Coffin sand pit developer considers abutter concerns
BY PETER B. BRACE INDEPENDENT WRITER
Concerns about site stability and the potential expansion of the island's aquifer protection zone colored the Planning Board's first look at WB Holdings, LLC's 65-lot industrial subdivision on Nov. 15.

The plan, which calls for the filling in of Kenneth C. Coffin's 9.5 acre sand pit at 3 Arrowhead Drive, which Developers Gary Winn and John Brazilian say will be developed strictly for commercial purposes, elicited apprehension from the board about the ability of the filled-in sand pit to support buildings.

"I'm very concerned [with what] was put in as you filled it and I think we should look at whether the ground is able to hold structures and if it is all right," said Planning Board Chairman Frank Spriggs.

Winn assured Spriggs that the property's ground will be solid enough to support buildings.

Another concern came from Nantucket Memorial Airport Operations Manager Al Peterson who stressed that no houses should be built as part of the development because of airport noise levels that would cause complaints from residents. Peterson said that all properties within a 65-decibel contour line, a threshold of airport noise levels, are eligible for a purchasing program through the Federal Aviation Administration that typically tries to acquire any developable land around airports that could become residential. Winn and Brazilian told the board that the only housing would be ancillary for employees of the businesses.

"We're just not going to sell it to someone who wants to turn it into a condo complex who are going to complain about airport noise," said Winn.

But Peterson was not convinced.

"To me it looks like a duck and quacks like duck, but it's not being a duck," said Peterson. "The airport has approached the FAA, but the price is just beyond what the typical price would be."

Winn said he is already taking deposits for the 5,000-square-foot lots in blocks of twos, threes and fours with three individuals committed. The lots range in price from $575,000 for the interior lots to more than $2 million for the front lots along Arrowhead Drive.

Winn's plan is to attract commercial businesses such as gas stations, car dealerships, car repair and wash businesses, dry cleaners and other uses that need to be outside the aquifer protection zone. But Nantucket Land Council Executive Director Cormac Collier urged Winn to consider restricting some of these uses, since the protection zone is likely to expand nearby because of Wannacomet Water Co.'s new well at 38 Polpis Road. He also asked that the board require more stringent stormwater runoff treatment.

Though the planning staff is recommending approval based on Winn's and Brazilian's Nov. 13, 2006 preliminary plan approval, some members still had requests.

"I know that the airport had plenty of complaints about airport noise," Planning Board member Sylvia Howard began. "Looking at this plan, there are about 12 lots that abut the airport. I would like you to consider restricting just those lots to no dwellings."

Winn replied that he would consider Howard's request.

The board also asked that better drainage be installed in the development and proper sidewalk or bike path access be included. Winn returns to the Planning Board at its Dec. 10

meeting to present his revision. I