<p>Neighbors, Island environmental leaders and others turned out last week to raise strong objections to a large subdivision planned for Meetinghouse Way.</p>
Neighbors, Island environmental leaders and others turned out in force last week to raise strong objections to a large subdivision planned for Meeting House Way in Edgartown.
Engineer Doug Hoehn (left) and attorney Sean Murphy representing the developer.
Engineer Doug Hoehn (left) and attorney Sean Murphy representing the developer.
“Who stands to benefit outside of a small number of people? The environment and community lose out on this,” said Jeffrey Agnoli, a neighbor in the wooded rural area where the subdivision is planned.
The comment came during a hearing before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission last Thursday night. The plan for 34 market-rate homes on 54 acres situated between Meetinghouse and Meshacket is under review as a development of regional impact (DRI).
The applicants are a pair of developers based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Both principals in a limited liability company, Douglas K. Anderson and Richard G. Matthews bought the undeveloped land in June 2017 for $6.6 million. Mr. Anderson attended the hearing along with his representatives, Island attorney Sean Murphy and civil engineer Doug Hoehn.
The plan for Meetinghouse Place calls for creating three clusters of buildable lots. Homes would be limited to 5,000 square feet with no freestanding guest houses although bedrooms would be allowed over garages. The development would have two entrances, one off Meshacket and one off Meetinghouse Way. The development would use town water and town sewer. Three ancient ways cross the property. Between 16 and 17 acres is listed as habitat for the rare imperial moth under the state Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Developers have offered to preserve some rare habitat on the site and contribute funding for offsite research. They are also proposing a sizable contribution to affordable housing: $1.11 million paid out in three installments to the Edgartown affordable housing committee plus one per cent of the sale price on individual lots that would go to the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority.
“It’s probably the most significant affordable housing donation that we’ve ever been involved in,” said Mr. Anderson who made brief remarks at the hearing.
A commission staff analysis has identified habitat loss and a strain on overburdened town water and wastewater infrastructure as key issues.
Developer Douglas Anderson.
Developer Douglas Anderson.
Commission water quality planner Sheri Casseau said even though the project plans to connect to the town wastewater facility, it would add significant amounts of nitrogen to the overloaded watershed for the Edgartown Great Pond. She estimated that the property would produce 138 kilograms of nitrogen per liter per year, well above the 76-kilogram limit set by the MVC.
Pio Lombardo, an environmental consultant hired by the developer, countered that analysis, saying that nitrogen could fall to nearly 50 per cent below the limit if developers build an onsite well and permeable reactive barrier.
Commissioners will hire an independent consultant to review both evaluations, at the expense of the developer. “Your numbers and his numbers are about as far away as they can be,” commission chairman Douglas Sederholm observed following the presentation by Ms. Casseau and Mr. Lombardo.
Public comment centered mostly on environmental impacts.
“I’m here to speak for the water,” said Emily Reddington, executive director of the Edgartown Great Pond Foundation. “We’ve made incredible progress as a community reducing nitrogen. If you add any nitrogen . . . it can throw off the progress we’ve already made.”
Luanne Johnson, a wildlife biologist and executive director for BioDiversity Works, said in addition to the imperial moth, with its pitch pine forest the property also likely harbors colonies of rare Northern long-eared bats.
“If turning this Island into the mainland isn’t enough to make you deny this proposal . . . I ask you to think of the wildlife that have lost a tremendous amount on this Island,” Ms. Johnson told the commission.
Chandler Lincoln, a neighbor, said the development could be a tipping point.
“Extinction occurs one species at time,” he said.
James Athearn, whose family owns Morning Glory Farm off Meshacket Road and who formerly served on the commission, urged members to reject the plan.
“It’s the job of this commission to preserve and protect [Martha’s Vineyard],” Mr. Athearn said. “So do your job and we’ll all be as proud of you as we are of the Patriots.”
The hearing was continued to March 7.
Comments
I guess the moths moved
edg taxpayer EdgI guess the moths moved there when all those houses were jammed into Island Grove on 1/2 acre lots. The nitrogen concern is a non-issue. If the wastewater treatment plant stopped accepting loads of concentrated septic waste in our plant from other towns, it would reduce the amount of nitrogen released from the plant. Lightly used homes owned by seasonal residents 3 months of the year are insignificant with respect to nitrogen load. I'd venture that spreading manure on a farm field causes more nitrogen to find its way into the pond than these proposed seasonal homes.
The Vineyard Golf Club got
John EdgartownThe Vineyard Golf Club got their way in spite of the moth. The owners of these homes will bring many jobs to contractors. The owners of these homes will spend lots of money at Morning Glory & many other Island businesses. SSA built bigger boats to bring more vehicles. This neighborhood fits into the trend on MV. "NOT IN MY BACKYARD" just doesn't cut it. Approve this project and move on!
MV Golf preceded all the moth
Andres EdgartownMV Golf preceded all the moth drama
when the "affordable" housing
mike edgartownwhen the "affordable" housing crowd wants to plow land, and cut trees, there is no mention of the endangered moth, or the long eared bat?
but when a developer wants to do it, all that comes into play, in order to stop it.
could this be a double standard?
On the contrary, the proposed
Mark HessOn the contrary, the proposed "Meshacket Affordable Housing Project" has had to design the project around moth habitat and has worked closely with the folks at National Heritage to come up with a suitable plan.
Too many people on this
Skate Sharpener Smith HollowToo many people on this Island as is, especially in summer. This is exactly what we do not need. More houses built, what will probably be mostly summer rentals. And you might as well kill Edgartown Great Pond. I can only imagine the green algae plumes that will be in here after this is built. I hope the Commission has some b..ls and votes this down, but unfortunately that will just delay the inevitable outcome because the developers will eventually do some type of building on the land that will drain nitrogen into Edgartown Great Pond.
