The owner of a waterfront home next door to the historic Vose boathouse in Edgartown filed a lawsuit last week in an effort to prevent neighbors from renting the property for weddings.
The owner of a waterfront home next door to the historic Vose boathouse in Edgartown’s Tower Hill section filed a lawsuit last week in an effort to prevent its neighbors from renting the property for weddings in the shoulder season.
A complaint was filed Feb. 22 in Massachusetts Land Court by Edgartown Harbor LLC, a limited liability company, against the Edgartown planning board, its individual members and the Vose family trust, which owns the boathouse and adjacent property. Edgartown Harbor is linked in town assessment records to Mark McGoldrick, although his name does not appear in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit seeks to invalidate a special permit granted unanimously by the planning board on Jan. 18 that allows the Julien W. Vose Family LLC to hold up to four for-profit events per year on their property, which includes the boathouse, a barn, a garage and a bowling alley dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The property has been in the Vose family since 1904, when it was purchased by piano manufacturer Julian W. Vose. He founded the trust in 1935 for the benefit of his descendants. Edgartown Harbor LLC purchased the abutting property in 2006.
In its decision to grant the special permit, the planning board found that the family’s history of hosting nonprofit events at the site was “hugely beneficial to Edgartown and the Island as a whole,” and noted that holding events for profit was an effort by the family to keep and maintain the property.
But in its complaint, Edgartown Harbor LLC contends the permit violates both the express terms and the spirit of town bylaws.
“Vose’s application should not even have reached a vote,” the complaint states in part. “The described use is in direct violation of multiple provisions for the Edgartown zoning bylaws, and Vose’s proposed uses were not even theoretically eligible to receive special permit approval.”
The Vose family filed an application for a special permit last October to hold not more than two weddings in May or June and two in September or October with up to 300 guests, not including staff. Use of the boathouse would be limited to receiving the wedding couple by boat and for photos of the immediate family. Parking would be available for up to 35 vehicles; other guests would be shuttled in, the application says.
“These events will have the tents and the accompanying supports normally provided for weddings and will take place after the majority of close neighbors have left the Island,” the application reads in part.
In a separate communication to abutters, the family noted that the family has used the property for years to host family events, allowed nonprofit organization to hold fundraising benefits there and recently began renting it to non-family members for weddings to defray the costs of maintaining the property.
“With housing changing owners, a growing summer population and updated town regulations requiring permits for tents, the trustees of the VFT began a review of our practices and concluded we need to offer the town and neighbors relevant information about the property usage and ensure we comply with the bylaws of the town to maintain communal harmony,” the statement reads.
Edgartown Harbor contends, among other things, that the proposed use of the property is not a conditionally permitted use as outlined in the town zoning bylaws and that the planning board’s decision’s lacked proper findings.
Edgartown Harbor is represented by Vineyard Haven attorneys Erik Hammarlund and Casey J. Dobel.
The case has been assigned to the Hon. Robert B. Foster. No hearing date has been set.
Comments
Mark McGoldrick, or
Ralph j Edgartown/NYCMark McGoldrick, or “Edgartown harbor LLC” whatever you prefer to go by, just buy a different house rather than trying to change the way your neighbors have used their property for nearly a century. These legal skirmishes among the super rich are disgusting and a drain on this island. Stop detracting and put your efforts into finding a way to be a contributing member of society here.
Couldn’t agree more, very
Anne EdgartownCouldn’t agree more, very well said.
Leave the Vose family alone.
Susan Desmarais Oak BluffsLeave the Vose family alone. They always have been and will continue to be stand up people. They are trustworthy, care about Edgartown and the island community.
What a disgusting lawsuit. 4
Jennifer EdgartownWhat a disgusting lawsuit. 4 events. And this freaks Mark McGoldrick out? I feel sad for the Vose family. Edgartown is now run by lawyers and lawsuits.
If this lawsuit is decided in
Shelley EdgartownIf this lawsuit is decided in favor of plaintiffs, it will set a very bad precedent, indeed.
Totally agree with Jennifer.
Nyx EdinburghTotally agree with Jennifer.
4 events?
Get a life and stop with the frivolous litigation!
The Vose Boathouse has been
Brad ChappyThe Vose Boathouse has been donated to MV nonprofits for fundraisers for decades…Let’s not penalize these folks…An amazing piece of history.
100% in agreement with the
Bob Edgartown100% in agreement with the other comments and it shows the kind of person this is that will not even use his real name and hides behind an LLC. Let’s talk about moving in next to a church and complaining about the bells.
