ARB approves Wainscott-area house in Agricultural Overlay, requires removal of some tree downlights
July 10, 2026 | East Hampton, Suffolk County, New York
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The East Hampton Architectural Review Board voted July 9 to approve a proposed new residence at 48 Sayers Path in Wainscott, but conditioned the approval on removal of two tree-mounted downlights closest to the pool house.
Chris, who led the presentation, described the project as a 3,842-square-foot above-ground main house with a 600-square-foot garage, an 82-square-foot pool house and a 325-square-foot covered porch; maximum proposed height is 29 feet in a zone where 32 feet is allowed. The architect and narrative emphasize cedar cladding, bronze-painted window frames and a composition intended to sit low in the landscape.
Nicholas Hunt, the project architect, said the team's goal was to "fit in the neighborhood," noting the house is largely hidden from public view. "We feel like it is a structure that fits in the neighborhood," he told the board.
Several members expressed concern about lighting proposed near the agricultural reserve. Greg Connick asked the board to remove three downlights on the left of the plan and specifically requested the three fixtures nearest the pool house be omitted; the motion the board adopted removed the two tree downlights immediately west of the pool house.
Board members praised the project's efforts to break up massing and to use natural materials in keeping with the agricultural area. The panel also discussed that some flat roofs will incorporate green-roof assemblies and that views from Wainscot Hollow could include limited glimpses of higher gables in winter; members concluded that the proposal met the overlay's design preferences when the two downlights were removed.
A motion to approve the application with the proviso that the two western tree downlights by the pool house be omitted passed by voice vote; the transcript records the approval as unanimous. The board instructed the applicant to address any building-department questions about driveway clearance and to bring lighting cut sheets if needed for final inspection.
Chris, who led the presentation, described the project as a 3,842-square-foot above-ground main house with a 600-square-foot garage, an 82-square-foot pool house and a 325-square-foot covered porch; maximum proposed height is 29 feet in a zone where 32 feet is allowed. The architect and narrative emphasize cedar cladding, bronze-painted window frames and a composition intended to sit low in the landscape.
Nicholas Hunt, the project architect, said the team's goal was to "fit in the neighborhood," noting the house is largely hidden from public view. "We feel like it is a structure that fits in the neighborhood," he told the board.
Several members expressed concern about lighting proposed near the agricultural reserve. Greg Connick asked the board to remove three downlights on the left of the plan and specifically requested the three fixtures nearest the pool house be omitted; the motion the board adopted removed the two tree downlights immediately west of the pool house.
Board members praised the project's efforts to break up massing and to use natural materials in keeping with the agricultural area. The panel also discussed that some flat roofs will incorporate green-roof assemblies and that views from Wainscot Hollow could include limited glimpses of higher gables in winter; members concluded that the proposal met the overlay's design preferences when the two downlights were removed.
A motion to approve the application with the proviso that the two western tree downlights by the pool house be omitted passed by voice vote; the transcript records the approval as unanimous. The board instructed the applicant to address any building-department questions about driveway clearance and to bring lighting cut sheets if needed for final inspection.
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