The Nantucket Historic District Commission on June 17 told applicants for 12 Angola and 8 North Mill to revise hardscape plans that proposed multiple stone retaining walls and a six‑foot board fence, directing them to submit options that reduce visible retainage and substitute a picket or Garden‑of‑the‑Sea‑style fence near the street.

The commission voted to hold both applications for revisions after lengthy public comment from neighbors and advisory groups who said the proposed walls would conflict with the neighborhood’s open, garden‑like character. Several commissioners and staff also pressed applicants to show cross‑sections and planting plans demonstrating how the walls would appear in public views.

Neighbors argued the initial plans reversed decades of deliberate efforts to preserve the Mill Hill streetscape. “Such walls are totally out of place in this particular neighborhood,” said a neighborhood representative in public comment, noting prior requests to “respect the natural topography.” Historic advisory groups and the town’s historic‑structures advisory members also asked the commissioners to require a single modest retaining wall where possible and to minimize large terraced walls.

HDC staff and commissioners had the applicants stake the proposed wall lines so members could view the top of wall in the field; confusion about the top‑of‑wall stakes led to follow‑up photos and clarification at the meeting. Commissioner Carrie said the top‑of‑wall stake did not show the top of the finished wall and requested that applicants supply clearer sections and photos. Commissioners and staff recommended distributing plantings along the wall faces and returning with the option of a single tier where feasible.

On fencing, staff and several commissioners recommended a type‑2 picket fence rather than a solid six‑foot board fence between the main house and garage, and asked applicants to provide options: (1) a picket fence consistent with the district, (2) a Garden‑of‑the‑Sea‑style fence that would echo nearby features, and (3) a low stone knee wall option. Commissioner Steven asked for cross sections showing a fence option with minor retainage built into the base to reduce visible wall height.

The commission’s motion instructed applicants to return with the revisions and to indicate the cross‑section location on the site plan. Commissioners emphasized planting schemes to soften any walls and requested explicit dimensions showing sight lines from public ways.

Why this matters: Residents said the project as proposed would change a neighborhood valued for scenic open slopes and gardened vistas. The HDC’s conditional guidance — asking for fewer tiers and more planting — aims to balance property‑owner access and erosion control with preservation of local character.

Next steps: The HDC granted a hold for revisions and asked the applicants to submit revised drawings showing (a) one‑wall options, (b) cross sections with the proposed fence options, and (c) planting plans specifying evergreen screening and planting locations.