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Oak Bluffs allows limited downtown construction waivers with firm finish dates, approves parking-time changes
Summary
Select Board approved special waivers to the downtown building moratorium for three properties with required completion dates and coordinated oversight, and changed several short-term parking spaces from 15 to 30 minutes while discussing tow-zone enforcement.
The Oak Bluffs Select Board on June 9 approved special waivers to the town’s recently updated downtown building moratorium for three properties and voted to change several short‑term parking time limits downtown.
Building Commissioner Adam Petkus briefed the board on the moratorium boundaries and public‑safety reasons for limiting ongoing construction, saying the goal is to avoid water intrusion and ruined materials. Petkus said he will require written acknowledgement of moratorium conditions from applicants going forward and expects contractors and property owners to comply with time and safety restrictions.
The board approved three waivers: Union Chapel at 55 Narragansett Avenue (work allowed until June 10, 2026), 3 Uncas Avenue (work allowed until June 26, 2026, with the applicant agreeing to coordinate with Building Commissioner Petkus), and 43 Ocean Avenue (work allowed until June 26, 2026). Josh Cohen, speaking for the 3 Uncas project, said they were unaware the property fell in the moratorium area, described the scope of work and requested the extension; George Stamatos reiterated that the expansion was not intentional. The Parks Commission requested property owners at 43 Ocean Avenue repair and restore the adjacent park area.
Separately, the board approved changing short-term parking times on Kennebec Avenue and David Healey Way from 15 minutes to 30 minutes and applied a friendly amendment to include the 15‑minute spaces on Ocean Park. Police Chief Searle said marking downtown tow zones would allow immediate towing rather than waiting 72 hours in cases where vehicles ignore ticketing, and noted enforcement in downtown areas has increased.
Motion details: The moratorium waivers and parking-time changes passed on unanimous votes. Select Person William (Bill) Cleary asked whether end dates were achievable; Petkus said he has made his expectations clear to applicants and will monitor compliance.
What to watch next: The board signaled it will communicate moratorium rules to future permit applicants and consider bonds or written acknowledgment to ensure compliance.
