Calvary Baptist says it seeks ‘small‑scale’ housing; residents demand transparency over Spinner Lane plans

Pastor Trevon Ferguson told the board Oct. 1 that Calvary Baptist Church of East Hampton is exploring how to support "a small fraction" of housing needs through childcare and other services and reiterated that the church "has not sold its land or signed a contract with any developer." Ferguson said the church would proceed through its own established processes and board votes.

Several residents — citing FOIL records — urged the town to separate private developer advocacy from independent town policy making. Joy from Wade Scott and other speakers said FOIL documents show meetings among developer representatives, council members and staff discussing code changes and specific projects. "When private parties advocating changes to our town code or simultaneously identifying specific developments that could benefit from those changes, I believe residents have a right to understand where private advocacy ends and independent town housing policy begins," one speaker said. Church leaders called for collaborative dialogue and said they hope any housing work will honor the church’s history and benefit the wider community.