The planning board is pondering the expansion of commercial zones, residential zone restrictions, accessory dwelling requirements and regulations on short-term rental properties, among other changes.
The Oak Bluffs planning board will be holding several special meetings this month to discuss potential changes to a number of zoning bylaws.
The board is pondering the expansion of commercial zones, residential zone restrictions, accessory dwelling requirements and regulations on short-term rental properties, among other changes.
Oak Bluffs residents are encouraged to attend the meetings, said planning board chair Ewell Hopkins. Zoning amendments with the most public support will be drafted into warrant articles at the end of the year and recommended for next year’s annual town meeting.
“It’s time to really look at the zoning that’s currently in place,” said Mr. Hopkins. “A lot of it’s dated, and some people may like what it is and some people may say it’s time to make a change.”
Over the summer, the board deployed working groups made up of Island volunteers to survey residents and identify the town’s most pressing zoning issues. The upcoming meetings provide people with an opportunity to share more of their concerns and get clarification on any existing bylaws, said Mr. Hopkins.
“I’m hoping that people come to these and get mad and ask, you know, ‘what the heck is going on?’” said Mr. Hopkins. “I’m hoping it stirs up discussion and we’ll be there to inform them. When these things go to town meeting in April, it will require a supermajority, so we need to include everyone right now.”
Residential and commercial zoning has been a hot topic among Island leaders. Several towns have been eyeing tightening regulations around fractional ownership and large events at residential properties have drawn the ire of residents.
There are only two commercial zones in Oak Bluffs, said Mr. Hopkins, which limits real estate options for new businesses and encourages people to use residential homes for commercial purposes. The board is considering creating additional commercial zones or altering current bylaws to make business operations less restrictive.
“For instance, if you were a newly-certified veterinarian… and you wanted to move to Martha’s Vineyard and start your practice in an office and not out of your home, you have two streets where you can do that in Oak Bluffs,” said Mr. Hopkins. “Are folks okay with that? That’s what we’re hoping to find out.”
For a planning board meeting schedule and full list of proposed zoning topics, visit the town's website.
Comments
Recent events have shown this
Bob OBRecent events have shown this to be an activist planning board whose actions merit our scrutiny. Please turn out for these meetings, and listen very carefully to what is being proposed. These types of zoning changes can have a significant impact on your quality of life. I can not remember such a sweeping slate of changes to our zoning bylaws ever being proposed. Is this the right time, and are these the right people to be proposing such changes?
Who voted for these people?
Albert GosnoldWho voted for these people?
Wholeheartedly agree with
Susan Desmarais Oak BluffsWholeheartedly agree with previous commenter, Bob from OB. This process has been swift, exclusionary in some ways, while also allowing input from out of town people with vested business interests. All of this illustrates the need for the public to pay close attention and add their voices. Some proposed will drastically change our town in regrettable ways. Increased noise, light, air and water pollution to name a few.
Wow! All Oak Bluffs seasonal
Mike-Concerned Citizen OBWow! All Oak Bluffs seasonal and year round residents should review the Agenda, and attend the meetings. This looks like a drastic restructuring and restricting of Homeowners Rights. They should be looking at adopting options like CA SB-9 to help out. Does Interval mean Airbnb, VRBO, etc? I would also assume this would have to be voted on.
Won't be long before the
Charlie Callahan So Boston/EdgartownWon't be long before the Vineyard is like Revere Beach used to be.
These proposed changes will
Zoned out OBThese proposed changes will have devastating effects to our neighborhoods and to our economy. In one breath, a bylaw change says let’s not commercialize residential neighborhoods and then the next bylaw makes residential property able to be rented commercially for home businesses. Tenants being able to get business permits in residential districts will drastically impact the quality of life for the residents of those neighborhoods. The idea to quietly attempt to eliminate short term rentals the lifeblood of the vineyard economy is shameful. Attempting to call forming an LLC. A corporate takeover of our neighborhoods is a pathetic, misrepresentation and gross attempt a manipulation. If you want to try to eliminate short term rentals, take it head on once and for all, and let the taxpayers tell you no just like Nantucket did. Let’s start holding the business owners accountable for housing their staff and put housing for municipal employees on the tax rate. How do planning board members like a hotel owner create bylaws that limit short term rentals and how does another planning board member who earns their living brokering short term rentals participate?
I don’t like this. I will be
Jim OBI don’t like this. I will be sure to attend every meeting…. The Towns love the lodging tax and who knows where the millions of dollars go?? I sure don’t… I think the short term tax has had a bad effect on the rental market over all. Which effect all aspects of our economy.
As someone who tried to keep
Susan of OB CTAs someone who tried to keep the family cottage I the family since 1936, but had to sell, given pre-COVID rentals and short-term rental changes, and whose cottage was across the street from housing for a major hotel in the town......a less than optimal experience for my renters, it is my fervent hope that MANY thoughtful and pragmatic people attend these hearings and ASK questions and clarifications. Our small piece of heaven (or what is left of it) needs YOU!
The ones with the money know
Charlie Callahan So Boston edgartownThe ones with the money know who to get in their pockets.Nothing is gonna change that.
Some homeowners don’t have
Chip Coblyn OBSome homeowners don’t have the documents being discussed. Where can we access them?
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