East Hampton zoning board could set precedent with Springs teardown decision

The East Hampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals faces a quandary: if an older structure is torn down, should the new building be held to modern zoning regulations? A proposal to build a new home on a half acre plot on Isle of Wight Road in Springs could prove to be the test case. The owner wants to tear down the 1960s-era home and pool and build a 4,281-square-foot house and larger pool, the East Hampton Star reported. The plan needs a variance from the board to build closer to protected wetlands than modern code allows. The owner’s team argues the pre-existing structure is being modified, but some board members believe the property should be considered vacant once the older house is demolished. [East Hampton Star]