The Yellow House will stay gray until the end of next summer, according to a small change in the property’s lease agreement made at the Edgartown selectmen’s meeting last week.

Although the town entered into a 30-year lease agreement with Summer and Main LLC for the house and an adjoining smaller structure on South Summer street in October, it had not yet received official state signoff on the use of Community Preservation Act funds for the project. But with approval now in place, selectmen officially set Oct. 1, 2019, as the start date for construction on the building. Construction can begin on an adjoining smaller structure as soon as Dec. 31.

The town voted to take the dilapidated property by eminent domain for $3 million in 2017. Christopher Celeste, who owns and operates Rosewater Market nearby on South Summer street, is listed as Summer and Main LLC’s principal.

Summer and Main LLC submitted the lone bid for the property in response to an RFP that went out in July.

The new plan by the Celeste family details a $2.5 million plan to renovate the house and the small building and landscape the area to create a public plaza. The bottom floor of the house is planned as two retail shops while the top two floors will be converted to three residential apartments. The small freestanding building near the town parking lot is planned for first-floor retail space and a lofted office on the second floor.

Town counsel Ron Rappaport, who attended the meeting, clarified that the changes to the lease start date will not alter its end date, August 31, 2048.

“You’re probably as happy as we are to get these done,” selectman Margaret Serpa told Mr. Rappaport. “It’ll be nice.”

In other business, selectmen discussed proposed changes to the town marijuana bylaws. Although current B2 [Upper Main street] zoning bylaws have a moratorium on the development of any marijuana establishments, a sunset provision expires at the end of 2018. Once the provision expires, there would be no regulation in place concerning recreational marijuana establishments.

Planning board clerk Doug Finn discussed a proposed town meeting warrant article that would set specific limitations on any marijuana zoning application. The regulations would limit establishments to 2,500 square feet, prohibit establishments in residential buildings, prohibit the use of marijuana 500 feet from public buildings, schools, or anywhere children congregate, and prohibit drive-throughs. It would also prevent the town from granting any more than 20 per cent of the town’s liquor licenses as marijuana licenses. According to Mr. Finn, that would limit the town to one license.

“This needs more thorough review and see to the very specific concerns that these stores might bring,” Mr. Finn told the board.

Selectman Arthur Smadbeck inquired about a potential three per cent local tax option that would help offset some of the expenses of such establishments to the town. Mr. Finn recommended putting the three per cent local tax option on the proposed warrant article with the approval of town counsel.

The planning board will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes to the town zoning bylaws on Jan. 22.

Mr. Smadbeck thanked his fellow selectmen and Edgartown town staff for what he called a “busy and productive year.” He also thanked town administrator James Hagerty, who was sworn in by the town in May of this year.

“I just want to thank James,” Mr. Smadbeck said. “I think we are very fortunate that he stepped in and applied for this job. He’s doing a wonderful job and we are very fortunate.”