The Town of Nantucket Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously June 12 to grant a special permit for a swimming pool and spa at 8 Sandwich Road, approving conditions that require the pool and associated mechanical equipment to be sited at least 20 feet from lot lines and for landscaping and a stamped Historic District Commission (HDC) approval to be attached to the file.

The board’s decision stemmed from an application presented by attorney Arthur Reed on behalf of applicant Brian Ryder. Reed told the board the property meets the VR (Village Residential) zoning district criteria for a special-permit pool and that the proposal conforms to the staff report. “It’s a straightforward application of the type that you’ve handled many times before … and we would, therefore, ask that it be approved,” Reed said.

The board’s nut graf: the lot contains 32,702 square feet, exceeding the VR minimum of 20,000 square feet; the board found that, with conditions, the pool use and associated mechanicals are “in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the zoning bylaw.” The board required that the location of the pool, pool equipment and landscaping be installed substantially as shown on the submitted site plan and attached HDC certificate of appropriateness.

In discussion, applicant Brian Ryder said screening and a fence will be installed along the south property line and that multiple nearby properties already contain pools. “I think most of you know the history of the neighborhood. There’s there’s there’s five pools within the 300-foot radius of my proposed pool,” Ryder said. Board members asked for a stamped, approved HDC plan to be added to the application record and requested the site plan be revised to show the pool equipment’s location. The board specified that mechanical equipment must be placed under the crawl space of the pool house and outside the 20-foot setback; that requirement is recorded in the decision.

The decision also imposes operational conditions: chemical treatment of the pool must stop three weeks prior to any draining or discharging, and if municipal disposal is not available the owner must hire a professional to truck water to the wastewater treatment facility; the pool shall not be chemically treated between Nov. 1 and May 1; and future landscape lighting related to the pool must be reviewed at a public hearing. The board attached the site plan referenced in the motion — titled in staff materials as “Proposed Site Plan 8 Sandridge Road, Nantucket, Mass,” dated 04/14/2025 — as Exhibit A and required the stamped HDC plan as Exhibit B.

After reading conditions into the record, a board member moved to approve “with the conditions you just read.” The motion was made by Alisa (board member), seconded by John (board member) and carried 5-0.

Next steps and file requirements: the board instructed the applicant to submit the stamped, approved HDC certificate/plan and to note on the site plan that mechanical equipment will be located in the crawl space outside the 20-foot setback.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve special permit for swimming pool and spa at 8 Sandwich Road — mover: Alisa; second: John; vote: 5-0 in favor; outcome: approved.