Nantucket Historical Commission unanimously backs Easton House historic tax credit bid

NANTUCKET — April 17, 2026 — Nantucket Historical Commission unanimously endorses state tax credit application for 1812-era guest house renovation and backs a $2 million Pleasant Street sidewalk overhaul that removes roughly 15 parking spaces. The commission voted 7-0 to send a letter of support for owner Kaylin Casey's Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit application for the Easton House at 17 North Water Street, a circa-1812 structure that operated as a guest house for more than 130 years and is being renovated to 16 rooms with sprinklers and an ADA-accessible suite. The board separately voted 6-0 with one abstention to recommend three design alternatives to the Select Board for the fully funded Pleasant Street project, prioritizing shade tree preservation and dual sidewalks over on-street parking, after a 112-response survey ranked historic character as residents' top concern. In a third unanimous vote, commissioners endorsed the intent of town meeting Article 72 — which would require a two-thirds Historic District Commission vote to demolish structures 50 years or older — while insisting the change must come through an amendment to the HDC's special act rather than a standard bylaw, with town meeting set for May 4.