Islanders want the new Stop and Shop to be better in every way but do they understand that it will also be twice the size of the current store.

Observing nature and geology are lifelong interests and passions of mine, and some of the reasons I fell in love with this beautiful Island, like so many other people who choose to live in Chilmark.

I am a West Tisbury property owner and four-month-a-year Martha’s Vineyard resident and I have never approved of chain stores establishing themselves on the Island. This is one of the few populated places that is not swamped with the same boring establishments. The plan to increase the size of the current Stop & Shop in Vineyard Haven is a dreadful idea. It will be an unwelcoming eyesore and will make traffic backups and town parking a nightmare.

I am writing this letter to voice my objection to the proposed Stop and Shop in Vineyard Haven. This project is simply too big for the site, and will consequently have deep and severe impacts on traffic, parking, visual appeal and our already sensitive environment.

I urge you to deny the Stop & Shop application DRI 89-M3 for the following reasons:

• By allowing the applicant to submit information after the fact, and not requiring that this data be provided up front so that you can review it, you are shirking your duty as specified in Chapter 831. In addition, it can be argued that you do not have a complete submission.

The following letter was sent to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.

I believe you should deny the Stop & Shop application, as presented, for the following reasons: