[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6374407,"mediaKeyId","2144694-314eb866dd0e4d4cd678a166c121564f","parentId",2144694,"title","Planning Board delays action on pickleball court regulation, asks staff for alternatives and public outreach","audioSeconds",2886,"startMs",2668000,"endMs",5554000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144694-314eb866dd0e4d4cd678a166c121564f&start=2668&end=5554","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144694-314eb866dd0e4d4cd678a166c121564f/thumbnail_2668000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6374407/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Planning-Board-delays-action-on-pickleball-court-regulation-asks-staff-for-alternatives-and-public-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374407-b757e72a1485a131b35d211c4a953dc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111705&Signature=Moi~CaXuonDzVFKL54y3wdz42tjDUTNQfnhEEr5ktMWREpRKki6ADciZ9F3413J~~yR7ErzawmtQ7J3YUwotb2vmmjZCWkv6HHeIYnDYra-E-U8t8JtqNrBiC~JdpGeLC5W54GPkmh0wXFhqLzzYYsdxQBdLHWyhoWOkEkt~MGW~EfQceu959s8b3kLeEEp2pxEAHJX7jvT~HcGp90RyHG98ymjvTmeMQNr-z~XDo54jl3AOgx2eObhA~5nzfPc6wUAJqMknkYaOapN70Hh-vc4G0S~2l09SiaNUaZPJ01JiZwYKbEgFwRpIiLSqp9FPUKR2eIwUQqjfOB1oL3lmaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town-County of Nantucket, MA","date","2025-01-02T19:15:17Z","article","At its Jan. 22 special meeting the Planning Board opened discussion on a zoning‑bylaw article that would restrict or prohibit pickleball courts. The article was introduced by planning staff as a starting point for community discussion; staff said the version in the warrant is intentionally restrictive so Town Meeting and the board can consider less‑restrictive alternatives.

Why it matters: neighbors have raised frequent complaints about the sound profile and frequency of play for pickleball courts. Multiple commenters told the board the characteristic high‑frequency paddle hits (several public commenters and an acoustical consultant cited roughly 1.2 kHz) have an outsized nuisance effect compared with other court sports.

Presentations and applicant concerns: staff explained that existing zoning treats “game courts” as accessory uses and that there are currently no district‑specific prohibitions or required noise‑mitigation measures for private courts. Historic District Commission (HDC) reviewers have received contested applications for courts; neighbors have turned to HDC when external design/visibility issues arise but HDC does not regulate all noise impacts.

Public input: dozens of residents and several board members described neighborhood examples. Speakers included neighbors who reported a proposed court sited within 50 feet of an abutting house on a long narrow lot; HDC members and residents urged mitigation rather than an outright ban. Comments called for options including: (a) a flat prohibition in high‑density residential districts; (b) a special‑permit path with mandatory buffering, acoustical mitigation (panels, landscaping, enclosures), and time limits; (c) defining sport courts generically so applicants cannot label a court a “tennis court” while using it primarily for pickleball.

Board direction: after wide public comment the board concluded the January discussion but did not adopt an approach. Members generally favored further study and outreach and suggested staff draft alternatives: a district‑based prohibition, special‑permit standards, model mitigation measures (sound‑deadening barriers or enclosures, setback minimums), and suggested referral paths (HDC review plus ZBA/special permit). The board voted to continue the discussion to the Feb. 6 meeting to allow staff time to craft options for public consideration.

What was not decided: the board made no recommendation to Town Meeting on Jan. 22. Staff will return with draft language and recommended findings and conditions for the board to review in February.

