Developer Reid “Sam” Dunn is still on the hook for some of the changes at his Stone Bank mixed-use condominium complex in Vineyard Haven that were not approved in advance by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
A set of chimneys, and the fireplaces they serve, remain under contention after two consecutive MVC meetings on the unsanctioned additions.
Commissioners continue to investigate the style of the chimneys themselves, and whether the plans the commission previously approved included their connection to fireplaces.
“A feature as significant as a fireplace should have been part of the plans that came before us, so that we could say yes or no,” commissioner Linda Sibley said at the most recent meeting on July 6. “These are not trivial, insignificant add-ons.”
Last month, commissioners took Mr. Dunn to task for his freewheeling approach, accusing him of disrespecting the MVC process by adding skylights, an exterior staircase, synthetic trellising instead of cedar and several other changes to the development plans that were approved in 2021.
The commission concluded its June 22 discussion by approving most of Mr. Dunn’s modifications, but not the chimneys and fireplaces or the construction of a fence, retaining wall and foundation bordering the public parking lot on Union street.
Commissioners earlier this year agreed to have a stormwater study performed by a third party to determine whether the fencing, foundation and wall will pose any risk to the lot in heavy weather.
The chimney issue arose after Mr. Dunn replaced the boxy chimneys in his original design with stove-style metal pipes and caps. While looking into the design, commissioners and MVC staff learned that the chimneys are attached to fireplaces in the residential units that will burn propane or wood.
While the developer said that his original drawings show fireplace openings in the condos, commissioner Ben Robinson insisted that no labeling indicated they were intended to be fireplaces and that he would have fought their inclusion in the project.
“We are in a time when we need to eliminate fossil fuels at every single opportunity that we’re given,” Mr. Robinson said. “This is, not to put it too heavily, life-and-death decision making.”
Mr. Dunn argued that the fireplaces are not primarily heat sources for the dwelling units, but amenities similar to others found across the Island.
“I just can’t believe that we’re trying to say that you can’t have fireplaces on Martha’s Vineyard any more,” Mr. Dunn said. “If that’s what we’re saying, then let’s make that rule.”
Commissioners voted against opening another public hearing to discuss the fireplaces and chimneys, but asked MVC staff to review the original drawings to see whether the approved chimneys match up with what Mr. Dunn said were fireplace openings in the units.
If the chimneys and fireboxes are seen to be connected, commissioners said, they would consider the fireplaces approved. The variation in chimney styles remains to be resolved.
