Zoning Board OKs foundation work to stabilize historic house at 2 Green Lane with conditions

The Nantucket Zoning Board of Appeals on Feb. 12 approved a special permit allowing foundation work beneath a historic single-family dwelling at 2 Green Lane intended to stabilize the building and prevent further subsidence.

Attorney Arthur Reed, representing the property owners, told the board the work would lift the structure as necessary and install a new crawl-space foundation to stabilize the historic frame without moving the building from its historic position. Architect Ethan Griffin and contractor Nate Barber were present to explain technical measures and mitigation for the neighboring property.

Board members pressed the applicant on construction techniques and the project’s proximity to an adjacent historic building and a mature tree on the neighboring property. Barber said the excavation will likely be hand‑dug under the lifted house, with conveyor removal of spoils or small equipment such as a Dingo; the crawl space is expected to be about 4 feet deep. He said two local arborists concluded the sycamore maple adjacent to the site is diseased and a potential liability, while a third recommended maintenance and ivy removal.

Jason Leonardo Finger, deputy director and curator of the Maria Mitchell Association, representing the nonprofit that stewards the neighboring historic building, summarized the association’s multi-year conservation work on its structure and urged caution about vibrations and digging adjacent to the unique stucco/terracotta (Natco) portion of its building. "We do not want to lose this tree," he said, adding that vibration monitoring and careful root work would be important safeguards.

Reed and the applicant’s team agreed to install seismic/vibration monitors on the neighboring structure and produce engineering verification. The board’s conditions require substantial conformity with the HDC-approved exhibit (certificate of appropriateness HDC2025-12-13945), appropriate shoring and stabilization measures during excavation, written testimony from a licensed structural engineer confirming methods are sufficient to protect the adjacent historically significant structure at 7 Milk Street, and a prohibition on exterior construction between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The board also discussed using a pier instead of a full poured foundation at a small "panhandle" portion closest to the neighbor to reduce intrusive digging.

After deliberation the board found the proposal met the standard in bylaw section 139-33 A(1)(a) that the alteration would not be substantially more detrimental than the existing nonconforming structure. The motion to grant the special permit carried by roll call vote: Lisa Botticelli, Jim Adeni, John Brescher, Alisa Allen and Chair Susan McCarthy voted in favor.

The decision includes technical requirements as exhibits and requires the applicant to provide the promised engineer’s memo and monitoring plan before the town issues permits. The project as approved preserves the building in its historic location and attaches conditions intended to protect the adjoining historic resource.

The board closed the matter after the vote; the applicant may proceed once required submittals and exhibits are received and found satisfactory by staff.