The Martha’s Vineyard Commission unanimously approved a major redevelopment plan at the site of the former Santander Bank in downtown Vineyard Haven, calling it innovative.
With rare swiftness, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission unanimously approved a major redevelopment plan at the site of the former Santander Bank in downtown Vineyard Haven, calling the 11-unit condominium and commercial complex an innovative use.
“This is a really creative, and positive, project for the location,” commissioner Linda Sibley said before the vote Thursday night.
Known as the Old Stone Bank development — named after the historic stone and terra-cotta tile Santander building on Vineyard Haven’s Main street — the project is being developed by architect Sam Dunn.
The mixed-use development includes the renovation of two existing buildings on the property and the construction of five additional structures for a total of 11 condominiums and six commercial units, stretching from Main street to the Vineyard Haven harbor. The project will include about 11,000 total square feet of residential and retail space surrounding footpaths and a courtyard in the middle of the long, T-shaped parcel.
One of the 11 units will be deed-restricted for affordable housing and listed for sale at just over $250,000. The other units will be marketed to empty nesters and priced between $600,000 and $1.3 million, according to project plans.
The MVC land use subcommittee had previously recommended the approval of the project, with a laundry list of conditions.
On Thursday, commissioners went through the conditions, which require that all commercial space in the development be reserved for retail or office use, and that all housing units are year-round with strict limits on short-term rentals. The applicant will also be required to contribute $73,600 to an affordable housing commission or project in Tisbury.
The commission also required that the project use air-pump heat sourcing, but stopped short of requiring water heaters to be electric rather than propane. Other conditions include public access to the beach portion of the property to maintain access to Owen Park from the Steamship Authority terminal, and a requirement that the rebuilt stone bank building retain its terra cotta tile roof.
The Tisbury sewer commission has approved two separate requests that increase the property’s daily sewer flow from 904 gallons to 2,310. The town wastewater facility is nearly at capacity, limiting other developments across the town.
After approving the conditions, commissioners went through the project’s benefits and detriments with uncharacteristic alacrity, agreeing that the project’s substantial wastewater allotment, location near the harbor and stormwater concerns presented slight detriments. Commissioners also noted that the town has articulated long-term planning goals to protect the fragile Vineyard Haven harbor, and focus development on the State Road business district. They also agreed that the proposed project was appropriate in light of those concerns.
“The town is actively planning to protect this low-lying area so that development can continue in some form,” commissioner Ben Robinson said. “In light of that, I think it is appropriate, the way it is being proposed here.”
Commissioners also unanimously agreed that the benefits to housing and the downtown area outweighed wastewater and other issues.
“If you are going to build anything in this particular location, this is as good as it is going to get,” commissioner Doug Sederholm said. “It’s a very innovative and positive development.”

Comments
Hi, Are they leaving the
Chip Vineyard Non-Resident For 40 YrsHi, Are they leaving the exterior stone of the old bank intact?
Always Loved That Bldg. Disappointed when the terracotta tile roof was removed
Gross. looks like condos in
Mark EdgartownGross. looks like condos in Tampa...
We can’t all look like
Matty TisburyWe can’t all look like Edgartown. The bank needed to be repurposed. This is a good solution.
Before it was Santander, for
Barbara New YorkBefore it was Santander, for many years it was the Martha's Vineyard National Bank.
My mother worked there when
Leslie Crawford Los AngelesMy mother worked there when it was the MV National Bank.
Yes, and my grandmother and
Liisa Berger Cary NC,Yes, and my grandmother and mother both had accounts there, and I was listed on their accounts. I remember going into the bank with them and just feeling like it was kind of a magical place! I'd never seen a more beautiful building anywhere.
Great for Sam Dunn and
Tom Engley West TisburyGreat for Sam Dunn and Vineyard Haven. Question: Why does it take 7 months for this project and real affordable housing takes years to approve. We need a plan we are in trouble the Vineyard with no real workers for seasonal businesses or for the trades. Look at the first 2 boats in every morning hundreds of workers disembark.
We have become a gated Island. We need a plan!!!!!
Totally agree
Elizabeth EdgartownTotally agree
MVC and local planning
Figures Vineyard HavenMVC and local planning commission.
The building(s) needed
Mike SomewhereThe building(s) needed repurposing. The design could be better scaled and giving a nod to the future starting point of the new harbors waterfront boardwalk. What a delightful area that could be.
Again - short sighted zoning. VH harbor needs a master plan which apparently is beyond the scope of the current towns administrations vision.
The people coming off the boat are commuting to work, people are going to work on the mainland from here too, like so many of us do. Why does everyone that works somewhere have to live there. They don't. My commute was +-1 hr each way for over 40 years. Its nice to live near where you work, but not mandatory. Getting a living wage so you can commute is the key.
Thanks Mike,
Christine VHThanks Mike,
We also commute off island, it’s just what you do, it doesn’t mean you want or should live on the island. People live and work in different places and it happens all over the world.
So one unit is affordable,
Abby Normal The RockSo one unit is affordable, that is great. But what a failure on the part of the commission to ask the developer to do more. This is going to help one Vineyarder. The balance will be sold to seasonal or those downsizing from existing homes. What a pity. It was an opportunity to create several permanently affordable units. It is in a smart growth area: pre-existing density, existing infrastructure, and walkable to transit, food, and most other essentials.
It is amazing how some people
William EdgartownIt is amazing how some people get things passed by the MVC and others do not. Just out of curiosity what was the MVC affordable housing tab on this project beyond what was offered? Does it compare with recent projects both approved and disapproved?
The Meeting House Way project
Bob EdgartownThe Meeting House Way project in Edgartown was 100 times better for affordable housing on the island and did not need any special wavers. It fit all current zoning and exceeded them in most cases. But that was turned down. It does seem to make a difference as the MHW project was received poorly because it was a developer from off island. It was discussed both during and after meetings who they were. It should not make a difference but it does.
Bob, you are comparing apples
SG VHBob, you are comparing apples to oranges. Pavement to woodland. Already developed, downtown land to undisturbed forest. The MVC made the right decision in both cases.
If your wealthy enough to
Reid Buzz bayIf your wealthy enough to afford a condo I would like to warn said millionaire about the 5 am wake up call of the truck rigs backing up ‘beep, beep, beep’ as well as the ferry engines warming up. 5:30am is the horn sounding. Repeat till 10:30 pm. It’s like the Woods hole road. Fair warning.
We live on an island. We’re
T Bone Oak BluffsWe live on an island. We’re not as cranky about an active port as your side of the world is.
Why can't the town buy it and
Charlie Callahan So Boston/EdgartownWhy can't the town buy it and make nice 2 bedroom apts all at affordable housing prices for the HARDWORKING PEOPLE who have been priced out of the market here because of greed. A family here can barely get by on $100,000 a year. I am long retired,so it doesn't affect me, but I have friends who can barely get by and work 7 days a week.
Enough parking for all
Alan MuckerheideEnough parking for all residents of the new living spaces?
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