Finding that concerns from neighbors about traffic flow and road maintenance had been adequately addressed, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission closed a public hearing on a major campus redevelopment plan for the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services Thursday.
The written record will stay open until March 18, with a post-public hearing review scheduled for the same date.
Community Services has undertaken a $17 million capital campaign to rebuild its campus in two phases. The first phase, costing around $7 million, will involve a new 10,000-square-foot early childhood center, while the second and third phases will increase parking and add a larger new main building to house administrative and clinical offices.
The project earned praise for its energy efficiency proposal, but the hearing became delayed amid concerns about traffic and safety raised by Island Elderly Housing, which owns neighboring Woodside Village, a senior living community.
Woodside, Community Services and the YMCA all share the same entrance road. The hearing was continued twice to allow the applicant to address the traffic concerns. In a letter this week, IEH asked for another delay to allow time for its own privately commissioned traffic analysis. It also recommended that the applicant obtain alternative access or resurface the entrance road when construction is complete.
IEH president Simone DeSorcy, was also skeptical that Community Services could enforce rules to prevent a main safety concern — roadside parking.
“A project of this magnitude, I implore you, needs a study and analysis of engineers looking at this,” Ms. DeSorcy said. “We might as well put in a unicorn petting zoo. That’s how preposterous some of these mitigation measures are.”
John Abrams, whose West Tisbury firm South Mountain Co. will design and build the project, had a different view. He said expanded parking at the new campus — while Community Services plans to add about 20 full-time employees parking will increase from 76 to 139 spaces — will eliminate any need for roadside parking. Mr. Abrams also said removal of a crosswalk and egress, at the request of the commission, will more than adequately address safety concerns on the road.
“We believe that we have a plan that is truly workable,” Mr. Abrams said. “We just don’t see any problems . . . and we now have a road association that can take care of any problems that arise.”
MVC executive director Adam Turner said commission planners had done turning movement counts during peak hours on Wednesday and Thursday this past week at three different points on the entrance road, and found no significant traffic issues.
“While we did notice some problems with the way the parking lot integrated, we did not notice any significant volume problems on the road,” Mr. Turner said. “It wasn’t a volume problem, it was more an operational problem.”
The commission recommended a traffic monitoring program over the next five years that would use traffic counters, meet with the road association, and provide technical assistance during and after the project. Mr. Abrams also said Community Services will add signs to prevent roadside parking.
“I think Community Services will work very hard to keep cars off that road,” he said.
A vote on the plan is expected later this month.
In other business, the commission will not require a public hearing for a modification at Post Office Square in Edgartown to replace an ice cream store with a restaurant. Developer Charles Hajjar plans to convert a former ice cream parlor in the southeast corner of the commercial space into a 30-seat year-round restaurant and buffet.
The commission also met in executive session to discuss possible litigation involving the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) bingo hall.
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