Planning board grants temporary permit for storage containers at Richmond/Great Point construction site

At a Nantucket Planning Board meeting, the board voted unanimously to grant a special permit allowing nine storage containers and one construction trailer to remain at the Richmond/Great Point construction site, with conditions that limit the permit to two years, require a 12‑month revisit and require screening approved by staff.

The permit covers storage containers that the applicant says support ongoing modular construction on the Richmond/Great Point site and are used to hold materials and an office trailer for contractors. Andrew Burrick, the applicant’s representative, said the containers “support the construction of modular homes” and that many containers are rotated in and out as work proceeds. He told the board the containers have been on site “for about under 6 months” and estimated a practical maximum need of 24 months for the containers overall.

Neighbors and the board pressed for visibility and safety mitigations. Robert Goldzer, a nearby resident, asked whether the containers were visible from Old South Road and urged the applicant to “push backwards so that they’re not quite so visible.” Multiple residents and board members urged a screening plan. The board adopted a condition requiring screening—fabric fencing subject to staff review—and a 12‑month check‑in to confirm compliance and to revisit other mitigation steps if necessary.

Staff had suggested a different quantity in an earlier draft of the staff report; the record shows staff noted seven containers and one trailer in a report assembled before more recent site activity was confirmed. During the hearing Andrew Burrick clarified the current request is for nine containers and one trailer to support modular deliveries and storage.

Motion and outcome: Hillary Rayport moved to grant the special permit for nine 10‑foot storage containers and one construction trailer for a two‑year term, with a mandatory revisit after 12 months and a requirement that the storage area be screened with fabric fencing subject to staff review; Nat Lowell seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The board recorded that, if enforcement becomes necessary, staff may pursue such remedies as the zoning enforcement process allows. Board members and residents also discussed temporary screening alternatives (fencing vs. vegetative screening) and agreed the fabric screening solution would be acceptable if staff approves the details and monitors maintenance.

The board closed the public hearing and the permit will return to the board for the 12‑month check‑in or earlier if compliance issues arise.