Town Board Adopts Zoning Code Amendment, Revises Gross Floor Area

EAST HAMPTON, NY — The East Hampton Town board has voted to adopt an amendment to the town’s zoning code, revising and downsizing the gross floor area allowances for single-family residences, officials said.

The voted was split, with East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, Deputy Supervisor Cate Rogers, and Councilmember David Lys voting in favor, Councilman Ian Calder-Piedmonte voting against the measure, and Councilman Tom Flight abstaining from the vote.

The new GFA formula would limit house size to 7 percent of lot area plus 1,500 square feet, or 10,000 square feet, whichever is less. The previous standard limited house size to 10 percent of lot area plus 1,600 square feet.

The amendment, introduced by Rogers, "reflects the town board’s commitment to ensuring that East Hampton’s land use policies align with the comprehensive plan, balancing growth, environmental protection, and the preservation of community character," town officials said.

The adopted amendment came after "an extensive review process that included public input, environmental analysis, and recommendations from the Zoning Code Amendment Workgroup," town officials said.

Established by the town board in 2023, the workgroup was tasked with evaluating potential updates to East Hampton’s zoning regulations and providing recommendations for the town board’s consideration.

The Zoning Code Amendment Workgroup was established to ensure a thorough review of zoning laws and included a diverse group of town officials, experts, and community volunteers, officials said.

Effective July 1, 2025, the amendment revises the town code modifying the maximum allowable gross floor area for single-family residences. "This adjustment ensures that future residential development is appropriately scaled to lot size, preventing excessive building mass while maintaining flexibility for homeowners," town officials said. "The amendment is designed to support long-term planning goals articulated in the town’s comprehensive plan; address community concerns regarding housing density, infrastructure, and environmental impacts; and maintain community character by regulating the scale of new construction."

To ensure a smooth transition, the amendment includes temporary exemptions for projects that have made substantial progress before the law takes effect on July 1, 2025, town officials said. Parcels of land will be exempt from compliance if they meet one of the following conditions by that date, including: a complete application for a building permit has been submitted to the building department; a valid building permit has already been issued; a complete application has been submitted to the zoning board of appeals, planning board, or architectural review board, and an approval has been granted by one of the above boards.

"As leaders, we carry the responsibility of making decisions that reflect not only the needs of today, but the values that have shaped East Hampton for generations. This amendment is about protecting the character of our community, our sense of place, ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of what makes this place so special. It’s a values-driven decision rooted in our love for this town, and our belief that thoughtful, principled leadership can preserve its character while planning wisely for the future," East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said.

Deputy Supervisor Cate Rogers, who served as the town board liaison to the zoning code amendment workgroup, spoke about the extensive research and public engagement process: "This amendment is the result of thorough analysis, community engagement, and collaboration. The Zoning Code Amendment Workgroup provided valuable recommendations, and I thank them for their hard work, and the town board carefully considered all factors including intense public engagement before making its decision."

According to the East End Beacon, both Flight and Calder-Piedmonte had expressed reservations about the change, saying that they were concerned about the impact on local families and working people.