A Southampton panel reviewing a demolition application for a circa-1845 house at 156 Church Lane in Bridgehampton voted Tuesday to extend by 60 days the deadline for its report to the town's Building Department, pushing the date from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
The extension was approved with the consent of the property owner, Greg Connor, to allow more time for discussions about preserving the structure rather than demolishing it. One member, identified only as Tim, was absent for the vote.
Board member Stephanie Davis, who opened the meeting, laid out the history of the dwelling, known as historic resource BHHD-118, describing it as a one-and-a-half-story vernacular salt box structure with a large brick central chimney and windows that appear original to its construction. She said the house appears to meet three criteria for landmark consideration under town code, including its association with the early 19th-century Bulls Head settlement area of Bridgehampton.
Carl Benacosta, representing the owner, Greg Connor, told the board his client was watching an earlier proceeding and called him after realizing how invested the community was in the property. Benacosta said Connor wanted to discuss options for voluntary preservation, including designing an addition that would not affect the historic facade or relocating the structure.
"He didn't realize the extent that this community was invested in this property, and he wanted an opportunity to discuss options for voluntary preservation with this board," Benacosta said.
Board members said they would be open to meeting with the owner to look at the building and discuss options, while raising concerns about ensuring the structure would not be demolished during the discussion period. Benacosta said a demolition permit is required to legally demolish a building and that Connor would provide whatever assurance the board needed.
Zach Strudinroth, representing Preservation Long Island, told the board he believes the house may predate the date in the historical record and said its modest scale makes it significant because smaller dwellings are often lost while larger homes are preserved.
Tom Watson, who said he lives near the house and was speaking for himself rather than the Bridgehampton Civic Association, asked the board to tell Connor that community members were not trying to move quickly to catch him off guard.
"It's sort of the only option we had to move forward," Watson said of the board's pace in addressing the demolition application.
Davis said the next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17 and that she would make sure the matter is placed on that agenda.