voices: the community speaks of Nantucket and GHYC

CONCERNED CITIZENS AND FRIENDS OF THE UNION STREET / WASHINGTON STREET EXTENSION NEIGHBORHOOD
c/o Jim Nettles, 64 Union Street,Nantucket, MA 02554


TO: NANTUCKET PLANNING BOARD

FROM: CONCERNED CITIZENS AND FRIENDS OF THE UNION STREET/WASHINGTON STREET EXTENDED NEIGHBORHOOD

SUBJECT: GREAT HARBOR YACHT CLUB MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PLANS

COPIED TO: NANTUCKET BOARD OF SELECTMEN,
THE H.D.C, THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION,
The NANTUCKET ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS,
THE MARINE, HARBORMASTER & SHELLFISH DEPARTMENT,
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
NANTUCKET LAND BANK
NANTUCKET LAND COUNCIL
THE MASSACHUSETTS ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT OFFICE
AND THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
SALTMARSH CENTER FOR ELDERLY AFFAIRS
GREAT HARBOR YACHT CLUB, INC.

DATE: November 18, 2003

Concerned citizens and friends met on November 16, 2003 to discuss the above referenced MCD, which we all believe will have a significant negative impact on our neighborhood, our community, and the Island of Nantucket. Present were owners and residents of 70 Union Street, 68 Union Street, 56 Union Street, 58 Union Street, 67 Union Street, 64 Union Street, 72 Union Street; 52 Union Street, 114 Washington Street, 103 Washington Street, 91 Washington Street and 121 Washington Street. Also present were friends who are residents of other neighborhoods on Nantucket.

While all present did not agree on the extent to which they would envision these plans going forward, if at all, there was unanimity regarding the following concerns, which we respectfully bring to your attention. We are opposed to these plans going forward without the following concerns being addressed to our satisfaction. We look forward to appearing before you at 7:00 p.m., November 24,2003.

1. TRAFFIC

We are very concerned about the impact of traffic generated by the proposed Great Harbor Yacht Club Development on our neighborhood, our property values and our quite enjoyment of our homes and businesses, as well as on the rest of the Island. Already very congested traffic situations on Union Street and Washington Street Extension would be exacerbated by additional vehicles generated by the projected 400 family memberships, their guests, employees, customers for the marine service facility and retail store and service vehicles entering Union Street from Salt Marsh Way plus large trucks hauling hundreds of boats. The traffic report commissioned by the applicants, Great Harbor Yacht Club, Inc. and John McElderry, suggests that because the current traffic situations are extremely congested that a few more cars won't make much of a difference.

Washington, Francis and Union Streets are already the major traffic artery for residential and commercial traffic and already experience heavy congestion and complete traffic stoppages. This artery also serves as the primary emergency vehicles access from the Rotary. As referenced in the July 29,2002 Requirements and Guidelines for MCD's " the Town is trying to minimize the number of traffic interruptions on its principal commercial streets".

2. PROPOSED GRADING AND ELEVATION

We are alarmed at elevation changes proposed for this project. It appears that the developer's designs have no regard for drainage issues in the neighborhood. In many cases, significant elevation changes at the property lines are proposed. As you may know, this area is already challenged by poor drainage and the existing storm sewer system does not work especially during storms and extreme tides. The developers' plan, as proposed, will stop the natural surface water drainage towards the harbor in the neighborhood and could cause significant pooling of water and flooding of nearby property. As stated in Article 4.06 of the Rules and Regulations governing Subdivisions " Storm drainage systems shall be designed...to eliminate undesirable or unnatural accumulation of water on any portion of the subdivision or surrounding property."

The proposal envisions various fill heights up to six feet at Washington Street in the pool clubhouse area. We are concerned about the effect of the displaced water and damage to surrounding properties during significant storm events.

No other structures in this area have ever filled to this extent especially when considering the large scale buildings that are proposed.

3. PARKING

No one wants their homes and businesses surrounded by vast parking lots but adequate parking must be provided for this project as part of this project, as there are no overflow spaces available in the area. This general area of town does not have on street parking.

The developers propose the following additional uses in addition to the Grey Lady Marine operation:
1) a sports barn
2) a marina with 79 slips and 37 valet boat racks
3) a pool and deck and snack bar / 50 seats
4) a pool house meeting room,br /> 5) a grill style restaurant and porch / 123 seats
6) a formal dining room /72 seats
7) a dining porch / 42 seats
8) a private dining room/16 seats
9) a billiard room and a library
10) a bar / 30 seats
11) a 3000 sq.ft. meeting/function room
12) a shipÕs store
13) employee dormitory housing
14) 2 residential condominiums in the Todd Building
15) retail store in the Todd Building

The developers assert that 113 parking spaces is adequate parking for all these uses. We estimate that 250 parking spaces are needed. We strongly urge careful consideration of impacts to surrounding properties of any parking plan.

We believe that the valet parking proposal is a circumvention of existing parking requirements. It appears from the plan that the majority of the valet spaces require that the car back up into the public street.

And we ask the question does parking under a raised boat rack conform to minimum parking standards? Many residents of the neighborhood will be negatively impacted by the unsightly visual impact of elevated boat storage racks within a few yards of their property.

4. The Marina - Public Water for Private Use

We are concerned for many reasons with the proposed pier. First it involves using an area of the harbor, which is now "public water", occupied with moorings and a channel, and converting it to a floating pier. A number of people with moorings will be directly displaced with this proposal.

5. Environmental Impact

If this development proceeds as proposed, we expect there will be considerable environmental damage caused to the harbor. There is now the presence of eelgrass, scallops and other shellfish in the location around the proposed pier. We're concerned about the damage to the indigenous sea life if a pier is built. Dredging for the pier and the travel life will have to be done. The water is already adversely affected by the lack of flow in this area, and with additional impediments caused by structures in the water, there could further damage to the habitat.

This area of the island abuts a large area of salt marsh habitat traversed by the former railroad embankment known as the Creeks. It is home to many shore birds and sea life. It is also used by a large number of islanders for walking, outdoor recreation, bird watching, and light boating. We believe the additional automobile traffic, boat usage, and the increased number of people, noise and electrical lighting all generated by this project will adversely affect the environment. One of the greatest issues that we are concerned with is the possibility of oil deposits from parked vehicles getting into the harbor.

This proposed project will destroy the last (one of the last) public harbor access areas on Nantucket.

6. Historic Impact

Some of the existing boat buildings have survived in that location for close to 100 years. Their demolition will remove the last vestiges of the working waterfront from Nantucket.

This massive intensification of use of the property, cramming multiple activities under one umbrella, without adequate land or parking, jacking boats and buildings up in the air, increasing traffic, the taking of public waterways, makes this project clearly out of scale for the neighborhood and for Nantucket. As now proposed, this project would be a radical and destructive departure from established norms in the community, that if built, may encourage other similarly destructive proposals in the future.

Respectfully Submitted:

Signed by 23 citizens of the neighborhood and friends.