Historic District Commission denies new curb cut and parking request at 126 Main Street

The Nantucket Historic District Commission voted on Sept. 16 to deny an application to create an additional front-yard parking space at 126 Main Street, rejecting a request for a second curb cut and parking pad on Main Street’s Old Historic District. The decision followed public comment urging the commission to uphold its earlier, more-limited approval.

The commission’s vote came after lengthy public remarks from resident Kevin Toth, who urged the board to “stick to its original decision and shut this nonsense down,” saying the applicant’s proposed hardscape would “consume” the small front yard and was inappropriate for Main Street. Several commissioners echoed those concerns during the meeting.

The commission’s denial emphasizes two grounds cited repeatedly in the hearing: the proposed surfacing material and the location/orientation of any additional space. Commissioners described a front-yard car parking pad—including grass or reinforced turf—on Main Street as out of character and easily convertible to routine use, which they found incompatible with the street’s historic setting.

Commissioners discussed alternatives such as using existing rear or shared driveways rather than creating a new curb cut visible from Main Street. During debate Chair Steven Welch explained the commission’s role as an architectural reviewer and said the board must assess the physical changes visible from the public way.

The commission’s motion to deny rested on the application’s proposed surfacing material and the proposed orientation/location of the space. The motion passed in a formal vote at the hearing.

The applicant may seek other local approvals or appeal the decision; commissioners noted that questions about legal jurisdiction could be raised later in appeals to the Select Board or town counsel, but the HDC framed its decision on design and streetscape compatibility.