Sag Harbor 'legs' sculpture voted down

The controversial legs on the side of art dealer Ruth Vered's home in Sag Harbor were given their walking papers Tuesday by the village's Zoning Board of Appeals.

The board voted 4-0 against granting three variances that would have brought the 16-foot-tall casting of a Larry Rivers sculpture into compliance with the village zoning code.

"I've never had a variance that asks that much relief. I can't do that," said board member Anthony Hagen. The others on the board agreed.

Vered and her partner, Janet Lehr, have been fighting for three years to keep the sculpture on their house on Madison Street. Matters came to a head in December when a village building inspector issued a summons to Vered and Lehr for violating the zoning code.

About 70 people came to a board of appeals hearing last month, many to support the iconic sculpture. For weeks, the zoning board has been meeting with its attorney, seeking a compromise.

In the end, zoning officials said the legs have to come down. Vered and Lehr have until Sept. 15 to do it, but the outdoor lighting on the legs must be turned off immediately.

"They're chickens," Vered said after the decision was announced. She added that 700 people had signed a petition supporting her, and she and Lehr would decide on their next move before the September deadline.