Conservation commissioners continue Ripley waiver request for 92 Washington Street after debate over footprint and flood risk

Nantucket — The Nantucket Conservation Commission on Oct. 23 continued consideration of a waiver request for a proposed house and outbuildings at 92 Washington Street after commissioners expressed concern about a roughly 40% increase in total building footprint, potential effects on buffer-zone functions and coastal-flood risk.

The project team, represented by Jack Vaccaro of Epsilon Associates and architect Leo Wilson, described a design that raises and relocates portions of the house to improve flood resiliency while increasing living area. Property owner Tom Ripley told the commission the design accommodates his family’s needs, including two adult children with special needs who will live with him. “I have 2 special needs daughters, identical twin girls that have autism,” Ripley said during public comment, and said the plan reflects those household needs.

Commissioners and the Coastal Resilience Advisory Committee raised concerns about the proposed scale and location of new construction near the bulkhead. Tim (Conservation commissioner / CRAC representative) summarized the advisory committee’s review and recommendations, noting the property lies in a “higher moderate coastal risk area” in the town’s Coastal…