The owner of an Aquinnah property has been issued cease and desist orders by two town officials who claim he has done widespread construction in violation of state and local wetland regulations.
The owner of an Aquinnah property has been issued cease and desist orders by two town officials who claim he has done widespread construction in violation of state and local wetland regulations.
Jeff Elghanayan, owner of 5 Mariners View Lane, was sent a cease and desist order on June 3 signed by Aquinnah conservation agent and conservation commission chairwoman Sarah Thulin. According to the order, Mr. Eghanayan constructed multiple buildings, performed driveway hardscaping work and completed extensive landscaping work including the installation of a pond.
“There has been no ‘order of conditions’ issued by the Aquinnah conservation commission for the above work at 5 Mariners View Lane,” reads the order. “This is an order to cease and desist all work.”
A separate cease and desist order from the town building inspector and correspondence between town counsel Michael Goldsmith and Mr. Elghanayan’s Edgartown-based lawyer Martin V. Tomassian were provided to the Gazette by town administrative assistant Sophia Welch.
The unsigned and undated order written by building inspector Lenny Jason alleges Mr. Elghanayan made no contact with the conservation commission or planning board regarding the work. Ms. Welch confirmed the order was written by Mr. Jason.
“When you and I last spoke, I told you to go to the conservation commission and planning board,” Mr. Jason wrote. “Neither board has been in contact with you or a representative to resolve these issues.”
Mr. Jason continued, stressing that fines are on the table for the unpermitted work.
“Be aware you are subject to a zoning bylaw fine of $50 per day per violation,” he wrote. “You have a right to an appeal.”
Mr. Elghanayan obtained the 3.8 acre property in 1988, according to Aquinnah assessor’s data. His primary address is listed in Laguna Beach, Calif.
Mr. Elghanayan must appear at a public hearing before any further work is performed at the property, according to the conservation agent’s cease and desist order.
A letter dated June 7 from Mr. Goldsmith to Mr. Tomassian states Mr. Elghanayan had 30 days from the date of the letter to appeal the building inspector cease and desist order with the zoning board of appeals. Appeals for the conservation agent order must be filed with the state superior court.
A hearing date at the Aquinnah conservation commission has not yet been publicly posted.

Comments
Summered on the vineyard for
Bernard costello Alberta canadaSummered on the vineyard for 20 yrs, last time 2010
Just another example of the newer arrivals with lots of money who have erased the MVY I once knew … sad
Not defending his actions,
Alan ChilmarkNot defending his actions, but according to the article Mr. Elghanayan has owned the property for 34 years and there is no evidence he has "lots of money."
He isn’t a new arrival.
R Scott Patterson EdgartownHe isn’t a new arrival.
New or old does not give him
Hollis Smith AquinnahNew or old does not give him the right to ignore set rules and regulations
Drive a cab for the season to
George Stein OBDrive a cab for the season to see the actual progress hidden down most every road. So many sneaky modifications out there.
$50/ day fine is archaic. If
Concerned Resident Aquinnah$50/ day fine is archaic. If you want to deter this type of behavior, the fine should be much more. It’s a lot less expensive for someone to just pay the fine and continue violating the law….
omg $50 a day for what could
Dean Charetteomg $50 a day for what could add up to what a half million? a million? and the fact this owner has lived and owned the on osland property for so long is all the more that he knows better. this is a classic ask for forgiveness rather than permission. itll cost him less in the long run and he'll get what he wanted from the beginning.
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