Technical notes: commenters and board members referenced an acoustical study and national guidance; mechanisms under consideration include decibel limits, frequency analysis, setback distances, landscaping, and enclosures; staff also noted enforcement could fall to public‑safety noise enforcement if a court is built without zoning approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Nantucket Planning Board - January 23, 2025 (Special Meeting)","oneSentenceSummary","After significant public comment about noise and neighborhood impact, the Planning Board on Jan. 22 voted to continue drafting a bylaw addressing private pickleball courts and asked staff to return with alternatives and mitigation options.","taxTitle","Nantucket County, Massachusetts","taxId",61456,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374412,"Planning Board continues debate on 'cottage community' zoning amendment after extended public comment on density and water risks",3199,1796000,4995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144694-314eb866dd0e4d4cd678a166c121564f&start=1796&end=4995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144694-314eb866dd0e4d4cd678a166c121564f/thumbnail_1796000.jpg","/articles/6374412/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Planning-Board-continues-debate-on-cottage-community-zoning-amendment-after-extended-public-comment-on-density-and-water-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374412-05d1ddc5f1ea7f534fd84a56adca5536/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111705&Signature=DHjqHnYcgFCb0x00dBh7g7GO1B4bCNVC72Z~LSVUUmjDJAm1kvhb8GE9SW30RB93ZIBT8CyWifrA5G95qyktSFwdk2b6YEAlVtOTmHRL6gIIa8XRvC7V7sXw9lye68iKC3XXbPdjHgcN7yeHHo45mJtoeFcGkuVflbdcI5jvWu9LXop9fxZqcQFictv-O-VWHjIWnWa4jRIVO-t5~z~KvV3Qb80t~~XTQwPV~P2BkrWyeBcnD8GCgNfTuN-XCsQitPMhaSzGsRaz6KxkMZqusHLGADuoNl7C7DFUBkA9cmrI6yrmpVXluTRew4sQkxPmStSKxN3haqUDCUiz3SjERA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Jan. 22 special meeting, the Nantucket Planning Board continued its public hearing on a proposed zoning amendment to allow a new \"cottage community\" development type after more than an hour of technical presentation and public comment.

Planning Department staff member Megan Trudell summarized the draft: the proposal would create a special-permit “cottage community” option intended to support year‑round homeownership for households making up to 240% of Area Median Income (AMI). It would be allowed only on conforming lots in specified residential and some commercial/mixed-use districts, require deed restrictions enforced through the town’s Affordable Housing Trust, limit new cottage units to three bedrooms and 24 feet in height, and require site‑plan review, parking, clustering and open‑space standards.

Why it matters: supporters say the model can produce smaller ownership units targeted to local needs; opponents warn the draft, as written, could enable a large increase in dwelling units on some parcels, stressing roads, septic/sewer and water systems and potentially increasing exposure of municipal wells to PFAS contamination.

Board and staff details: Trudell said the deed‑restriction monitoring would be administered through the Affordable Housing Trust and that the draft excludes preexisting nonconforming lots. She described a density formula in the draft and said the units must be owner‑occupied year‑round; short‑term rentals would not be permitted under the current draft.

Public comments: multiple residents and stakeholder organizations spoke at length. Art Gasparo reviewed parcel‑level scenarios and said the proposal could produce far more units on some lots than currently allowed, producing unintended overdevelopment. Several residents, including a speaker who identified a personal history of thyroid cancer, urged the board to pause the amendment until the town clarifies water‑supply and PFAS remediation plans. Emily Molden of the Nantucket Land and Water Council and other public commenters requested a fuller infrastructure impacts analysis before the board forwards an article to Town Meeting.

Board direction and next steps: after hearing technical questions and numerous public comments, the board voted to continue the hearing to its February 6 meeting and asked staff to prepare parcel‑level examples showing hypothetical build‑out under the draft in multiple zoning districts, plus an analysis of potential impacts on water, sewer, traffic and parking. The continuation motion passed by roll call.

What was not decided: the board did not adopt any final language or make binding changes to the draft at the Jan. 22 meeting. The continued hearing will return to the board for more data and possible redrafting before any recommendation to Town Meeting.","At a Jan. 22 special meeting, the Nantucket Planning Board continued its public hearing on a proposed zoning amendment to allow a new \"cottage community\" development type after residents and experts raised concerns about housing density, septic/sewer and local water contamination.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374402,"Planning Board forwards multiple rezones and housekeeping bylaw changes to Town Meeting with positive recommendations",1266,221000,1487000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144694-314eb866dd0e4d4cd678a166c121564f&start=221&end=1487","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144694-314eb866dd0e4d4cd678a166c121564f/thumbnail_221000.jpg","/articles/6374402/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Planning-Board-forwards-multiple-rezones-and-housekeeping-bylaw-changes-to-Town-Meeting-with-positive-recommendations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374402-977eadf68fc22c14cbf37addff0585a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111705&Signature=SmziCKkwys-QFQQiHqAc0gecVq6wlsYoxR6pXBXu56PFYhFlMs7qrxY2z56DEgn6X4GxIB4BZPXPlvrey1iUIZKLbIs2rn63LJFPwkp3ncp5-y6v8eKhFeS84BQAlMxKz3HxCOMtl~bkcgZ8ykyMSE6jroGh0OVfsnrc59z9gfoLnJUu8nbQKX8GZC6Dr0YlTPWYwtDCbrEQHUwM0YEmF5LgLTLHtRJF5FYmQNAezk3JkvzD6lM8CxbT69ARScOTV9SsWVy-Zc6XJWiT9UyIP~t9TcxL4FThvOI5M7-sZWMQIgsWi2XE6bKOzOy6eJ3SH1f~hNArX-gBD5ZXlV3qSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Board took a series of largely procedural and property‑specific votes on Jan. 22 to send zoning map amendments and technical bylaw changes to the Annual Town Meeting warrant with positive recommendations. Many items were grouped by staff as part of the RC2 phase‑out, site corrections, or clean‑up of prior negotiations.

