Government
An up-Island school committee meeting to discuss and approve the annual budget Monday spilled into a heartfelt discussion about security in the public schools following the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., last week.
A small but vocal group of residents, builders, realtors and members of town land use boards turned out to express their opinions this week on a proposed Chilmark bylaw that would regulate house size. Some quibbled over specifics of the plan, while others argued that the proposed regulation is not strict enough. The town planning board presented the latest version of the much-debated bylaw at a public hearing held Monday night.
After heated comments from community members about potential regulation of “community character” — and lots of debate within the commission itself — the Martha’s Vineyard Commission last week approved changes to its checklist of criteria for developments of regional impact.
After nearly a year of discussions, the Chilmark planning board will hold the first public hearing Monday night on a proposed bylaw to regulate house size.
The draft bylaw calls for two thresholds of regulation. Residential building projects between 3,500 and 5,500 square feet per first acre would require special permits from the zoning board of appeals. Total construction would be capped at 5,500 square feet per first acre.
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission Thursday approved changes to a 22-year-old decision regarding a Chappaquiddick subdivision, removing an obstacle to possible relocation of the Schifter house.
In 1990, the MVC approved O. Stevens Leland Jr. and Timothy Leland’s application to divide a 27-acre parcel of land adjacent to Poucha Pond into a four-lot subdivision.
One lot was deeded to O. Stevens Leland, who built a house there in 2001.
Cong. William Keating appealed directly to the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard this week to expedite the transfer of ownership of the Gay Head Light, which must be moved soon due to rapid erosion at the Gay Head Cliffs.
In a letter to Adml. Robert J. Papp Jr. yesterday, Mr. Keating urged the Coast Guard to declare the lighthouse as excess property.