Developers of Katama Meadows, a development that could hold nearly 300 bedrooms proposed in Edgartown, sought to withdraw their application with the Martha’s Vineyard Commission on Thursday, only to be rebuffed in a tied vote.
While seeking to withdraw, the developers are still planning to proceed with permitting for the project.
Robert Moriarty, the attorney representing Katama Meadows, said during the hearing that the applicants wanted to return to the Edgartown planning board — where they also plan to withdraw the project and resubmit — so that newly elected board member Taylor Pierce would be able to deliberate after the project undergoes the commission’s review.
“Given the importance of this project, really, to the town of Edgartown, I think it’s important for everybody to have [a] full, five-member panel of the planning board able to vote on this,” Moriarty said. He also requested the commission waive its rule prohibiting an applicant from resubmitting the same project, or a substantially similar version, until two years after withdrawing it.
With a new member elected to the board, Moriarty said only four of the five board members would be eligible to vote on the project once it returns to the town after commission review. The project needs at least three members to approve it. Moriarty said while some details, like the timeline, have changed, the resubmitted project would essentially be the same.
The commission was split on the request about the withdrawal, ending up in a tied 8-8 vote after Oak Bluffs Commissioner Brian Smith moved to accept the applicants’ request.
The commission ultimately decided, without a vote, to give the applicants time to receive input from the planning board, and continued the hearing to May 8.
There’s been considerable opposition to the project; the commission has received nearly 50 letters opposing the proposal since March. The Great Pond Foundation issued a mass email on Wednesday stating that the project would “destroy [an] intact, ancient forest,” and add harmful nitrogen to Edgartown Great Pond.
Meanwhile, the continued public hearing for the proposed 60-unit Edgartown Gardens was delayed until May 22, at the request of the applicant.
Martha’s Vineyard Commission Executive Director Adam Turner said the regulatory body was developing a map and database showing details about housing developments. He said this was being done in light of comments they received that the commission’s reviews of multiple proposed large housing developments “haven’t looked at what is the cumulative impact of all these things, that we’re looking at these one by one.”
Turner said the initiative should be ready by the “next hearing,” which the commission calendar shows is on May 1 — the day when the 19-bedroom Cat Hollow project begins its public hearing.
What’s interesting is the mass marketing campaign against this project at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. Go to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission website and look up the over 50 letters against this project and then go see how many of them have commented about the equally damaging project by Edgartown Gardens at the Donaroma‘s greenhouse space. Something is a miss here when all these people are Against one development, but not against another when they both equally are doing virtually the same thing. Politics in action here. The reality is Edgartown Gardens has less impact on traffic and wastewater. All you letterwriters what is you’re hidden agenda.
Well, it looks like I should proofread my comments as at the end where I said Edgartown Gardens I meant to say Katama Meadows will have far less impact on traffic and Wastewater. Edgartown Gardens at 30 units works, but not in its current form. I have to wait and see what Katama Meadows new plan will look like.
No hidden agenda Bob. We’re against Donarama’s project too.
The Cape Codification of MV continues. One more stark example of why a housing bank bill is unwise, unwarranted and unnecessary. Keep Our Island Green
If the Steamship Would run a reliable commuter fast ferry it would lessen the need for more affordable housing. We need to stop thinking that every worker on this island wants to work and live here.
How many people who work on the Island want to spend over two hours a day on a boat, pay $15 a day to park, get to and from the parking lot, have an Island car to get to and from (parking!).
How many workers have you asked?
How many want to.
.5 – 2%.
The haves live on Island?
The worker bees do not?
Good living requires a long commute…
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