voices: the community speaks of Nantucket and GHYC

David and Donna Wiley
68 Union Street, Nantucket, MA
(508) 228-0198

November 12, 2003

Nantucket Conservation Commission
37 Washington Street
Nantucket, MA 02554

Dear Board Members and Staff,

We believe that the Great Harbor Yacht Club application, as proposed, will have many adverse impacts to the following resource areas. It is not that we are against the idea of a Yacht Club in general, however this over the top application which proposes to include the Grey Lady Marine, use as well as Club House, Pool house, pool, Sports Barn, Employee dormitory, Store, increased valet boat service, 79 slip pier and increased travel lift shows no effort to work within the existing simple low key neighborhood or area.

2.01 Land under the Ocean
2.08 Land Containing Shellfish

1. New Travel Lift location will require dredging to remove boats from this location, negative impacts might be shellfish, storm damage and flooding, and wetland scenic views.
2. Proposed pier (79 slips) will require dredging, relocation of existing channel, and removal of private moorings which are already in short supply. Adverse impact on shellfish, storm damage and flooding, wetland scenic views.

2.10 Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage

B. Performance Standards
1. " The work shall not reduce the ability of the land to absorb and contain flood waters, or to buffer inland areas from flooding and wave damage."

GHYC could reduce Clubhouse, Poolhouse and pool deck floor elevations by almost 5' as proposed if the following were considered.

a) The portion of the Clubhouse which is located in the V8 Zone or velocity zone elevation 10' was relocated to remain in the A7 Zone, elevation 9'. This would allow for a finish floor of 9'.

b) Also important to note since the use is commercial the Applicant could receive an exception to floor elevation requirements (780 CMR 3107.0 Water-resistant Construction) if flood-proofing was applied per code. These methods would allow a floor elevation of 8' or less. This construction method was provided at the new Henry's Building on Broad Street, and Annye's Whole Foods on Washington Street Extension, now owned by this applicant, and is very important to maintain the island character and scale.

We believe that the applicant should indicate for the board's information the following:

Where is the historical high tide line on site plans?

Where was edge of land was before filling?

What are the cubic yards of proposed fill on this project?

Since a Chapter 91 license is required is this proposal a water dependent use?

Since the "grandfathered" location of this boatyard and boat rack storage is on waterside of property should it not remain in similar location?

Are not the Boatyard, repair and storage of boats the only the true water dependent use of this property?

My last concern is public view from the newly expanded Francis Street Beach will be impacted and reduced by the proposed pier extending out into the harbor.

Copied from letter 11/4/03 to Planing Board re MCD:

The plans submitted indicate almost two feet of fill proposed for the parking lot directly behind our neighbors, We believe this is not necessary and will cause flooding.

The proposed floor elevations for the Clubhouse, Pool house and pool are 12.2. This is as much as 6' above Washington Street. This would require 5' fill over the 1.5-acre locus of 96 Washington Street. We believe required floor elevations in this area are elevation 9'.

It is not clear to us how many parking spaces are required. Based on the current Town Pier and Town Annex building, the amount shown will not even handle the 36 Valet boats and 78 boat slips. But the applicant wants additional buildings, which total 29,800 SF of ground cover.

Parking lot lighting .if not kept to a minimum or low level will cause a drastic increase in light pollution and affect the homes in the area. Currently there is no parking lot lighting at all. Outdoor lighting type?

New Boat Repair Building should remain in its current location where the boats are, not as far away from the water as possible.

Planting Plan not provided. What areas are counted in Open Space Calculations? If we add pool, landscape and beach we get a total of 31,284 SF., less than required 30%. Have we included 5' wide Geogrid reinforced grass strip on which travel lift will park full time and hardly seems open space by the intended definition?

Questions relative to page 2 MCD Guidelines section B. Site Development Plan:

B 6 Certified storm drainage plans- 5-year rainstorm event.
B 12 No Details provided!

Does this board realize that the current solid fill pier will have and additional 5' of fill added on top of it? The existing steel sheet piling will have a wood or concrete wall added facing the harbor to a height of 5' above existing walls. We need details and sections since this is a major impact to the public. The public walkway will be eye level to the new lawn areas.

Hopefully with plenty of community input this can be a project that benefits everyone, both GHYC and Nantucket Island. We have a great oppertunity to make something that everyone can be proud of.

Sincerely,

David and Donna Wiley