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Applicant withdraws variance request for 11 North Water Street after board questions about neighborhood precedent
Summary
Attorney for the Brass Lantern Guest House withdrew the special-permit component of its application after the ZBA indicated it was unlikely to approve a variance to increase allowable ground cover from 40% to about 49.6%. The continuance and debate centered on whether a lapsed 2016 permit or zoning‑map boundaries justify relief.
The Town of Nantucket Zoning Board of Appeals heard an extended presentation Jan. 9 from Attorney Sarah Alger seeking a variance and renewed special permit for 11 North Water Street, the Brass Lantern guest house. After questioning from members and lengthy public comment, the applicant withdrew the special-permit portion and then asked to withdraw the variance application without prejudice.
Attorney Alger told the board the owners sought to revive a prior plan approved by the Planning Board in 2016 and argued the lot is large and abuts the Commercial Downtown (CDT) district. She said the 2019 zoning change that reduced allowable ground cover in the RoH district from 50% to 40% left the property unable to proceed under a special permit, because the proposed work would raise ground cover from roughly 38% to about 49.6%.
Board members pressed whether the change in the bylaw justified a variance and whether approving a roughly 28–30% increase in ground cover on a central in‑town lot would set a precedent island‑wide. Several members said they had historically denied more substantial variances and were “hard pressed” to find the variance standards met. Neighbors said additional bulk would change the historic residential character of North Water Street and would displace curbside parking.
After public comment and a short discussion, the applicant asked to withdraw the application without prejudice. The board voted to allow the withdrawal, with the clerk recording an aye vote for five members present in the room.
Attorney Alger said the owners will consider their options, including reapplying or pursuing planning‑board or bylaw changes.
No variance was approved and no permit was issued at the Jan. 9 meeting.
