Commission approves Land Bank boardwalk extension at 41 Jefferson Avenue for ADA access

The Nantucket Conservation Commission unanimously approved an order of conditions Thursday allowing the Nantucket Islands Land Bank to extend an existing boardwalk at 41 Jefferson Avenue to provide ADA access.

Liz Phelps, representing the Nantucket Islands Land Bank, presented the amendment; staff reported that the project is water‑dependent and falls within the Coastal Beach resource area and buffer to a Coastal Dune. The project lies within mapped Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) habitat, but the applicant submitted an NHESP letter clearing the proposal.

The order includes standard conditions and two site‑specific conditions (numbered 18 and 19 in the draft). It also requires that all proposed plantings be native species with no cultivars, prohibits fertilizer and agricultural chemicals in commission jurisdictional areas, and mandates monitoring reports at the end of growing seasons. The commission approved the order as drafted by roll call vote.

Why it matters: The approval enables improved public access while the order’s conditions require habitat‑sensitive plantings and monitoring. Staff noted there was no need for a waiver because the work is water‑dependent.

Vote: The motion to approve carried unanimously.