Planning Board backs Article 82 to accept seasonal communities designation, urges clear guidance from state

The Nantucket Planning Board voted to give a positive recommendation to Article 82, the 2025 annual town meeting warrant article that would accept the Massachusetts General Law seasonal communities designation.

Planning staff told the board the article is not strictly a zoning change but that the seasonal communities designation carries zoning-related requirements that the town must adopt once state guidance is released. Staff said specific regulatory guidance from the state Seasonal Communities Advisory Committee has not yet been issued.

The board’s support was framed as strategic: members said acceptance buys the town a seat at the table on forthcoming guidance and enables local officials to help shape regulations that will affect year‑round and seasonal housing. Planning Board members pressed staff to prepare a short, plain‑language “cheat sheet” describing the practical implications and potential zoning consequences for use at town meeting and for public outreach.

Matt (Planning Board member) moved to recommend Article 82; after discussion the motion passed with board members voting in favor. Board members said they expect town counsel and staff to circulate a memorandum and a public summary in advance of the finance committee and town meeting so voters understand the tradeoffs of accepting the designation.

The board requested that staff forward the town‑counsel memo provided to the finance committee to planning board members and prepare a concise public summary for the town meeting warrant and other outreach.