Vineyard Haven Taqueria Approved by MVC

Louisa Hufstader Monday, February 13 2023 - 8:06am

A planned Mexican restaurant at the former Stone Bank property in Vineyard Haven has won approval from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, and now heads to the Tisbury planning board for a 6 p.m. public hearing Wednesday.

The commission was split 7-3 in its Feb. 9 decision, with Ben Robinson, Clarence "Trip" Barnes, Ernest Thomas, Brian Smith, Fred Hancock and chair Joan Malkin voting in favor of allowing a 70-seat outdoor, seasonal eatery at the one-acre site where Santander Bank operated until 2017.

The vote allows developer Sam Dunn to modify his original MVC approval. The commission initially gave its blessing in 2021 for plans to create residential and office condominiums on the property where phonograph magnate William Barry Owen built his fieldstone bank in 1905.

Mr. Dunn needed to come back before the commission for the restaurant proposal.

The MVC’s approval followed a protracted public hearing that began in December and saw several continuances as commissioners and abutters probed Mr. Dunn’s plans for the restaurant, which is to be owned and operated by seasonal Island resident and Boston restaurateur Patrick Lyons.

Key points of concern for the commission included wastewater, traffic and protecting the public’s longtime right to walk through the property from Main street to Union street.

When Mr. Dunn’s original project was approved a year and a half ago, the Tisbury wastewater plant did not have the capacity for an additional restaurant at the site. But over the past year, the town water department has sealed leaks and cracked down on illicit sewer connections, freeing up more than enough flow to accommodate the restaurant, department head Jared Meader testified in December.

With no customer parking for the restaurant, commissioners agreed that it likely would worsen downtown traffic. But those voting in its favor said the economic benefit of the business outweighs potential traffic impacts.

“A bustling downtown is a benefit to everybody,” Mr. Robinson said.

He also noted that the public right of way remains in Mr. Dunn’s plans for the site.

“We’ve preserved the historic walking pattern through here,” Mr. Robinson said.

The MVC imposed some conditions on the approval, including a prohibition against propane heaters, but left matters of noise, lighting, business hours and alcohol service to Tisbury officials.

“The MVC doesn’t need to be the fun police,” Mr. Smith said. “Let’s leave it up to the towns.”

Also on Feb. 9, the commission closed its hearing on Big Sky Tents’ application to construct a 27,000-square-foot building at the airport business park and reopened a public hearing on the proposed Stillpoint Meadows humanities education center in West Tisbury.

The Stillpoint hearing will continue March 9, the commission’s next meeting date.

Comments

The MVC has a constant

gina Menemsha/NYC

The MVC has a constant history of approving all of Mr. Dunn's projects regardless of how inappropriate they may be. The MVC just made the local seagulls very happy..

I don't have a problem with a

School's Out Tisbury

I don't have a problem with a reasonably priced restaurant moving in there, so it may be inappropriate to you but I'm happy having this option to walk to. And what's wrong with happy seagulls -- are your gulls in Menemsha unhappy?

Unless you detail how this

Rational Person Oak Bluffs

Unless you detail how this project is inappropriate in your mind then how does the conversation move forward? Seems like a commercial venture in a downtown commercial area would seem appropriate.

Agree. This is a commercial

Michael Vineyard Haven

Agree. This is a commercial district and having another dining option in town is a plus so long as they are good neighbors.

I’m sure this is an

Islander MV

I’m sure this is an enterprise that is solely economic, that’s business. Hopefully the new owner will attempt to be some kind of a vague steward of what was once an actually historic spot. Nowadays, it will serve mexican food to tourists. Literally that is what the history of this spot now will be — historic Vineyard Haven to mexican fast food. Could have been something a lot classier like a nice café that could double as an arts center and acted as a year-round anchor of a kind.

How many art centers does

Liz Tisbury

How many art centers does this island need? Look at the abandoned and disgraceful Island theater on Circuit Ave in OB as to what happens when buildings are abandoned. Or the old Variety Store in OB that was collapsing because it sat empty for decades before it was just recently bulldozed. When Santander moved in did that keep the brick building historic or would you agree it changed the original character to be a bank? And then no one else stepped up to do anything when Santander no longer wanted it, except as part of this proposal. Should it go into disrepair like the building S&S was recently forced to knock down next door? There are too many examples of properties that turn into blights and eyesores on this island. I'm happy this location will have a new life.

Didn't take long. I was

Vicki Divoll Chilmark

Didn't take long. I was waiting for a comment like this and here it is: "Classier like a nice cafe" versus "historic Vineyard Haven to Mexican fast food." I bet this person does not even realize the xenophobic racist stuff coming out of his/her mouth.

I guess I have to spell it out: America is a melting pot with lots of different people from lots of different places. (I think we learned that in kindergarten.) We are lucky to have a wide variety of delicious foods from all these wonderful cultures to enjoy. Oh, and Vineyard Haven is part of America. Oh, and the "tourists" you disdain keep the economy of the island going. Oh, and they might enjoy the wide variety of food offered.

