Underground propane tanks, driveway changes proposed in Montauk; planners press for woody revegetation

The Zoning Board reviewed a natural resources special permit application from 176 DeForest Road LLC to install two underground 1,000‑gallon propane tanks, reconfigure a driveway and carry out a roughly 15,498‑square‑foot revegetation plan on a large, wetlands‑constrained Montauk parcel.

Karen Hope, appearing for the applicant, told the board the tanks would be buried in the most conforming locations on an approximately 18‑acre site and that the disturbed area where tanks will be installed is already cleared and fenced. She said the applicants had provided a landscape plan and a survey and that the DEC permit for the work had been uploaded to the town’s portal.

The Planning Department described the lot as constrained—dwarf forest, freshwater wetlands and portions inside the Montauk historic district—and urged that the revegetation plan be revised to include a higher proportion of native woody species that better replicate a morland habitat and provide a stronger wetland buffer. The planner also recommended maximizing separation between the driveway and adjacent wetlands where possible. The planning department said the proposed tank locations are among the few places on the parcel that meet minimum setbacks.

Board members had no outstanding technical objections after the planning review and the applicant agreed to revise the revegetation plan to include more woody native species. The board moved to close the public hearing and record; conditions discussed included finalizing the revegetation plan and confirming DEC and IA sanitary approvals before permit issuance.

The board did not record a roll-call tally on the record; the motion to close passed with concurrence recorded orally.