Conservation commission approves minor modification for cantilevered garage overhang at 224 Poultice Road amid calls to ‘hold the line’ on buffer rules

The Nantucket Conservation Commission approved a minor modification on June 5 allowing a cantilevered roof overhang that projects 1.7 square feet into the 50-foot buffer at 224 Poultice Road (Yellow Dog Nominee Trust). The modification was approved after debate about whether cantilevered, non‑ground‑touching structures should be treated as “no build” buffer incursions.

Brian Madden, representing the applicant, described the work as a minimal cantilever with no structural supports touching the ground in the buffer. “The northeast side of the garage dwelling, there's a roof overhang that extends, minimally by 1.7 square feet into the 50 foot buffer zone, but that's cantilevered,” Madden said, and asked the commission to approve a minor modification rather than require a waiver.

Commissioner Arjun Turcotte urged the commission to “keep the things black and white” and to interpret the no‑build buffer strictly. “This is a good example of creep that we are trying to avoid… we set these buffer zones,” he said. Other commissioners, including Mike Mizzarelli and Linda Williams, supported approval because the overhang did not touch the ground and posed no expected wetland impact.

By roll call the commission recorded five affirmative votes, one opposed (RJ Turcotte), and one abstention (Chair Seth Engelberg). The commission’s chair noted that the discussion has returned multiple times over the years and the vote reflects a split but pragmatic outcome.

Ending: The commission approved the minor modification; staff will record the decision and proceed with the administrative filing required for the modified plan.