HDC approves new house, garage and outbuildings at Pochik drive; conditions include vegetation maintenance to preserve lack of visibility

The Nantucket Historic District Commission approved a multi-structure application for a property on Pochik (Surfside area), including a new main house, one-story garage, shed, office and a two-story gym building, along with a pool and pergola in the rear. Commissioners repeatedly cited lack of visibility from the public way — because Pochik ends and the private driveway and heavy vegetation screen the site — as a central factor in their decisions.

Applicant representatives presented winter photographs and renderings to show “worst-case” visibility, arguing that heavy vegetation and neighboring parcels prevent public views of the new buildings. The design team described the proposal as a pavilion-style plan with most volumes low and set far back; the highest ridge was noted as 28 feet for the main structure. Commissioners raised concerns about fenestration scale, flat roofs and contemporary details that would not typically be approved in a visible location, but several members said past precedent supports approvals when visibility is minimal.

Ray moved to approve the principal house and all accessory structures subject to a condition that existing vegetation be maintained or supplemented so the lack of public visibility remains at the time of inspection and thereafter. The motion carried (recorded opposition on some items during debate but final tally carried). Subsequent motions approved the garage, shed, office, gym and pool, each with the same vegetation-maintenance condition noted in the COAs.

For administrative clarity, the commission also approved the pool and a small pergola in the rear with the same condition to preserve screening. Staff and commissioners noted applicants will be expected to meet standard COA inspection requirements and that final landscaping details would be monitored during inspections to ensure the screening is sustained.