Just because the owners are
just a thought edgJust because the owners are long time descendants does not grant them the right to disturb the quiet enjoyment of their neighbors. This is not some struggling single mom native trying to feed a family. I recall the family was trying to sell the vacant lot next door for close to $14 million a few years ago. (not sure if it sold) while retaining ownership of the boathouse and main house. These are homes in a 25 million dollar neighborhood. I'd like to have their sort of 'money problems' trying to 'defray costs' to maintain a waterfront estate that was handed to them.
Goldman Sachs-style lawyering
SAF ChilmarkGoldman Sachs-style lawyering up again. What a shameful waste of energy, time and money.
i live in a 3 bedroom center
rob the roofer new jerseyi live in a 3 bedroom center hall colonial house in northern nj. and i don't have any other home to go to, thats it , it's all i got no boat no time share one car and i can't wait till september to get my week or if im lucky 10 days on the island in my annual rental for the last 27 years straight. Did someone say theres a problem with one of the familys that own one of those homes on the Edgartown Harbor?
I’m sure I don’t know
Trish EdgartownI’m sure I don’t know anything about anything- but it does seem like if they already have had a precedence of public events there for decades - then why all the fuss now? Because now they will make some money off of it in order to keep it up so it doesn’t fall into disrepair?
I mean because as their neighbor you knew that they used it for events before you bought your house nearby.
The question is what’s your real issue besides that fact that your house may be empty when an event is going on? Can’t a non profit event could be happening when you (and neighbours) are away anyway?
Separately- that structure has been a charming part of the harbor for over 100 years and the family has provided a beautiful spot to share with its community for the last several decades. Very generous.
Maybe the litigious neighbor doesn’t want it to eventually become the next “hot” wedding destination every weekend. Now that kinda makes sense bc it’s in a tiny quiet corner of a residential area- which is not set up for that- but then why not just SAY that! Or ask for certain restrictions like zero parking or limited guests, no alcohol, (haha) etc so there is no drunk and disorderly conduct in a quiet neighborhood.
Doesn’t add up to me but one thing is for sure - I don’t know anything about anything! Good luck sorting it out!
Seems like maybe they need to
Patrick EdgartownSeems like maybe they need to build a bigger fence, good neighbors and such. There are plenty of private properties on this island that hold multiple private events per year. Not sure of specifics in why they think the Voses should be held to a higher standard, they did their due diligence to get a permit. Your talking four days a year to help them out weigh the costs of keeping the property upkept.
I assume when the Bank was
money problems mvyI assume when the Bank was sold the 'heirs' got a nice buck. It's nice to hold nonprofit fundraisers and its admirable and appreciated. But that has no bearing upon this commercial venue. If one of the long time seasonal harborfront residents (who generously open their checkbooks for island charities annually) asked for the same special permit for their waterfront property, would the comments be so pro-commercial-enterprise?
God Bless the Vose family and
Trip Barnes vineyard havenGod Bless the Vose family and all the charitable work they have done and shared what they have with us.They sure as hell are not elitist they are a family who helped make Edgartown and many good causes successful ..ENOUGH SAID
Echoing Mr. Barnes’ sentiment
Tony B EdgartownEchoing Mr. Barnes’ sentiment with: Enough is Enough - send these NIMBYs back under the rock they crawled out from under and leave the Voss family alone.
This guy ought to know.
Islander On IslandThis guy ought to know. Listen up people.
you bought your property
paul brewer edgartownyou bought your property knowing what was next door if you do not like it MOVE
I might be one of the last
Carol Oak BluffsI might be one of the last people to defend the Goldmanic approach towards community relations, but that said, I think the issue is zoning. If a for- profit event venue/commercially run hospitality facility can move in to a single family residential zone there could be an unfavorable outcome to more people than EDG Harbor LLC.
The Vose family has helped so
Connie Andrade EdgartownThe Vose family has helped so many including me. I worked at edgartown national bank for 14 years working closely with the Vose family. People have to remember Mr. Vose passed and if you look at how much they pay for property tax each year, you'd understand the desire to raise alittle money. The Vose's are respected island icons and should be left alone. To the Vose's...thank you for all you did for me and my family.
We all deserve peace and
Jill Charette VHWe all deserve peace and quiet including wealthy. If the problem is proven in court many people will be eating their words. Let it play out thats what America is. If he wants to sue let him sue and if he's wrong you may gloat for as long as it make you all feel better in your lives. good luck to both parties
So after 16 years, an unnamed
Ken Rusczyk OBSo after 16 years, an unnamed seasonal neighbor has had enough! What is legally permitted should now be outlawed. Why? Because he's inconvenienced by people having fun four times a year in a beautiful, historic building.
Poor,poor NIMBY baby
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