Village
Fostering a healthy commercial center
Aldrich House
To preserve the commercial ’Sconset core, which is central to our village way of life, the Trust purchased the Captain Valentine Aldrich House in December 2023. This strategically situated property which is located behind the ’Sconset Market provides desperately needed rental housing for the village workforce, as well as securing a key historical property in the heart of ’Sconset.
'Sconset Market
On January 26, 2024, the Trust purchased the ’Sconset Market, a beloved staple of our village, from Mark Donato who had owned the property and been a fixture in the Market for forty years. Mark and the Trust Board share the view that the Market is a critical village asset that is best protected and managed by the Trust. The Trust thanks Mark for his vision, for his commitment to the community, and for working with the Board to develop a transition plan. The Trust would also like to thank Rolf and Cindy Nelson, who played an important role in the Trust’s acquisition and continue to be thoughtful stewards of this historic property and the ’Sconset community. The Trust will be a “mission-driven landlord” to ensure that the Market remains a key resource for the village into the future.
One New Street
In July 2024, the Trust purchased One New Street which is in the Village Neighborhood district and for the past decade has housed the ’Sconset Trust office. The building also houses retail space that has ranged from a gift shop to an art gallery to the current paper store, Parchment, and provides additional employee housing for village businesses.
Mission-Driven Landlord
As a result of the Trust’s 2023 Strategic Planning Process, our mission was expanded to include fostering a healthy commercial center in keeping with the character of ‘Sconset. The Trust has acquired key strategic buildings to support this initiative providing retail spaces and employee housing.
MAP KEY:
Red Hash Line Area: HDC Old Historic District
SR-1
Light Blue: ‘Sconset Old Historic District
Purple: Village Neighborhood District
Village Zoning
The ‘’Sconset Trust worked with the Town of Nantucket and the ‘Sconset Civic Association to make zoning changes (approved at Town Meetings in 2013 and 2019 ) to create and then expand a VN (Village Neighborhood) zone. This Village Neighborhood Zoning preserves the commercial core of the village. The changes were consistent with Nantucket’s Master Plan recommendation of creating village centers in appropriate locations, bringing existing commercial uses into conformity, and ensuring the continuation of the village center should any of the existing businesses discontinue.
‘Sconset Area Plan
Between 2004 and 2007, the citizens of ’Sconset created a ’Sconset Area Plan in response to a request of the Town of Nantucket Planning Department to provide a ’Sconset planning document for the Town Master Plan. The Siasconset Civic Association and the ’Sconset Trust played a leadership role in the process.
During 2020 and 2021 the ‘Sconset Planning Committee with the support of the Siasconset Civic Association, the ‘Sconset Trust and the ‘Sconset Advisory Board updated the 2007 ‘Sconset Area Plan to comply with Massachusetts General Law 41 Section 81D for Master Plans, and as required by the Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission.