To the Editor:

This letter is to bring attention to a development that will forever scar a treasure of Tisbury, 14 Pine Street. The majestic home of the former Luce family embodies the very essence of what was once a haven for sailors.

Paul Alder acquired the parcel on August 8, 2014, for the sum of $1,100,000. The project is before the Tisbury Planning Board for a proposed eight-lot subdivision behind the house. A new road cut of 40 feet in width will be on the right side of the parcel next to 26 Pine Street. The main house plus an acre of land is under agreement, pending the approval of the plan. The additional eight lots will be between 10,000 square foot and 13,000 square foot lots, to be sold with a newly constructed house for $750,000.

The abutters on the Spring Street side, of which I am one, have many of the same concerns as the Mullen Way residents in Edgartown. This development will have a very negative impact on this old, established neighborhood. The tax revenue the town will receive from these newly created lots, if sold at $750,000, is approximately $50,000. The developer will be placing a financial burden on all the taxpayers in town to support larger town government. Also, the environmental impact will affect Lake Tashmoo, because the watershed line is at the far west end of the parcel. The developer has an engineered system to handle a 25-year flood, but it must be maintained. The nitrogen loading from the eight new septic systems, which this parcel has never known, could have a potential impact on all residents in the town.

I recently attend the Tisbury Vision Planning meeting at the Senior Center on Feb. 12. Some of the goals for our town are: Act as responsible stewards of our natural environment, reduce traffic congestion, and create a public realm that connects and integrates great neighborhoods, parks, and open spaces. This subdivision will not “Keep Tisbury, Tisbury.”

Adding a new road to access Pine Street, which is already heavily burdened, will possibly lead to congestion and create potential traffic incidents. Picture this: Summer, traveling either down Spring Street passing Pine Street intersection or traveling up Centre Street taking a left onto Pine Street with this new road. Also, add in either a Mass at the Catholic Church or a prayer service at the Hebrew Center.

This subdivision should go to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for a full traffic study, and to assess the environmental impact it will have on the neighborhood. The planning board does have discretion to refer to the MVC. If the parcel must be developed, then please consider five lots so as not to burden the town with more infrastructure costs.

I ask all residents in Tisbury to please attend the public hearing at 6:15 pm, Wednesday, March 11,at the Town Annex on High Point Lane. As residents of this wonderful town, we need to band together and preserve the little open space that is left, and preserve the Tisbury treasure known as the Luce house. The abutters and I are asking the residents to support our neighborhood of hard-working people.

Angela Cywinski

Vineyard Haven