Knighted British architect Norman Foster’s controversial building project on the Tisbury Great Pond, decried by neighbors as oversized and environmentally destructive, is not in violation of West Tisbury zoning bylaws, the town building inspector said this week.
“I am in receipt of the final as-built documents and the height of the dwelling does not exceed 18 feet from mean natural grade as defined,” building inspector Joe Tierney wrote to the West Tisbury planning board in a letter dated Dec. 29 that he also provided to the Gazette.
“At this time, I am unaware of any current zoning violations at the property,” Mr. Tierney wrote.
The planning board wrote to the building inspector in November requesting more information about the building on Pond View Farm Road.
Neighbors had complained to the town about Mr. Foster’s 4,300-square-foot guest house, which was permitted as a single-family residence three years ago.
The website for the nonprofit Norman Foster Foundation presents the modern, wood-and-steel structure as a retreat for friends and guests of the architect and his wife, who also own nearby Blue Heron Farm.
But an earlier description, since removed from the website, described the Pond View Farm Road house as “a flexible space to accommodate a range of multi-disciplinary activities including think tank sessions, workshops and seminars [and] a residency programme”.
Concerned neighbors complained that the permitted residence was turning into a conference center. Others expressed shock at the scope of landscaping that has taken place on the pondside site.
Sara Doyle of neighboring Pond View Farm told the planning board at a November meeting that grading and planting changes on the Foster property had flooded out two horse paddocks at the equestrian center she manages.
The planning board is close to reviewing a proposed bylaw for residential construction that could require applicants to submit detailed landscaping plans in advance and expect site inspections during construction.
The draft bylaw is set for discussion at the board’s Jan. 10 meeting.
