The West Tisbury selectmen on Wednesday agreed to review zoning rules for the Agricultural Hall, after chairman Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter 3rd expressed concern that the number of events held each year on the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society grounds off Panhandle Road may be over the limit. Mr. Manter cited a memo from 1998 written by town counsel Ronald H. Rappaport to building and zoning inspector Leonard Jason Jr. stating the use of the property was limited by the town zoning bylaws and agricultural preservation restriction. The document states that five weddings plus three other events customarily incidental to a permitted use can take place.
Mr. Manter said he believes that the organization is not in violation for the agricultural preservation restriction, or the number of weddings held each year, but that the number of events outside of weddings should be reviewed.
“They’re renting it to organizations beyond what they’re allowed. There’s a zoning issue . . . I think it needs to be looked at,” Mr. Manter said.
He continued, “They can use it themselves for fundraisers and what they want, but renting out the facility increases the incidental use.”
Mr. Manter requested the selectmen seek guidance from the building inspector on the issue.
“Okay so we can use this opportunity to review the zoning and move forward with it,” said selectman Cynthia Mitchell.
In other business, selectmen voted to open the shellfish season for family permit holders on Nov. 1 and commercial fishermen on Nov. 3. The town shellfish resources are primarily oysters. The season runs to April 30. Town administrator Jennifer Rand gave an update on the annual holiday party planned for Dec. 11 at the Agricultural Hall. Ms. Rand said she emailed a handful of West Tisbury oystermen to check their availability for helping to cater the party but has not heard back from anyone yet.
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