A massive project to redevelop the Tisbury Marine Terminal on Beach Road flew through its public hearing process at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission Thursday, seeing no opposition.
A massive project to redevelop the Tisbury marine terminal on Beach Road for the burgeoning offshore wind industry breezed through its public hearing process at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission Thursday, seeing no opposition and brief statements of support.
The lack of public testimony came as a shock to commissioners.
“I wish there were more people showing up,” commissioner Christine Todd said. “It’s a big project, and where is everyone?”
Proposed as a two-part development that would expand and modify the R. M. Packer Company’s existing marine terminal at the far end of Beach Road in Vineyard Haven, the project is one of the largest waterfront developments to come before the commission in recent years and includes the creation of a new 40,000 square foot pier deck and bulkhead, three vessel berthing areas and more than 70,000 square feet of underwater dredging.
The northern section of the property will remain part of the Tisbury marine terminal barging operations. Improvements include a new pier and barge ramps, with the intent of increasing barge capacity.
Currently open shorefront, the property’s southern section will be redeveloped as a service station for offshore wind farm maintenance, including the new pier deck, vessel berths, a nearly 200-foot bulkhead that stretches into the harbor and a public lookout.
According to testimony from the applicants, Mr. Packer will lease the property to Vineyard Wind, which is set to begin construction on an 800-megawatt wind farm 15 miles south of the Island. The terms of the lease have not been publicly discussed, although Richard Andre, executive director of Vineyard Power — an Island-based partner for Vineyard Wind — said it would be long-term, likely in the 20-year range.
Construction of the operations and maintenance terminal will directly lead to six full-time jobs on the Island, according to applicant testimony, with annual salaries between $70,000 and $100,000. The applicant has not provided an affordable housing proposal.
The project represents the first of what will likely be two additional developments of regional impact set to come before the commission, including the construction of a facility building and more than 50 residential housing units at the site of the former Hinckley’s property at 61 Beach Road. An additional 40 jobs are expected to be generated from the construction of the facility building, according to the applicant proposal.
The Hinckley’s mixed use development remains on hold, according to commission staff. At least six state and federal permits are required for the waterfront redevelopment, including dredge permits and a certificate from the Environmental Protection Agency.
At Thursday’s continued public hearing, applicants spoke about the project’s climate change resilience, saying that the project elevation would be high enough to sustain a 50-year storm, but that it wasn’t feasible to dredge for a 100-year storm event. The project is being designed to mesh with a possible larger effort to raise Beach Road, which sits approximately 4 feet above sea level.
In terms of traffic, the project is expected to generate about 36 additional trips to the site per day at peak summer, with travel limited during the early morning and late evening. Applicants also said that the improvements to the barge terminal could potentially alleviate freight traffic loads in Woods Hole and on the Steamship Authority.
After fielding a variety of questions from commissioners concerning affordable housing, traffic and stormwater drainage, project applicants heard from two members of the public who spoke briefly in favor of the development, pointing to their support for Vineyard Wind and the green energy sector.
“We have to get this wind farm built, if we’re going to stop climate change and sea level rise,” said former commissioner and Oak Bluffs resident Richard Toole. “I would like to endorse the project.”
Bill Lake, an Aquinnah resident, said the project had massive implications for both the Island, and the region.
“Vineyard Wind will produce energy to support 400,000 homes in Massachusetts,” Mr. Lake said. “It’s a very important part of our response to the climate crisis, and I’m very much in favor of it.”
When no other hands came up to testify, commissioners then promptly closed the public hearing — in both shock and awe at the speed of the process. The written record will remain open until Oct. 4, at 12 noon.
Commission Linda Sibley voiced her theory on the abnormally fast public process.
“When there is sort of unanimous support of a project, or strong support of it, the public says, this is a night I can afford to ignore that,” Ms. Sibley said. “And I’m really not kidding when I say I first observed this close to 40 years ago.”
In other business, the commission voted to reopen the written record on a demolition proposal for 19 Mill Square road in Oak Bluffs after suggesting architectural alterations to the initial building proposal. Deliberation and decision on the project is scheduled for a meeting on Sept. 30.

Comments
How about a scale model for
Christine VHHow about a scale model for the public to view? This floating dock is said to be 40,000 square feet that’s about the size of a football field. Has the Army Corps of engineers been involved in what will be an obstruction in our harbors waterway? 50 units at the old Hinckley’s property is laughable considering we can’t even provide existing properties with sewage. Can you imagine the traffic on Beach Road? And no I didn’t know there was a public meeting I would have been a voice against this project. Follow the $
If this monstrous project is
John Fuller ChilmarkThis giant ship landing in VH is a trojan horse, if this monstrous project is completed there will be many dead sea and migrating birds on South Beach from collisions with the massive blades.
If global warming continues
Nancy Owens EdgartownIf global warming continues unabated there will be far more dead fish, animals, and birds. Stop with the hysteria.
Dont worry… if we dont
Paul Snorbin WTDont worry… if we dont address climate change, south beach will be gone anyway, dummy.
Couldn't agree more with Paul
edward spalding Ft Lauderdale / EdgartownCouldn't agree more with Paul and Nancy-the wind farm and many more like it along with solar and best of all hydrogen are all MUST DOs.
You didn’t need to add the
Christine SengeYou didn’t need to add the word, “dummy.”
It weakens your point.
Where is everyone you ask Ms.
Susan Desmarais Oak BluffsWhere is everyone you ask Ms. Todd. Many of us are feeling pretty cynical about the MVC these days. Happy to say more if you want to grab a cup of coffee.
This is way too much, let’s
Mark EdgartownThis is way too much, let’s hit the pause button to really understand the environmental and infrastructure impact.
At the five year mark of
George Stein Oak BluffsAt the five year mark of consideration of athletic fields for the high school do these projects happen in our lifetimes ? Diversion have a hold over achieving accomplishments.
Let’s hope we can have a new
Bob EdgartownLet’s hope we can have a new marina built as quickly as this project sailed through. We need more boat slips more than we need this marina. I am one of hundreds of people looking for a place to dock my boat. This island has a shortage of boating docks. Which is funny as we are an Island but no place to dock your boat.
Why aren’t there requirements
Jim ChappyWhy aren’t there requirements for these developers to contribute beautification to the harbors?
This project will remove the nice stretch of beach that currently is there — why can’t they add some beachfront, some public dockspace and some fishing access?
Where are our elected officials voices in calling for the greening of our waterfront so development is more balanced?
Seems as though the island I
Mary Summer islander - 55 yearsSeems as though the island I have loved my whole life is slowly slipping away and yes as some have said, it does appear to be all about money. I truly feel for all islanders as this will further change island life. It is very difficult to find affordable housing for workers and islanders. When children of islanders cannot afford to stay on the island they have called home all their life, we should be asking why? And doing something about it. I am not sure this is in the best interest of the island I love! Who will this project really be serving!
Yes! So much more room to
Jess OBYes! So much more room to bring more STUFF. Where will this stuff go? Where will the old stuff go? What will be the environmental impact of the constant cycling of stuff? Who cares- that’s capitalism! New stuff, more stuff!
I am not in favor of offshore
Katherine Scott TisburyI am not in favor of offshore wind.@@
I didnt' realize there was a public hearing.@@
I'll certainly try to find time to frame my views by the Oct. 4 deadline. @@
I urge all those who have commented here to do the same. @@
You need to get your comments into the official public record. @@
I would appreciate it if the Gazette could print the correct MVC email address in this comment thread, including the number of the application. @@
Aunts (TIA, thanks in advance).
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