Nantucket Town Government Roundup October 31 - November 13

This government roundup includes new information on an enforcement case against the Summer House that remains pending before the Conservation Commission and the so-called "New Downtown" development on Sparks Avenue.

• Special Town Meeting attendees voted 1045-421 to legalize short-term rentals island-wide without further restriction. Attention now turns to the Annual Town Meeting, with the warrant for citizen warrant articles set to close later this month.
• Nantucket's Coastal Resilience Advisory Committee (CRAC) has issued an updated and prioritized list of coastal resilience priorities for Nantucket, which includes raising Madaket Road and overhauling the Steamboat Wharf.
• The Select Board is poised to take up a revision to Nantucket’s noise bylaws, and also voted 3-2 to uphold the Historic District Commission’s decision to allow the demolition of the old Nantucket Electric Company building on New Whale Street. The Select Board is now considering potential reforms to the HDC appeal process. At the same meeting, Police Chief Jody Kasper told the Select Board that the police department will be ramping up enforcement of e-bike rule violations. The following week, the Select Board heard a presentation on the application process for the Community Claims Fund stemming from last year’s wind turbine blade failure.
• The Select Board also voted unanimously to approve the transfer of Faregrounds restaurant’s alcohol and live entertainment licenses to Overlook Restaurant LLC, managed by Karen Cingolo. Ethan Devine, whose family previously operated the Veranda House hotel when it was known as the Overlook, is set to purchase the restaurant.
• Well over a year after allegations that the Summer House’s beachside dining violates wetland protection regulations first emerged, the case may finally be nearing a ruling from the Conservation Commission. The Commission voted unanimously last Thursday to close the case, but opted to wait until its next meeting to rule on whether the inn could continue to offer dining on the beach. A majority of the Commissioners expressed serious skepticism that the Summer House could proceed with business as usual next summer.
• Dozens of Nantucket residents came out once again on Thursday to a special meeting of the School Committee to raise concerns with the Committee’s proposed athletic facilities renovation.
• The Land Bank has hired former environmental police captain Dean Belanger as its venison processing manager for its new facility on Boynton Lane. Land Bank Commissioners hope to have the facility operational for the start of shotgun season on December 1st. The Land Bank Commission also reviewed a $22,500 dune system proposal for 41 Jefferson Avenue, part of a broader proposal for the property. It also approved a $2.1 million modular housing duplex installation proposal for its property at 166 Hummock Pond Road.
• After voicing serious concerns, the Land Bank Commission also voted to approve an additional $542,000 for a permitting plan for its creeks overlook project on East Creek Road. That’s on top of $396,000 already spent on permitting. The project, initially expected to cost $4.35 million, is now expected to cost $4.9 million, and that’s before the cost of permitting is factored in. Several commissioners raised concerns with the high cost of the permitting effort and the sprawling nature of the overlook project before ultimately voting to support the permitting approach, with only Mark Donato ultimately voting against the proposal. It’s still possible that the Land Bank will later vote to cut some parts of the project after permitting is complete. Permitting is expected to take another two years.
• The Zoning Board of Appeals is raising its fees for most applications from $450 to $1,000 after leaving them static for years.
• The Planning Board approved the relocation of an arcade within the so-called “New Downtown” development on Sparks Avenue. The main consequence of the move is that the arcade will take the place of the proposed takeout restaurant, which is no longer part of the plans for the development. A larger sit-down restaurant remains part of the plans.
• A proposal to expand the Cliffside Beach Club from 110 to 150 members was continued as the applicant continues to work out a parking plan. The Planning Board also responded favorably to sketch plans for an eight-building elder housing development at 13 Woodland Drive on Thursday, potentially clearing the way for the end of a lengthy debate over the property's future.