The Martha’s Vineyard Commission this week agreed to allow three previously-denied fireplaces at a mixed-use condominium complex in downtown Vineyard Haven, in exchange for the developer’s pledge to allow no further propane appliances anywhere on the property.
Reid (Sam) Dunn’s Stone Bank project was built with seven fireplaces and chimneys, only four of which had appeared on the plans the commission approved in 2021.
The commission last month denied the extra fireplaces and chimneys, telling Mr. Dunn he needed to either rip them out or come back with an alternative proposal.
One potential solution, raised at the September meeting by commissioner Ben Robinson, would have made all three fireplaces wood-burning, instead of one; the other two are propane-burning.
Thursday night, Mr. Dunn promised commissioners that if they approved the three fireplaces, there would be no new installation of propane appliances at the Stone Bank complex and any replacement of existing propane water heaters would be with electric heaters.
Propane-burning kitchens in the residential units and the restaurant will be allowed to remain gas-fueled, under the agreement reached Thursday.
Commissioner Kate Putnam voted no and Carole Vandal abstained from the vote allowing the fireplaces, with other commissioners in favor.
Mr. Dunn also received approval to relocate one of the restaurant’s bathrooms and expand a sprinkler room.
Among other business Thursday, the commission declined to review a property subdivision on Lagoon Pond Road in Vineyard Haven and modifications to the communications tower on Carroll Way in Oak Bluffs, sending the applications back to their respective town governments.
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