The Edgartown planning board has unanimously approved a 10-lot subdivision on 7.11 acres of land on Mullen Way.

The subdivision plan proposed by Michael Kidder brought a full crowd to the planning board’s Tuesday night meeting. In 2006, Mr. Kidder proposed a nine-lot subdivision for the property which was referred to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and subsequently withdrawn.

Subdivision with nine lots is planned for Mullen Way.

Mark Lovewell

Subdivision with nine lots is planned for Mullen Way.

Mark Lovewell

The most recent subdivision plan calls for nine buildable lots and one open space lot of 1.71 acres. Plans call for nine single family homes of 2,800 square feet which will be built over three years. The board of health has restricted the homes to four bedrooms.

The development at 19 Mullen Way is the second one planned by Mr. Kidder for the neighborhood. In September, the Edgartown planning board endorsed a Form A application from Mr. Kidder to divide a lot at 23 Mullen Way into two half-acre lots.

The 2006 plan led to a discussion about the character of Mullen Way, a small dead-end street that runs off Pease’s Point Way just outside the village. An attempt to designate the neighborhood as a district of critical planning concern was later turned down by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.

“Mullen Way is a dead end road with the width of an alleyway,” the DCPC nomination said in part. “It is an older neighborhood consisting predominantly of small bungalow houses built in the early 1900s. The houses are typically built close to the line of the road as was the custom before the automobile became commonplace.”

This plan again raised concern from abutters, who said adding more homes on the narrow road would create a safety concern and threaten the character of the neighborhood.

David Young was one of several Mullen Way residents who spoke against the project, citing safety concerns for the children who live on the street.

“We are greatly concerned that there will be a significant safety issue as a consequence,” Mr. Young said. He also predicted a “significant change in the environment . . . in a neighborhood that is very special and very classic for Edgartown. It’s not going to be the same and degraded dramatically as a consequence.”

Other residents said the road is not wide enough for two cars. The paved portion of Mullen Way is about 14 feet wide. Edgartown highway superintendent Stuart Fuller told selectmen early this week that the layout would not allow for widening the road.

But others spoke in favor of the proposal, saying the narrow road was not an issue. Fire chief Peter Shemeth attended the meeting and said he did not foresee safety concerns with the size of the street.

Another selling point for the planning board was Mr. Kidder’s proposal to add two fire hydrants and an eight-inch water main that would connect to an existing main on Mullen Way. The Edgartown water superintendent said this would upgrade water distribution and fire protection in the neighborhood.

Melissa Vincent, who grew up on Mullen Way, supported the plan.

“I believe that it is the best possible outcome for a subdivision for that piece of property,” she said, noting that the plan kept open space and showed consideration for the neighbors.

In the end the board voted 5-0 to approve the plan. “I can’t vote against this project just because of the width of the road. There are several roads narrower than this,” said board member Michael McCourt. He said the plan appeared to be well thought-out and provided open space. “I’m in favor,” he said.

Conditions of approval include adding the eight-inch water main, no tennis courts, no guest houses, putting utilities underground, creating a neighborhood association and making plans for snow removal, and required approval from the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program and the Edgartown conservation commission.

The board also asked the applicant to work with the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank to create a trail easement connecting Clevelandtown Road to the Robinson Road recreation area.

The board voted against referring the project to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. Ellen Kaplan, an attorney representing some of the abutters opposed to the project, suggested that the project might require mandatory referral to the commission.

“So you’re saying this is regional impact here?” said planning board chairman Fred Mascolo. “We are a town board, between all of us we’ve lived here over 100 years and I think this is an Edgartown decision. I don’t see this as regional impact, where someone in West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah needs to weigh in on Edgartown needs.”