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ZBA continues West Myakomet house relocation; asks for revegetation plan, reduced disturbance
Summary
The Zoning Board of Appeals continued consideration of a house relocation across West Myakomet Road, asking the applicant to submit a revegetation plan for the vacated area and to reduce proposed disturbance at the relocation site.
Attorney Arthur Reed and wetlands specialist Brian Madden presented a proposal to relocate an existing house across West Myakomet Road within the mapped MMD area. Reed said the move would not change the building footprint or design and that the Conservation Commission had approved the relocation subject to conditions; Natural Heritage review was ongoing for mapped habitat concerns.
Board members focused on three themes: the effect of creating additional disturbed area on the north side of the road versus revegetating the existing south-side footprint left behind; whether Lot 26 (the southerly portion) should remain vacant and "unbuildable" per an earlier decision; and the deck and walking paths proposed on the vacated lot. Brian Madden said the restoration footprint on the existing south-side area would be about 15,000 square feet and that proposed new disturbance on the north side was about 19,243 square feet (not including an existing 4,300-square-foot septic area), meaning net disturbance on the property would increase without additional mitigation.
Multiple board members and commenters asked the applicant to: provide a formal revegetation plan with native species for the vacated area; reduce the disturbed footprint at the relocated site (shorten driveway, reduce walking-path width and relocate the shed where feasible); and clarify whether a deck shown on the vacated south parcel is needed and how large it is (the applicant estimated roughly 15–16 feet square). Brian Madden confirmed the Conservation Commission approval included restoration and revegetation of much of the vacated footprint and that the project proposes roughly 15,000 square feet of restoration; the board asked for a clearer numeric comparison of existing disturbed area and proposed disturbed area.
Representatives of the Nantucket Land and Water Council (Emily Malden) supported relocation to address erosion but urged strong conditions, including native-species revegetation and exploration of alternatives to the proposed driveway to reduce north-side disturbance. The board also noted that some MMD rules limit ground cover and that many parcels in the MMD are already preexisting nonconforming.
The applicant asked for a continuance to provide Natural Heritage / MISA comments expected in the coming weeks, a revegetation/restoration plan, and tighter disturbance-area numbers. The board voted unanimously to continue the hearing to May 8 to allow submission of the additional materials.
