Neighbors oppose proposed housing at Calvary Baptist site; developer and church ties questioned

A proposed, developer‑driven concept for housing on church land at 60 Spinner Lane drew sustained opposition and competing claims about who is speaking for Calvary Baptist Church during the Sept. 17 East Hampton Town Board meeting.

Residents who live on Spinner Lane and nearby streets said a conceptual plan discussed in the media—described by some as up to 48 units and 121 bedrooms—would overwhelm narrow, unlit roads and create safety risks for bicycling children and pedestrians. "A project of that scale would fundamentally change the traffic, activity, safety conditions, and character of the neighborhood," said Zach Vanderbeek, who lives on Spinner Lane. Multiple speakers requested traffic studies, asked whether town services such as wastewater and road capacity could handle the project, and urged the board to deny rezoning until those studies are completed.

The meeting included an internal dispute about representation. Alan Gregg, who identified himself as a Calvary Baptist Church member, said an outside developer has been presenting plans "for himself" and "is not speaking for the church." The developer's representative, Kirby Marcantonio, said he has engaged with church leaders and described plans focused on "essential workers" housing and community uses, such as day care and a community house. Marcantonio framed the project as one of the few remaining viable sites for housing in town, and urged careful planning rather than reflexive rejection.

Speakers also raised equity and historical concerns: Alita Williams and others emphasized Calvary Baptist's long family and community ties and asked the board to meaningfully engage those directly affected before any transaction or rezoning. The board said no zoning application had yet been filed and that formal review would be required before any change could proceed.