The controversial 97 Spring street redevelopment in Vineyard Haven continues to attract litigation, with neighbors appealing the approval of a septic permit for the nine-bedroom, nine-bathroom house while its owner contests the dismissal of his conspiracy suit against the neighbors and two Tisbury officials.
The controversial 97 Spring street redevelopment in Vineyard Haven continues to attract litigation, with neighbors appealing the approval of a septic permit for the nine-bedroom, nine-bathroom house while its owner contests the dismissal of his conspiracy suit against the neighbors and two Tisbury officials.
Spring street residents Bernadette and Leigh Cormie, who own two lots directly abutting the house built by owner Xerxes Aghassipour, last month filed an appeal of the Tisbury zoning board of appeals’ August decision to issue a septic permit for the building, which the Cormies contend is a boarding house and not a single-family dwelling.
“There was an overwhelming amount of evidence that the permit for a ‘Single Family Residence’ was in fact inaccurate and not compatible with the truth,” the couple wrote in their appeal dated Sept 24.
The Cormies further allege that the zoning board of appeals improperly failed to file its written decision with the Tisbury town clerk.
The couple already have challenged other permits for the house, filing suit in Massachusetts Land Court last November against the town, the zoning board, Tisbury building commissioner Gregory Monka and Mr. Aghassipour.
Mr. Aghassipour, in turn, sued the Cormies — along with planning board member Ben Robinson and board administrator Amy Upton —for conspiracy to undermine his business and tarnish his reputation.
Filed Jan. 8 in Dukes County Superior Court, Mr. Aghassipour’s lawsuit was dismissed in July and Mr. Aghassipour appealed the decision on Sept. 16. The appeal with the state appeals court has not started in earnest; briefs have not been filed and no date has been set for a hearing.
Spring street area residents have been organizing against Mr Aghassipour’s development for more than a year, saying the project will create traffic and parking woes and its use for workforce housing will degrade the quality of life in the neighborhood.
The Tisbury planning board sought to refer the project to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, but executive director Adam Turner turned down the request in September, 2024, writing that it did not meet the commission’s guidelines for consideration as a development of regional impact.
Commissioners later reversed Mr. Turner’s decision, voting 10-4 in November, 2024 to take up the project for review.
The commission’s public hearing on 97 Spring street began in February and concluded in June with a 7-5 decision in Mr. Aghassipour’s favor, clearing the way for him to resume the local permitting process.
Comments
It’s time to move on.
Mark VHIt’s time to move on.
Donate this building to
Tom Engley West TisburyDonate this building to harbor homes. And be done with it.
It’s not time to move on and
Here We Go Again Vineyard HavenIt’s not time to move on and It’s not time to hand over 97 Spring Street to “affordable housing” and walk away.
97 Spring Street stands for workforce housing , a lifeline that keeps our island thriving with young, hardworking people who support our community, our institutions, and our way of life.
If 97 Spring Street were being developed for teachers, volunteered or paid firefighters, or police officers instead of for wind energy workers, would we all be rallying behind it? Would we be calling it a sensible cause then?
There are many people quietly championing this project right now and it’s often the silent majority doing the right thing while a loud minority tries to drown them out. Hanging signs, spreading negativity, or letting their properties decay doesn’t strengthen our neighborhoods it drags them down.
This owner is doing the opposite: investing, improving, and making the area more attractive one lot at a time. That should be celebrated, not attacked.
Don’t let a handful of loud voices hijack a legitimate process. The process the loud voices put in motion. The MVC, The town, The State and now the courts. .
Don’t give up. Don’t throw in the towel like so many of us have before. Keep fighting against the injustice that the instigators started. 97, you have uncovered the truth and know that many of us deeply appreciate your persistence and courage. We may not all have the strength to stand on the front lines, but we see what you’re doing, and we’re grateful.
If, by the grace of God, we can continue to live and work here and if our children and grandchildren can still call this island home, it will be because of people like you.
Don’t let the noise distract from the truth:
In the end, 97 Spring Street will stand as a win for everyone.
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