Votes at a glance (selected items; vote tallies reflect roll call recorded at the meeting):

- Zoning map amendment: R40 to ROH (portion of 0 Fair Street) — positive recommendation; quorum vote required: two‑thirds. Vote: unanimous by roll call (recorded as Aye by board, motion passed).

- Zoning map amendment: RC2 to R5 (Surfside Road / Myakama Avenue parcels) — positive recommendation; quorum two‑thirds. Vote: unanimous by roll call.

- Zoning map amendment: RC2 to CTAC (Old South Road / Van Gilder Ave; Van Gilder subdivision) — positive recommendation; quantum vote recorded as 50% in the motion. Vote: unanimous by roll call.

- Zoning map amendment: RC2 to R5 or CTEC (Rosemary Way parcel) — staff recommended R5; board sent positive recommendation; quorum two‑thirds. Vote: unanimous.

- Zoning map amendment: RC2 to R5 (Appleton Road parcels) — positive recommendation; quorum two‑thirds. Vote: unanimous.

- Zoning map amendment: RC2 to CMI or CTEC (43 ___ Road; owner requested CTEC) — positive recommendation; quantum vote 50%. Vote: unanimous.

- Zoning map amendment: RC to CN (103 Washington Street; permitting completed) — positive recommendation; quantum vote 50%. Vote: unanimous.

- Zoning map amendment: RC2 to R10 (residential suggestion where properties are used residentially) — positive recommendation to R10; quorum two‑thirds. Vote: unanimous.

- Zoning map amendment: R40 to CN (23 Airport Road and Windmill Auto Rental parcel) — positive recommendation to CN to reflect commercial use; quantum vote 50%. Vote: unanimous.

- Zoning map amendment: ROH to CDT (7, 9 and 11 North Water Street; properties used as guest houses) — positive recommendation; quantum vote 50%. Vote: unanimous.

- Zoning bylaw amendment: Orleans Management District technical cleanup (replace references to Planning Board with Zoning Board of Appeals where previously moved) — positive recommendation; quorum two‑thirds. Vote: unanimous.

- Zoning bylaw amendment: Delete temporary moratorium on recreational marijuana establishments (expiration passed) — positive recommendation; quorum two‑thirds. Vote: unanimous.

- Zoning bylaw amendment: Definitions — attainable/obtainable housing (to align with Affordable Housing Trust) — positive recommendation; board moved to forward as written. Vote: unanimous.

- Zoning bylaw amendment: Inclusionary housing (citizen petition revised to remove commercial and by‑right subdivisions; applies to multi‑unit/special permit divisions of five or more units; one unit required to be attainable at 240% AMI) — positive recommendation; procedural and threshold details were cleared with staff. Vote: unanimous.

Several items were removed from the agenda for advertising/technical reasons earlier in the meeting and did not require action.

What this means: the Planning Board’s positive recommendations will appear on the Town Meeting warrant for voter consideration. Many items are routine rezonings reflecting current use, parcel ownership corrections, or phase‑out of the RC2 district; a few (inclusionary housing, attainable housing definition) are substantive and were discussed at higher detail.","At the Jan. 22 special meeting the Planning Board used roll‑call votes to send a series of zoning map amendments and technical bylaw changes to Town Meeting with positive recommendations. Most items were routine map corrections or district transitions associated with the RC2 phase‑out or property‑specific permit completions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning Board delays action on pickleball court regulation, asks staff for alternatives and public outreach

Planning Board continues debate on 'cottage community' zoning amendment after extended public comment on density and water risks

Planning Board forwards multiple rezones and housekeeping bylaw changes to Town Meeting with positive recommendations