The select board got a first glimpse of a new bylaw that would limit private residences to two social events exceeding 50 people per week and no more than five events per month, enforceable by town police and punishable by a $300 fine.
Edgartown is all partied out.
The Edgartown select board Monday got a first glimpse at a new proposed bylaw designed to curb large social events at private residences. The bylaw, drafted by the town’s building inspector, comes after one home on Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, known as the Uncle Nearest House, held up traffic and racked up more than a dozen complaints during a three-week period this summer.
The regulation would limit private residences to two social events exceeding 50 people per week and no more than five events per month, enforceable by town police and punishable by a $300 fine.
“This is an attempt at some form of regulation as our town gets busier,” Reade Milne, the Edgartown building inspector, told the select board Monday. She also noted she had received a number of complaints from concerned residents on the issue.
The select board voted to set a Jan. 8 public hearing on whether to send the general bylaw to town meeting this spring.
The bylaw would not apply to private residences being rented as event venues or other commercial uses, she added, as there are other mechanisms to regulate such uses.
“This is just if Margaret throws wild parties five nights a week,” Ms. Milne said.
Last week, the town’s zoning bylaw review committee rejected a proposal to draft similar language as a zoning bylaw, on grounds that it would be too difficult to enforce. Zoning bylaws, unlike general bylaws, are only enforceable through the town building inspector.
However, Ms. Milne said that a zoning bylaw would allow the town to give out special permits for additional events should they want that flexibility. Currently, the language does not allow for any exceptions.
Specifics aside, town administrator James Hagerty said the draft bylaw was a productive starting point for an increasingly pressing issue.
“This is a concern that has been raised very vocally,” he said. “I would consider it malfeasance by the town if it were not taken seriously.”
Comments
Two parties per week, five
Tommy EdgartownTwo parties per week, five per month. Really? That seems like a lot. These are suppose to be peaceful residential neighborhoods, not commercial zones.
It's summertime, for goodness
Billy EdgartownIt's summertime, for goodness sake. We have relatives, friends, neighbors, and co-workers visit all summer long. You think 5 parties a month in July and August is a lot?
It’s five parties exceeding
TommyIt’s five parties exceeding 50 people. Yes, I think that is a lot.
Yes, 5 parties a month that
Ted WTYes, 5 parties a month that have FIFTY or more guests would be a lot.
Each party exceeding 50
Chris D. EdgartownEach party exceeding 50 people? Yeah, that's a lot.
Punishable by a $300 fine
Cement Truck Driver Edgartown but used to be V.H.Punishable by a $300 fine like thats going to stop the wealthy from doing as they please
Thanks Fawn! You knew
Tiffany Wallace EdgartownThanks Fawn! You knew better - You are ruining it for the rest of us. There is enough going on in August with the film festival Illumination and the fireworks. You knew this was a no-no. Do your Uncle Nearest in the Hamptons!
$300 fine? Is supposed to be
Billy Vineyard$300 fine? Is supposed to be a deterrent?
There is no more Marthas
Charlie Callahan So Boston/edgartownThere is no more Marthas Vineyard. Everything is commercialized here and the place runs on alcohol,drugs and head meds.
Amen....the carrying capacity
Former Vineyard inhabitant Spain and BrazilAmen....the carrying capacity of the Island has been exceeded.As person who remembers the 70's through the 90's a formerly laid back island is now over occupied,over rated,overpriced ,sooner or later it will crash.
Gee don’t think a mere $ 300
Gina Menemsha/NYCGee don’t think a mere $ 300 fine would be much of a problem for a party earning $10,000+ per party perhaps increase parking limits/restrictions & required alcohol permits.
“This is just if Margaret
Bob OB“This is just if Margaret throws wild parties five nights a week,”.
But that's not what's happening at the property in question, or any other property in town. Why are you expending energy regulating things that are not happening, instead of addressing the actual issue here? This is a commercial enterprise using a home located in a residential zone as an event space. Preventing this sort of business use is the entire purpose of establishing residential zones. If the current by-laws don't adequately express the spirit and intent, then re-draft them until they do and fine the snot out of the owners until it stops. Don't mealy-mouth your way around these advertised and promoted commercial events by referring to them as "social events", as if they were some kid's birthday party.
Tommy is spot on!…a provision
Chuck EdgartownTommy is spot on!…a provision to allow that excessive number and size of events at a private residence is absurd. That is nothing more than having a problem you really don’t want to address and createing a bylaw which absolves you from facing the tough issue.
For all this ink and hot air.
BLLB Edg.For all this ink and hot air...a baby teeth solution? A $300 dollar fine, REALLY...The parking attendants make that in an afternoon...WAKE UP.
Not the leadership one would commend for re election or appointment.
Get serious, these money-ed, nouveau riche interests are steamrolling town officials from Lobsterville to Katama. They are connected,embedded, emboldened and without a STRONG pushback from objective, unsullied officials you can kiss MV's charm goodbye.
STOP the Hampt-ification of MV, save it be just like anywhere else-ville.
Tow the illegally parked cars
Amy EdgartownTow the illegally parked cars. That’ll likely be more of a deterrent than an extremely ridiculous “fine”
Yes! The regulation needs to
Steve P EdgartownYes! The regulation needs to directly address the insane traffic and parking issues that we saw with the Uncle parties. That was a nightmare for the neighborhood.
The $300 fine is a hilariously adorable and inconsequential amount that everyone will ignore.
You have to come up with a
David Oak BluffsYou have to come up with a better plan. This means weddings,political fundraisers or any fundraisers would fall under this. They have these town establishments closing down at 12:30 that stymie tax dollars from being made. These events bring REVENUE to a seasonal community. Charge an event fee. Mandate traffic control. Limit the hours of operation.I get you want to preserve the quaintness of the community but the summer brings lots of revenue for the entire island industry. Give people who want to host these events a Venue then..like the fairgrounds or a large park Like Waban park or an airfield any large space to host. You can't provide affordable housing for the people who work here that make under $75k and this is an issue for a $300 fine.
Unless zoning laws are
Carol EdgartownUnless zoning laws are enforced (amended if need be) to stop this commercial use of residential zones, this will continue to get out of hand. Why not? The people who search out these venues know it is easy to do whatever you want on MV, apparently, so MV it will be. We also need to tighten parking and liquor controls. We say we care about the environment, let's act like it. And, no variances to the zoning codes for every party planner, another sham.
How about a ban on gas leaf
Bob EdgartownHow about a ban on gas leaf blowers instead?
Add new comment