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 CONSERVATION COMMISSION

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.

February 9, 2004

Dear Board Members and Staff,

Having attended the hearings on this proposal and in anticipation of the addition request from Great Harbor Yacht Club we have the following concerns and comments relative to this project.

The applicant proposes the following;

1) To collect rain-water from shell parking areas totaling 29,700 square feet, which is an area over half acre. I believe shells are pervious and water and contaminants will pass through them. (Refer to Open Space Calculations, on Proposed Site Layout Plan).,

2) To install a new asphalt paved Private Way 20'-25' wide from Washington Street Extension to Union Street totaling 18,826 s.f.. Install concrete drive surfaces, etc. totaling 19,000 s.f.. Install new brick walks and parking areas totaling 14,290 s.f.. Total surface area 52,116 s.f. Or well over an acre of land.

We feel this will have an adverse impact on the site, a Coastal Flood Plane and Land Subject to Flooding. These changes in grades and existing surfaces will negatively affect surrounding property ability to drain during rain or high tide events. There is a very high spring water table and this area receives a large amount of run off underground from as far away as the Mill. It is a known fact that water seeks its own level and that during heavy rains or flood events the storm water drains are the first to fill up. Please reference the existing elevations, 6.0 to 6.2, of the Town road Washington Street Extension that crosses this property.

3) To pipe all existing and new site rainwater to the new Town of Nantucket storm sewer system.

Doesn't this require permission from the Nantucket Department of Public Works?

We believe that the Town storm sewer system was not sized or designed to handle private property owner's 3 acres site run off.

4) To fill 95% of this property with anywhere from 1'-2. 8' of added material. Common sense tells us that water flows down hill and that all abutting properties will suffer added runoff from this action.

5) The most recent revised engineered plans indicate surface water from Union Street being run across abutter's properties. GHYC new parking areas, which are indicated as chrushed shells, non-porous surfaces, and buildings, will charge an already high ground water table. This will have an adverse affect on the adjacent areas to drain naturally as is now happening. The boatyard now dumps a large portion of it waterside surface water directly into the Harbor. The required solution should be an on site Owner paid for disposal system that protects harbor water quality and is maintained and the responsibility of the Applicant. The Town of Nantucket can not maintain what it now owns so for this application to add to the Town's burden is not responsible, practical or fair. I don't believe legal either..could you imagine if every property owner tied into the storm sewers system for their unwanted site runoff? Please note that over an Acre of land will be covered with impervious surfaces and that over ² of an Acre will be covered with buildings.

6) Lawn areas are being created on the waters edge which will mean more nitrogen in the harbor and a negative impact on water quality.

David Wiley for
CONCERNED CITIZENS AND FRIENDS OF THE UNION STREET/WASHINGTON STREET EXTENDED NEIGHBORHOOD