Commission approves amended order for 36 Tennessee Avenue, including construction of new dwelling in existing footprint

The Nantucket Conservation Commission on April 3 approved an amended Order of Conditions for 36 Tennessee LLC (36 Tennessee Avenue) allowing a partial demolition, relocation of a portion of the existing structure, and construction of a new dwelling within the existing developed footprint.

Why it matters: The property sits in Madaket and crosses an unconstructed paper road (Oklahoma Avenue) with resource areas that include bordering vegetated wetlands, a policy coastal bank and land subject to coastal storm flowage. The amendment won approval after the applicant and consultants said the revised plan reduces ground cover in critical buffers compared with the existing development.

Paul Santos of Nantucket Surveyors presented the application and described the site as a multi-lot property that includes previously approved septic upgrades and an existing, sprawling dwelling built circa 1975. Santos said the amended plan would "provide a long term net benefit" by reducing ground cover within the 25‑foot and 50‑foot buffers and by locating the septic system as far from the creek as feasible; he noted the property recently expanded with purchase of an adjacent parcel to the west but said that land is largely constrained by buffer setbacks.

The applicant requested waivers from sections of the Nantucket Wetland Protection Regulations (section 3.90.10 B5 and 3.90.18 B1) to permit demolition and reconstruction within established buffer setbacks. The commission found, in the amended order language, that the project "results in a net benefit to the resource area" and granted waivers under Section 3.93 F3 C of the regulations.

Commissioners asked for typical conditions for residential projects in Madaket: low‑impact, dark‑sky compliant exterior lighting; use of native species in landscaping with restrictions on fertilizer and agricultural chemicals; and monitoring and invasive‑species management where required. The commission added those conditions to the amended order before issuing it.

The commission voted by roll call to close the hearing and later voted unanimously to issue the amended Order of Conditions. Staff said the amended order would be issued in the orders section and would contain the revised plan of record and the added conditions.

Ending: The applicant may proceed under the amended Order of Conditions once staff finalizes the permit text; the commission will monitor compliance through conditions attached to the order.