HomeMy WebLinkAboutZoning Board of Appeals Meeting Minutes, July 31, 2009_201402050842149863 TOWN OF NANTUCKET
BOARD OF APPEALS
NANTUCKET, MA 02554
Minutes
Friday, July 31, 2009
9:00 AM
2 Fairgrounds Road
Board Members in attendance: Michael J. O’Mara, Dale Waine, Kerim Koseatac, Lisa Botticelli, Mark Poor, Carol
Cross, and Susan McCarthy.
Staff: John Brescher and Venessa Moore
I. Call to Order:
Chairman O’Mara called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM.
II. New Business
028-09 Town of Nantucket 2 Fairgrounds Road Gibson C
Action Deadline September 26, 2009.
Attorney Lou Ross and Deputy Chief Charlie Gibson of the Nantucket Police Department
represented the Applicant.
Attorney Ross explained to the Board that the Applicant is requesting a height variance in
construct a public safety facility. The height variance would be applicable to a cupola in
order to vent the elevator shaft, the ridge line of the structure, and a belvedere.
Attorney Ross explained that the need for the variance stems from the public good, the
unique size and shape of the proposed structure, and the soil conditions on the locus.
Dale Waine asked why this request had not been finalized in 2007 when the Applicant first
came to the Board.
Attorney Ross explained that it was the impression of the Applicant that cupolas were
exempt from the height regulations in the zoning code.
Lisa Botticelli asked why there was a need for two cupolas.
2 Fairgrounds Road Nantucket Massachusetts 02554
508-228-7215 telephone 508-228-7298 facsimile
Attorney Ross explained that one is used to vent the elevator shaft and the other will be
used in connection with the fire department. Attorney Ross then explained that at
present, there is only a plan to have a police station.
The architects for the project, Kaestle Boos, then explained the intricacies of the design
process.
There were several members of the audience who spoke against the requested relief.
Carol Dunton spoke against the application and wondered why the fire station was even
mentioned at this point.
Wayne Holmes corrected Ms. Dunton and informed her that on the police station was
being discussed at this point.
Assistant Town Manager, Malachy Rice, explained to the Board that it would be easier to
bring everything forward at this point, in terms of requests, rather than stagger the
requests.
Dirk Roggeveen, speaking as the Chairman of the HDC, explained why the structure was
approved as designed.
Irving Holdgate, an abutter, spoke against the application stating that nothing else in the
neighborhood is over thirty feet high.
Dorothy Volens spoke against the height of the structure as well.
Andy Lowell wondered what other buildings come to this height.
Charles Hughes asked how tall the other large buildings are.
Dirk Roggeveen stated that many churches are well over thirty feet high.
Carol Dunton spoke again and stated that she did not believe that this was in the
character of “Nantucket.”
Irving Holdgate spoke again and noted that the Town was moving a commercial building
into a residential area.
Police Chief Bill Pittman interjected that this application has been before the voters three
times and then gave the history of the public input process of this project.
Carol Dunton again stated her objection that this structure is too tall.
Frank White wondered why this was not included in the original decision in 2007.
Jenn Erichsen reminded the abutters that this is a Residential-Commercial zoning district.
A motion was made (Waine) and duly seconded to approve the requested relief. The vote
was 4-1 in favor (Botticelli opposed).
VII. Adjournment
2 Fairgrounds Road Nantucket Massachusetts 02554
508-228-7215 telephone 508-228-7298 facsimile
A motion was made (Koseatac) and duly seconded to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 A.M.
2 Fairgrounds Road Nantucket Massachusetts 02554
508-228-7215 telephone 508-228-7298 facsimile