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Planning board approves reduced outdoor seating, requires screening and manager contact for Easy Street restaurant
Summary
The Planning Board approved an outdoor seating plan for an Easy Street restaurant with conditions including removal of some tables, a gate or screening near trash receptacles, resurfacing at a driveway junction and a management phone number; the board will revisit operations next spring.
The Nantucket Planning Board voted unanimously May 15 to approve an outdoor seating plan for the Easy Street restaurant at 301 Easy Street with conditions that reduce seating and add operational controls.
Board members said the proposal, which the applicant revised to retain 40 seats outside and eliminate seating on the east side, raised accessibility and public‑space concerns that the board wanted addressed before full implementation.
Applicant Patrick (identified in the hearing) told the board, “We are only at this point requesting the 40. We've completely eliminated the seating from that area to the East,” and said the restaurant uses OpenTable so customers can wait off‑site. Supporters, including restaurateur John Keane, spoke in favor of the business. Neighbors and board members raised concerns about narrow walkways, proximity to the Steamship Authority driveway and waste handling.
The board's conditions, stated during the motion on the merits, require: removal of two 4‑top tables along Easy Street (those locations must be replaced with two 2‑tops); elimination of the small triangular table area near the driveway; installation of a screen or gate to separate the proposed waiting area from trash receptacles and the ice machine; repair or resurfacing of the driveway/junction area adjacent to Steamship Authority property; submission of a revised plan without illustrative furnishings for the administrative record; and a management plan that includes a 24/7 on‑site management phone number for complaints and operational issues. The board also requested staff to revisit operations next spring to evaluate impacts.
During the hearing, Jeff Folger, who presented on behalf of the applicant team, noted delivery and trash schedules had been adjusted to early morning and that the applicant removed a previously proposed dumpster location. Folger confirmed the applicant will resurface the small driveway area and is prepared to provide a movable barrier or gate to limit public access to service equipment.
Board members repeatedly emphasized compliance with federal and local accessibility and health rules. One member summarized the board's position before the vote: the two tables closest to the Steamship Authority frontage must be removed; the triangular seating area is removed; the Easy Street side will be limited to two‑tops; and the applicant must submit revised plans and a management phone number. Joe Topham made the motion to approve the application with the staff‑recommended findings and the additional conditions described; John Kitchener seconded. The vote was unanimous.
The board’s approval covers land‑use permission under local zoning procedures only. The applicant remains subject to health and fire code inspections and any licensing required by town or state agencies.
