The Nantucket Historic District Commission unanimously ordered a property owner to remove or set back cattle grates and add native-plant screening along the Nonantum Road frontage, saying the current installation is visually intrusive and not appropriate for the historic district.

The commission discussed the case during a long meeting on Aug. 12 about multiple applications and enforcement items. Commissioner Angus moved the amendment that became the commission's order; the commission adopted it as an exhibit A requiring: removal of all cattle grates visible from Nonantum Road, or their relocation 20 feet inside the property line at the Nonantum frontage; installation of indigenous vegetation to screen the fence and posts; and replacement or concealment of the visible metal posts so the perimeter treatment reads as a single, vegetated assembly.

Commissioners said the metal posts and visible cattle-grate apron draw the eye and are out of character with the island's traditional fence treatments. "Those thin metal posts stand out," Commissioner Val said during deliberations. Commissioner Carrie added that the visible apron off Nonantum is "way too deep" and should be reduced or screened. The commission also required an as-built submittal so staff can confirm the work matches the revised plan.

The owner submitted photographs and a landscape plan with the application; commissioners and staff confirmed in the meeting record that much of the property is sunken and not visible from public ways, but they said the visible sections along Nonantum must be corrected.

The commission recorded its decision as a formal condition the applicant must meet; staff will track compliance through an as-built review.

The action follows an enforcement referral that staff sent the commission; commissioners said their goal was to remove the most visually prominent elements and restore a more traditional, vegetated edge along the public way.