Yellow House Bid Wins Committee Approval, But Selectmen Delay Final Action
“A proposal from an Island contractor to convert the Yellow House property into rental apartments and retail space was easily approved Monday by a town committee that has been evaluating proposals for the property. But later the same day, the Edgartown selectmen postponed a final decision until Thursday while they evaluate concerns raised by the former owner of the property.
Mark Nicotera of Trademark Services was the last remaining bidder after one other bidder dropped out last week. Mr. Nicotera has proposed paying $49,000 over the next 30 years to lease and redevelop the rundown property. He is working with financial backer Stephen Berger and architect Dudley Cannada on the plan to create three apartments and two retail spaces.
The subcommittee vote was 5-0 in favor, with one abstention and one member of the committee absent.
In a last-minute email, Benjamin Hall Jr. raised concerns about whether previous policies the town had applied to the house under his family’s ownership would continue, specifically a requirement not to injure or remove a public shade tree through an expansion. Mr. Hall also said creating a full basement and destroying historic structure support would violate the building’s historic character.
Committee chairman Chris Scott read the email aloud at the meeting. After a short discussion, the committee voted to approve the proposal.
The selectmen have the final say on the proposal. At their meeting Monday afternoon, town administrator Pamela Dolby advised the board to take the matter under advisement while town counsel Karen Burke reviews the concerns raised by Mr. Hall.
The selectmen will reconvene at 1 p.m. on Thursday for further discussion and a possible vote.”
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Brown, Sara. Vineyard Gazette 29 January 2018.