MVC poised to approve Water Street affordable housing

At a public hearing concluded last week, green was the watchword in the commissioners discussion.

The Marthas Vineyard Commission (MVC) wrapped up a public hearing in one session last Thursday night on a proposal by the Island Housing Trust (IHT) to build a six-unit affordable housing rental apartment building at 6 Water Street in Vineyard Haven. But not before the commissioners put IHT executive director Philippe Jordi, accompanied by IHT board chairman Richard Leonard, through the paces during a more than 90-minute discussion, and put off a decision by one week.

Most of the commissioners questions focused on the affordable housing projects design elements, and particularly the lack of greenery on the 0.11-acre site close to Five Corners.

Photo by Michael Cummo

This dilapidated house will be replaced by a six bedroom affordable apartment building.

The MVC reviewed the affordable housing project adjacent to Stop & Shop as a development of regional impact (DRI). Approval could come tonight. On Monday, the commissions land use planning committee voted to recommend approval with the condition that the MVC approve the final landscaping, architectural detail, and stormwater management plans before a building permit is issued.

Plans call for a two-and-a-half story, 3,600-square-foot building. There will be six 600-square-foot apartments, three handicapped accessible ground floor units and three on the second floor, each with one bedroom and one bathroom. Mr. Jordi said IHT worked closely with Tisburys Affordable Housing Committee, Planning Board, Historic Commission, building department, and Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to come up with the design

It is our intent to develop a project that contributes to the village of Vineyard Haven and the communitys critical need for year-round affordable rental housing, Mr. Jordi said last Thursday night. We ask that you close the public hearing and make your decision tonight, so that we have time for the Tisbury Zoning Board of Appeals public review process in advance of the state and local grant funding process this fall.

Green versus housing

Commissioner Joan Malkin of Chilmark called attention to a bricked area on the plans that includes the developments only parking space, to be used for deliveries, pickups and dropoffs only.

Read this article:
MVC poised to approve Water Street affordable housing