The Edgartown select board this week requested the Martha’s Vineyard Commission not impose income-based restrictions for part of a controversial housing development plan. 

In a letter sent to the MVC sent on Monday, the select board wrote it has “serious concerns” that fixed income restrictions on the Katama Meadows development proposal’s town-owned lots would limit Edgartown’s ability to meet housing needs. Plans for the subdivision are currently under commission review. 

The proposal is off Meeting House Way. — Courtesy town of Edgartown

“The town remains committed to ensuring these lots are used to advance year-round housing objectives and believes it is best positioned to determine how to do so effectively as conditions evolve,” the letter wrote.

Katama Meadows is a 54-acre subdivision proposal off Meeting House Way put forth by Utah-based developers Douglas Anderson and Richard Matthews. The project was formerly known as Meeting House Way and has undergone several redesigns.

The most recent proposal includes 26 market-rate lots and designates 12 year-round homesite lots for people making up to 250 per cent of the Dukes County area median income. It would also donate 14 lots to the town with income restrictions that have yet to be determined.

In the letter, the board wrote that MVC-imposed deed restrictions of below 150 per cent of the area median would interfere with the town’s intent to meet housing needs for municipal workers and the “missing middle” population, a growing group of residents who earn too much to be eligible for affordable housing but not enough to afford a home on-Island. The select board wanted the flexibility to determine income restrictions as market conditions and workforce demands change.

Select board member Art Smadbeck said a low turnout of applicants for townhouses at the Meshacket Commons development was a reason the town requested flexibility. 

“We had people who were interested but they didn’t qualify because of the income restriction, and that’s one of the reasons that we wanted to do this,” said select board member Art Smadbeck.

One of the Meshacket Commons townhouses was restricted at 120 per cent area median income with a municipal employee preference, but saw no municipal employee applicants. The board wrote the outcome indicates that moderate area median income thresholds are not viable for missing middle households. 

The board wrote it has previously had municipal control throughout other programs, which is critical to achieving successful outcomes for missing middle households.

The MVC will continue its public hearing on the Katama Meadows proposal Thursday at 6:30 p.m.