Architect Reid (Sam) Dunn’s Cottage City Bowling now goes to the town for approvals at the local level. Mr. Dunn agreed to keep sound levels at 62 decibels. The commission said the matter of a full-service bar versus beer and wine will be up to the town selectmen to decide.
A planned bowling alley and restaurant in Oak Bluffs was unanimously approved with conditions Thursday night by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
Reid (Sam) Dunn’s Cottage City Bowling now goes to the town where it needs approvals at the local level.
The architect wants to redevelop four lots on Uncas avenue into a 13,500-square-foot building with 10 bowling lanes, a 44-seat restaurant, 18-seat bar, game room and event room. Two affordable apartments and a 32-car parking lot are also planned.
Commissioners Kathy Newman and Joan Malkin confer.
Commissioners Kathy Newman and Joan Malkin confer.
The plan has been the focus of much discussion in town and at the commission, which received a large volume of letters from people both for and against the project. Noise, intrusion on a residential neighborhood and the plan to have a full bar were all points of concern.
Mr. Dunn has agreed to keep noise levels down by keeping to a 62-decibel sound limit, and he will install an advanced de-nitrification system for wastewater. He said the business will generally be open daily year-round, and last call for food, alcohol and bowling will be 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The closing time will be set by the Oak Bluffs selectmen.
The issue of full-service bar versus beer and wine was raised during public hearings and again during deliberations on Thursday, but in the end the commission decided it is a matter for the town to decide.
“We have not actually been presented with any studies, statistics or information to demonstrate that people are more rowdy after drinking hard drinks than they are after drinking large quantities of beer,” said commissioner Linda Sibley, adding that the issue was “clearly the responsibility of the town.”
Aquinnah commissioner Jim Vercruysse.
Aquinnah commissioner Jim Vercruysse.
Commissioners said the benefits of the project outweighed the detriments, and acknowledged concerns from the residents who live in the surrounding neighborhood. Commission chairman Fred Hancock said the benefits included improving derelict buildings and providing year-round recreation.
“A model project,” said commissioner John Breckenridge.
Mrs. Sibley said the commission’s review of the project as a development of regional impact is a balancing act that tips toward the town when it comes to mitigation. “This is the kind of thing that comes before us where the benefits are regional and the detriments are local,” she said. “Our job is to weigh the benefits versus the detriments, but also the job of mitigating the local issues lies largely with the town, and they seem to have many powers to deal with this.”
Nine commissioners voted in favor of the project: Clarence A. (Trip) Barnes 3rd, John Breckenridge, Christina Brown, Madeline Fisher, Josh Goldstein, Fred Hancock, Joan Malkin, Kathy Newman and Linda Sibley. Commissioner Doug Sederholm recused himself, and commissioners W. Karl McLaurin, Brian Smith and Jim Vercruysse were at the meeting but ineligible to vote because they missed public hearings.
Comments
Although the Commission has
ReasonableAlthough the Commission has been criticized of late, it does seem like they have made improvements that will benefit everyone.
Commonsense is not so common,
John Gault Oak BluffsCommonsense is not so common, just look at the MVC. Just an opinion on the MVC.
"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves."
... Abraham Lincoln
Its time for MVC to go and allow the ELECTED people in each town do, as Spike Lee would say "Do the right Thing"
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