You make valid points, Skate
Captain, Mass Maritime South KatamaYou make valid points, Skate Sharpener. I am still curious how that solar farm was built behind Smith Hollow without disturbing the "moth habitat".
Get your facts straight. The
Sandy Up islandGet your facts straight. The project as designed is net ZERO.
The subdivision is not only Net Zero but is taking out more nitrogen than they or putting in by at least 40%-50% (below net zero). That means it is taking out your nitrogen you are putting in the pond. This is exemplary and laudable. Would be a shame not to approve this. The island needs more responsible projects like this. It will take 5-10 years to sell these homes and this is not a large project. It is a responsible project and density is low.
As part of the Island Plan
Tim Boland West TisburyAs part of the Island Plan process in 2006, many of us lamented that the Island would should be seriously concerned by "death by a thousand cuts." It appears in recent years and starkly in our future, that this type of large development is a dagger. A project that in size and scope is a real game changer in its aftermath to both large natural landscapes (habitat) and the Edgartown Great Pond. As Jim Athearn puts for, preserve and protect Martha's Vineyard!
If this goes on to pass
Darrell King Edgartown/BelmontIf this goes on to pass muster, which it likely will, at the very least it should be made a requirement to build each unit to be Net Zero (i.e., produce as much energy as it uses, fossil-free) and to set aside a reasonable number of units as affordable housing. That's the VERY least.
This and just about every
JAR NY/MVThis and just about every major human caused problem emanates or is exasperated by overpopulation.
I think MV is near or beyond it’s population peak from most people’s sense of quality of life.
A building moratorium should be contemplated.
I'm sure you would not have
edgartown resident edgartownI'm sure you would not have suggested a moratorium until you were safely in your house.
The MVC commission has been
Island Resident since 1972 All IslandThe MVC commission has been around for 40 years. One would think they would have formulated energy guidelines for developments and new homes that would be economical and environmental. Trophy homes and their swimming pools consume enormous amounts of energy and produces carbon that raises all our utility rates. At the very least, reduce the number of homes to maybe 20, not 35.
NO NO no how about
B A Hiller [email protected]NO NO no how about existing Inns, homes, B & B's that only rich Folk can afford? How about quid pro quo for our Homeless, under housed and hurting folks living from Paycheck to paycheck all year long that are our infrastructure and clean our homes, work @ S & S, the SSA, coffee shops, restaurants, TEACH and educate our Children? The folks who work at Councils on Aging, Libraries and can barely stay afloat? HHHmmmmmm inquiring minds wish to know how they will be able to continue to live here on our "golden special isle, that honours Farmers, teachers, fisherman, and the backbone of our Culture that has kept this island around since the 1600's" Bless all the wonderful musicians, Pulitzer Prize winning authors, Academy Award winning directors and Actors, or Inn keepers who have Mega bucks, however, how 'bout us worker bees or those of US that move off island, to become re-educated and skilled SO that we can afford to call MVI "home"? Thank you. Please keep the dream of what and Who we are within grasp of All of us, even Washashores.
Let them build the homes the
WashAbhorred EdgartownLet them build the homes the Island needs the tax base. Has anyone noticed that Edgartown's taxes have almost doubled in recent years? All of those people retiring from the school, police, town, etc are going to be taking down hefty pensions and benefits. The yellow house, the new transfer plant, the new library, the athletic fields, the repairs to the high school, and all of the other public expenditures have to be paid for.
Better we share the burden with homes being used a couple of months a year than continuing large tax increases that will eventually chase every middle-class homeowner out of Edgartown.
When have you seen taxes ever
Island Homeowner edgartownWhen have you seen taxes ever decrease? If a town gets more revenue, they just spend it.
Why do you think the tax rate
WashAbhorred EdgartownWhy do you think the tax rate in Edgartown is under $4.00 per thousand and the tax rate in a Lenox, MA (fairly similar town) is more than $12.00 per thousand...with commercial rates at $15/thousand? Lenox has some seasonal homes, and tourism - Edgartown has a lot more. Seasonal homeowners are an economic gift. They don't use many services, don't have kids in the schools. Pay full sewage rates, and have to hire caretakers.
Sadly, though - maybe you're right there's no hope.
Thanks for saying the obvious
Mark EdgartownThanks for saying the obvious and that is projects like this pay lots of taxes and take little services from the island. This is a good project and a good deal for our community. Why is it that NIMBY people are the first to scream no more. Zero growth drives home prices way up and makes housing completely unaffordable and unattainable. This is smart development and should be encouraged and approved. The commission needs to have the guts to stand up for projects and landowners rights and approve his project. We need the taxes, the jobs and the contributions that this brings to the island. This is a project that should be approved. By the way the affordable housing contributions the builder is contributing is huge and would help the solve the island affordable housing issues. Let’s not lose these positive contributions.
Some may think the jobs a new
Edgartown Homeowner EdgartownSome may think the jobs a new development creates is an Irlsnd benefit. The other side is those that live here can not get a trade person at a reasonable price as they are all working on trophy homes for high pay.
Not sure job creation is a
Andres EdgartownNot sure job creation is a valid argument. If anyone is really paying attention, they will see more and more day-commuters coming over on the ferry for construction jobs.
This is exactly the wrong
Katama Resident KatamaThis is exactly the wrong kind of development for the island. And why did the project's lawyer get to approve their sewer connections?
This is exactly the right
Mark EdgartownThis is exactly the right kind of project for the island. These are not Large homes at 4000 SF. And far smaller than most Katama homes. The lawyer has no input on connections and doesn’t vote.
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