I, for one, think we have more than enough "nice cafes." Cannot wait for the new Mexican restaurant!! Islanders and tourists will love it!!

What a bizarre response to

Islander MV

What a bizarre response to call “historic Vineyard Haven to mexican fast food” xenophobic, racist, etc. Would you rather I change it to Taco Bell or Wendy’s? I think the comment is pretty sensitive — a sign of the times. It’s astonishing you can’t talk about Mexican fast food — any kind of fast food — that will obviously be as far from delicious authentic Mexican and owned by what amount to a corporate developer — without coming up against some kind of weird accusation — it’s outrageous. And I vote the same way you do, no question. Please rethink this kind of thing. Fast food in an area that was once a historic part of Vineyard Haven? The Thomas Chase (part Airbnb today) is right across the street.

You realize this was a drive

Nick Dean Oak Bluffs

You realize this was a drive through bank previously, right?!? This is so rich.

Just burgers and maybe a

Rick Meadows Vineyard Haven

Just burgers and maybe a little mac and cheese for you huh? What Vineyard Haven is missing is exactly what is being provided - variety. Tourists will love it, so will I, and many people I know. I will enjoy a walk up to town and have an ever expanding choice of sit down eateries, and possible, just possible that VH will become a magnet away from other parts of the island, and become a legitimate choice for tourists and maybe even a few locals from the other side of the island. Now let's get someone to open up an Indian place, Vietnamese or a French bakery. VH could become known as an ethnic food destination for all, tourist and local alike. Now if only the owners of the old Bowl and Board would become better landlords and restauranteurs would be willing to transform that place into a fine dining experience.

How much more congestion can

Bee West Tisbury

How much more congestion can VH handle?!

True it could have been a

Charlie Callahan So Boston/Edgartown

True it could have been a nice quaint cafe' that charges 1/2 a hundred for a burger and fries like some of the other clip joints

Charlie, all do respect have

Ted Edgartown

Charlie, all do respect have you shopped a grocery store lately or looked at your utility bills? Inflation is out of control in all areas. Restaurants are struggling and have to raise their prices.
I am amazed when people complain about what a restaurant is charging but don’t look at why we have this inflation…. Meanwhile we all pay at the pump, groceries, utilities you name it….

I support the new restaurant

Christine Senge

I support the new restaurant as long as Mr. Lyon is committed to providing Mexican food that is authentic & of quality. There are several taco restaurants on the island that are serving cheese-smothered red-sauced cliches of Mexican food. Provide authentic moles & tomatillo sauces, for example.

Yes, exactly. Some nice moles

David VH

Yes, exactly. Some nice moles or other authentic Oaxacan cuisine would be greatly appreciated.

Another well designed gift to

Anne VINEYARD HAVEN

Another well designed gift to island life from Sam Dunn.
Don't we love his film theatre and bowling alley -- thoughtful and beautifully designed gathering places for all of us, on and off season?

This is a good thing… we need

Tom VH

This is a good thing… we need more restaurants and this bring business to VH.
We don’t have a good Mexican restaurant in Town. Welcome!

But do we really need ANOTHER

Pearl WT

But do we really need ANOTHER taco place?!! I'm bored to tears of the food here.

Yes, we don’t have any good

Rick OB

Yes, we don’t have any good Mexican restaurants on the island. This is a good thing. More options!

Come for the comments stay

JD Oak Bluffs

Come for the comments stay for the Quesadillas.
Racism cloaked in a classist statement from a pearl clutching elite, people upset that the food will be cheap and not have enough art.
Mexican food now is a a source of traffic congestion. You people are hilarious,
I for one am happy for cheap Mexican food, it's an option for all and guess what, not everyone on the island is a millionaire but heck they shouldn't be allowed into VH unless they are providing a service for the 1%'ers.

You’re all missing the best

Gloss it over Vineyard Haven

You’re all missing the best part of all your comments. You can actually debate about food in VH thanks to the town removing the silly food requirement and giving the ability to have a drink in the 21st century.

That allows people like Entrepreneurs and Restauranteurs to do business in town.

Keep debating and commenting about the type of food in VH, it was a discussion missing for years! No longer.

MV needs a great torta!!!

Ken Rusczyk Oak Bluffs

MV needs a great torta!!! Hopefully we get one.

Can Town of Tisbury require

Curious WT

Can Town of Tisbury require year-round operation as a condition of license?

Hope so.

Great! I hope the MVC can

Annie West Tisbury

Great! I hope the MVC can hold the owner accountable for the externalities that will affect our island at the cost of turning the owner a profit: paying employees well, supporting other local businesses (e.g. buying local foods, hiring local talent), composting, and/or attempting to minimize landfill waste. Just a plea for consideration!

I could be mistaken but part