Planning board sends 23 Peach Farm Lane building-envelope modification to public hearing

Planning staff told the East Hampton Planning Board on June 26 that an application to modify the building envelope at 23 Peach Farm Lane (a lot in the Ranger State subdivision) would reshape the envelope to include a small garage constructed beyond the previously approved limit and reduce the envelope elsewhere by a net 587 square feet.

Staff explained that the applicant proposes to enlarge the envelope in one small area to encompass an existing garage encroachment (an extension described as roughly 124 sq ft) while shrinking the envelope in an area with steep slopes by about 711 sq ft, for a net reduction of 587 sq ft. Planning staff advised the board the change would reduce the overall area available for clearing and that the Planning Department found the revised envelope "appropriate" and the application "complete and ready for a public hearing." The application also implicates subdivision covenants and the Declaration of PR restrictions, which limit clearing to designated envelopes.

An attorney representing the applicant noted that the change reduces the portion of the lot that could be cleared and reminded the board that holding a public hearing was discretionary. Board members debated whether the special circumstances described in staff27s recommendation merited public notice; several members favored a hearing to allow the public an opportunity to comment, and the board agreed the application should proceed to a public hearing. Staff advised the board to require documentation of the map change (certificate of map amendment or map correction) as a condition to ensure county records reflect the revised envelope.

Next steps: the Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the application; if the board approves after that hearing, staff recommended recording a map amendment or correction with the county clerk so the official map reflects the revised envelope.