Planning board continues review of four‑lot mixed‑use subdivision at 4 Nancy Ann Lane after debate over waivers and connectivity

Paul Santos, representing the applicant, presented a definitive plan for a four‑lot subdivision at 4 Nancy Ann Lane that would create three mixed‑use lots and a roadway parcel in the town’s commercial neighborhood district.

Santos said the property sits in a DEP Zone 2 wellhead protection area and within the Nantucket Public Wellhead Recharge District, and that a certificate of water quality compliance from the local water company will be required prior to building permits. He described a stormwater design with infiltration and water‑quality measures for the roadway and individual roof recharge systems for each lot.

The applicant requested a set of standard waivers: reducing the paved travelway from 20 feet to 18 feet, narrowing the layout from 40 feet to 20 feet, allowing a hammer‑head turnaround in place of a standard cul‑de‑sac, and waivers for sidewalks, bike paths and street lights. The applicant provided a swept‑path analysis showing fire apparatus can enter, turn and exit the site; Mr. Santos said buildings will be sprinkled and a hydrant will be installed to satisfy fire‑safety requirements.

Board members asked for improvements and additional detail. Hillary Mayport, a Planning Board member, urged an hours‑of‑operation and noise plan for future commercial tenants and asked for a landscape/screening plan. Several members asked the applicant to pursue potential future easements that would create pedestrian or vehicular connectivity with adjoining Richmond properties and with the short, paved driveway that currently provides informal access to the state forest.

The town’s consulting engineer, Ed Pesci, reviewed drainage and stormwater comments in a staff memo; Mr. Santos said he had addressed many technical items and would submit revised plans and a response letter to the engineer for sign‑off. Board members said sign‑off from Pesci, a water‑quality certificate from the Water Company, and written confirmation of fire department review would be required before any building permits.

The Planning Board did not vote to approve the subdivision at the meeting and continued the item to the July 14 meeting to allow the applicant to revise plans and documentation on drainage, site landscaping, fire access, and potential cross‑parcel access easements.

Why it matters: The property is in a commercial zone near other developing parcels; the board’s decisions on waivers, stormwater design in a wellhead protection area, and whether to require future shared access will affect traffic circulation, public safety and groundwater protection in the area.