves landward house addition with revegetation
Summary
The ZBA denied wetland and bluff‑crest variances for a spa/hot tub and gravel patio at 261 East Lake Drive, finding those features would harm Lake Montauk's sensitive shoreline; the board conditionally approved a 1,100 sq ft landward addition provided a more robust revegetation plan is approved and the building department verifies the gross floor area.
The board reviewed the TMT Montauk Realty application for 261 East Lake Drive and heard technical memos and a revegetation plan. Planners and board members described Lake Montauk as environmentally sensitive and concluded spa and gravel patio requests seaward of the house would increase nonconformity and risk to wetlands.
Member Burger and others denied the spa/hot tub and gravel patio variances as "very substantial" and likely to change the character of the neighborhood and adversely affect environmental conditions. Member Jane and others cited required revegetation improvements and said the patio/gravel and spa could be located landward.
On the landward one‑story 1,100 sq ft addition, the board was split but several members agreed to approve the addition only if the applicant submits an improved revegetation plan (the transcript names a 4,350 sq ft reveg target) with more woody/native species and planning‑department approval; members also requested the building department verify the current gross floor area before permit issuance to ensure the addition does not exceed allowed GFA.
The board’s actions reflect the town’s NRSP and variance standards for wetland and bluff protections and an emphasis on revegetation as mitigation when upland development is permitted. The transcript shows the board denying waterfront hardening features while offering a conditional path forward for an upland addition tied to stronger revegetation and GFA verification.
