voices: the community speaks of Nantucket and GHYC

Robert and Kelly Paterson
70 Union Street
Nantucket, MA 02554

November 3, 2003

Nantucket Planning Board
37 Washington Street
Nantucket, MA 02554

Dear Board Members,

We are writing this letter to put on the record our concerns with the proposed Great Harbor Yacht Club and MCD. We feel that this proposal will make a major impact to our lives and property since our residence is located adjacent to this MCD.

Our first concern is the proposed new traffic flow going into and out of the yacht club via Salt Marsh Lane. This traffic flow will increase the numbers of cars from the three currently to hundreds if approved.

Our second concern is the portion of the parking lot that will be right on top of our house, they will be removing two homes behind our house and turning a large portion of what is now lawn into a parking lot.

Third a new Boat repair building will built where a small cottage now sits. This building will be used for boat repairs, boat wash down, etc. This new building will be approximately 10-15 feet from our house. We will be forced to live with all the working aspects of this building very close to our home. Not to mention the back-up beeper of the new very large travel lift that will be housed in this building.

Fourth and most important to us will be the proposed boat racks that will be part of the parking lot. We have been told that they want racks for 37 boats which are 12'-0" tall to the bottom level of stored boats. These racks will be right outside our windows, and will have a negative impact on our property value. Not to mention will locate stored boats, which are above the ridgeline of our house.

We have voiced our concerns a number of times at meetings we have had with the two owners of the Yacht Club. The Developers have told us that they would work us but nothing has been done to date. During a meeting at the Tuckernuck Inn I asked to have the racks moved to the other side of the Sports Barn and was told by Mr. McCarthy that he and the members of the Club would not want to look at them. WE have tried to stress the point that ourselves and others are going to be greatly impacted which doesn't seem to matter. We feel strongly that the proposed Boat Repair Building, Boat storage racks, parking lot with added lighting will make a major negative impact on the value of our home. There are many more concerns, new grade elevations for buildings and parking, underground fuel storage close by our house, noise, and excess lighting around our home.

There are a lot more points that need to be looked at as well in general the change in land use behind our home which will become the working end of the Club. An area that the new members do not want to see or hear.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss all aspects with you the board and the Applicants of the Yacht Club.

Thank you for your time,

Robert Paterson and Kelly Paterson