Land planner urges end to stop-work order blocking Farrell family’s rebuilding

At a July 28 public hearing, land planner Grama Carter told the East Hampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals the key question is whether a stop-work order should continue to stall the Farrells’ larger rebuilding while only a portion of the work is in dispute. "We believe that the question here is whether it's appropriate for a stop work order to continue halting an entire project when the issue involves 1 portion of the work and every requested approval has now been obtained for that work," Carter said.

Carter said Kenneth and Margaret Farrell lost their home in a fire more than two years ago, obtained a valid building permit and submitted an amended building permit in August 2025 for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and garage. She said the family began work on the ADU and garage after waiting six months for the amended permit and received a stop-work order in March; since then, the project has not continued and the family has exhausted temporary housing paid by insurance. Carter told the board that documents requested by the town — including Board of Health signoffs and HERS approval — have now been provided, and that insurance disbursements tied to construction progress have been delayed because the project has not reached the 75% completion milestone.

Board members questioned whether the amended permit applied only to the ADU and garage (Carter said it did) and confirmed that the amended application was submitted before the July 14 hearing. The chair said the record would be closed that evening and asked members to be prepared to act next week. A motion to close the public hearing and record was made and members concurred by voice.

The board did not issue a final determination at the July 28 meeting; the hearing was closed so members could deliberate and decide at a subsequent date.