Timeline Highlights of the Martha's Vineyard Commission Through the Decades
The first zoning maps laid out the entire south shore for protection. The coastal district followed that same blueprint.
The first zoning maps laid out the entire south shore for protection. The coastal district followed that same blueprint.
In the 1970s the first districts of critical planning concern were adopted: the coastal district and Island roads district.
In the 1970s the first districts of critical planning concern were adopted: the coastal district and Island roads district.
Island Properties case later became a landmark ruling in state Supreme Judicial Court.
Island Properties case later became a landmark ruling in state Supreme Judicial Court.
Amid cries of home rule, in 1978 Edgartown withdrew from the commission, resulting in widespread development.
Amid cries of home rule, in 1978 Edgartown withdrew from the commission, resulting in widespread development.
Tisbury followed suit in 1980 after the commission denied a second slip for the Steamship Authority.
Tisbury followed suit in 1980 after the commission denied a second slip for the Steamship Authority.
In 1987 Edward Redstone proposed a 55,000-square-foot bank/supermarket/mall complex on the site of the old Nobnocket garage on State Road in Vineyard Haven.
In 1987 Edward Redstone proposed a 55,000-square-foot bank/supermarket/mall complex on the site of the old Nobnocket garage on State Road in Vineyard Haven.
In the 1990s, Neil and Monte Wallace, the owners of Herring Creek Farm in Edgartown, filed plans for a high-end development of 54 houses and a private beach club on 200 acres.
In the 1990s, Neil and Monte Wallace, the owners of Herring Creek Farm in Edgartown, filed plans for a high-end development of 54 houses and a private beach club on 200 acres.
In the early 2000s three proposals for high-end golf courses were in progress.
In the early 2000s three proposals for high-end golf courses were in progress.
Water quality planning has been a tenet of the commission from the outset.
Water quality planning has been a tenet of the commission from the outset.
More and more the commission finds itself in the middle of debate over historic preservation on the Island, sparked in part by the recent proliferation of demolition of older houses.
More and more the commission finds itself in the middle of debate over historic preservation on the Island, sparked in part by the recent proliferation of demolition of older houses.
Affordable housing has been a priority issue from the start — the commission adopted its first affordable housing policy in 1975.
Affordable housing has been a priority issue from the start — the commission adopted its first affordable housing policy in 1975.
Sustainable energy issues.
Sustainable energy issues.
Today the commission finds itself confronting a new suite of issues. Climate change, including erosion, suddenly in the forefront.
Today the commission finds itself confronting a new suite of issues. Climate change, including erosion, suddenly in the forefront.
In 1973 every Island town took steps to adopt comprehensive zoning. A year later, a land use commission for the Vineyard was introduced as a compromise to the Kennedy bill. The state commission was endorsed by a referendum vote in all six Island towns in March 1974.
An Act to Protect Land and Water on Martha’s Vineyard was signed into law on July 27, 1974 by Gov. Francis W. Sargent at the Katharine Cornell Theatre.
A timeline follows, with highlights of the commission through the decades.