A Mexican “fast-food” restaurant with 70 outdoor seats and an outdoor bar, is being proposed for the Stone Bank development in Vineyard Haven, according to a plan that came before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for review this week.
The Stone Bank development originally received approval from the commission in 2021. But developer Sam Dunn now wants to add a few changes to the mixed-use condominium complex, including replacing a lawn area at Main and Union streets with the restaurant and bar.
The proposal raised concerns from commissioners, who questioned the loss of green space and creation of a bar.
“[T]he green space being decked over — that’s a little concerning to me,” said commissioner Jim Vercruysse of Aquinnah, in his final meeting before stepping down from the MVC.
Chair Joan Malkin of Chilmark echoed Mr. Vercruysse’s comment.
“[The lawn] was part of the plan that was approved, and it was considered important to have the green space,” Ms. Malkin said.
MVC climate change planner Liz Durkee added her concerns about Mr. Dunn’s proposed modification of the plan approved last year.
“This is a big change,” Ms. Durkee said, noting the intensified use projected for an area that is subject to rising levels of both groundwater and the sea.
The commission also discussed wastewater needs at the eatery, which Mr. Dunn plans to sell to Patrick Lyons, the owner of Back Door Donuts and an established Boston restaurateur.
Tisbury water department head Jared Meader said that after eliminating illegal hookups and leaks in the system, the town now has more than enough capacity to treat the restaurant’s allotment of 20 gallons a day for each seat.
“In two years we’ll audit [the restaurant’s] water usage records,” Mr. Meader said. “If it goes up, we’ll require them to come back to the board.”
The restaurant’s solid waste output would be minimal, Mr. Dunn said, with food waste collected for composting and utensils made from compostable and recyclable materials.
“Many items will just be served in baskets,” he said.
Commissioner Kate Putnam of Edgartown appeared skeptical that the fast-food restaurant, which includes a row of take-out windows, could prevent litter in the area.
“We’re very near the water here,” Ms. Putnam said. “Things blow around.”
Next-door neighbor Peter Stam of Main street said Mr. Dunn has provided the Stam family with deeded access to reach their home, which directly abuts the condominium property, but that they would like the MVC to add conditions of approval governing noise, odor, and pest control and lighting.
Mr. Stam also asked the commission to enshrine an earlier agreement from Mr. Dunn that the restaurant would only serve alcohol with food, which was the law throughout Tisbury until this fall.
Now that the state has authorized stand-alone alcohol sales at restaurants in town, Mr. Stam said he would like to see the Stone Bank eatery held to Mr. Dunn’s earlier commitment.
“I’m concerned that where the taqueria is located … people will be coming up for a quick-hit margarita or a beer while they wait for the boat,” Mr. Stam told the commission, saying he’s worried about patrons making noise and littering.
After continuing the Stone Bank restaurant hearing to Jan. 12, the commission unanimously approved an application for Vineyard Wind to buy, instead of leasing, its portion of a Beach Road property now owned by the Tisbury Marine Terminal.
“The only thing that would change is that this [lease] line becomes a lot line,” said Alex Elvin, the commission’s coordinator for developments of regional impact (DRIs).
The purchase is a modification of the MVC’s previous decision approving the Vineyard Wind operations and maintenance base next to the marine terminal business, but commissioners agreed it did not need another public hearing because both firms will remain liable for all of the approval’s conditions, both individually and jointly.
“Unless modified by the commission, all provisions of the decision remain in effect,” said commissioner Doug Sederholm of West Tisbury.
Among other business, the MVC quickly approved a new hangar at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport, first voting that the application to build it did not require a public hearing.
“This is an infill use in this area, so it’s particularly appropriate,” said commissioner Fred Hancock of Oak Bluffs. “All the other lots in this particular area are covered with other hangars.”
Both votes were unanimous, with commissioner Brian Smith of Oak Bluffs ineligible after having missed the previous hearing on the hangar application.
Also Thursday, the MVC finalized its written decisions approving the Navigator Homes nursing home and workforce housing complex in Edgartown, the redevelopment of North Bluff in Oak Bluffs, and the denial of the demolition of a house on Look street in Vineyard Haven.
The next Martha’s Vineyard Commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5, when commissioners will open a public hearing on the Southern Tier affordable housing proposal in Oak Bluffs. They also plan to deliberate on the proposed Four Sisters Inn in Oak Bluffs, and the expansion of Safe Harbor Marina in Vineyard Haven.
