Making Waves in Ditch Plains

There are lots of waves being made in Ditch Plains, Montauk lately, but they’re not the surfing kind. Two storms are brewing on land regarding the quality of life and conservation of this legendary surfing beach and its community. Residents and beachgoers have already signed a petition protesting one new development and are concerned about another that could threaten the very nature and character of this surfing oasis.

The first battle arose in 2013 when the East Deck Motel was sold to ED40 LLC. Alice G. Houseknecht, owner of the legendary motel, founded by her grandparents-in-law in 1954 and in her family for the past six decades, felt it was time to move on. The East Deck Motel not only has a long history associated with the surfing beach at Ditch Plains, but it is woven into the very landscape of Montauk, this “hippie” town from the ’60s. The East Deck may have survived many hurricanes and winter storms in its six decades, but it has barely changed its look in all that time. Like the old surfers who still surf here, it was locked in time, ’60s style; just a one-story oceanfront motel with its iconic East Deck sign on the roof, with a wraparound deck and a pool in the back, bordered by a small parking lot shared by the town. And of course there was the perennial “No Vacancy” notice in the summer.

Alice sold the East Deck Motel to a buyer whom she believed would respect the sensitive nature of Ditch Plains. Unfortunately, she didn’t know at the time that the purchaser ED40 LLC would have a much different plan for East Deck. They purchased the motel for approximately $15M and in 2014 proposed to transform the historic motel into a private membership club that could possibly bring in a scene the likes of The Surf Lodge on Fort Pond.

Their proposal included increasing the total lot coverage by 142%; constructing a 30,219 sq. ft. two-story building with a restaurant, bar, and event space; replacing the 1,375 sq. ft. pool with a 7,224 sq. ft. pool; adding 63 more parking spaces to the existing 37; building a larger septic system; and more. The impact this new development would have on the area would be detrimental, both environmentally and historically.

When word of this spread last summer to the residents and beachgoers of Ditch Plains, the Ditch Plains Association (DPA) put out leaflets to protest. Their online petition received over 5,000 signatures. With so much outrage against the new development, the owners withdrew their proposal from the planning board and said they would explore selling the property to the Town, an idea well received by the petitioners. According to the Ditch Plains Association, “The East Deck property is currently under review for a possible preservation purchase through the Town’s (CPF) Community Preservation Fund.” Laura Michaels, President of the DPA said, “One appraisal had already been done and the Town agreed to do two more.” Scott Wilson, Director of Land Acquisition and Management for the Town of East Hampton remarks, “At the present time it is an active negotiation.”

While East Deck’s fate is still unknown, there is another controversy emerging in Ditch Plains involving a defunct motel on Ditch Plains Road off Montauk Highway. According to the DPA, “We have another unfortunate threat to the character of our residential community and to the preservation of our ground and surface waters. Hotel and restaurant entrepreneur Sean MacPherson, a principal in the Crows Nest Inn and Restaurant, and in David Pharaoh Cottages, has purchased a property at 11 Ditch Plains Road with the intention of running a commercial motel in our residential community.”

Formerly called The Rogues Motel in the ’70s, this long abandoned 8-unit motel may possibly be revived. The narrow 50-foot wide lot in a residential zone includes a single-family house in front and a decrepit 8-unit motel structure in the back. Sean MacPherson purchased the property in 2014 for $1.15M and has plans to renovate it. It has not been in use as a motel for at least 5 years or more. The DPA states, “Because the motel use was legally abandoned, as defined by the East Hampton Town Zoning Code, Mr. MacPherson is no longer entitled to such nonconforming use in a residential zone.” One of DPA’s concerns is that, “Both structures on this property use antiquated cesspools located in a high water table area and are located in close proximity to the wetlands within the Lake Montauk watershed. This will likely lead to septic contamination based on the intensified use that includes 10-11 bedrooms and 9 kitchens.” The DPA is “confident that a careful review will clearly show that the motel use was legally abandoned and that a CO for preexisting nonconforming use will NOT be granted.” The outcome remains to be seen.

When summer arrives, this surfer’s paradise will bask in the sun once again like the ebb and flow of the tides. Surfers from all walks of life will continue to come out to Ditch Plains to enjoy the great waves, while above all respecting the ocean. With two new developments threatening the environment, this legendary beach needs to be protected now more than ever!