By Barb Aue, South Beach Bulletin, Managing Editor.
Better than 50 individuals whose properties are near the proposed Cohasset Park development packed last Tuesday's Westport City Planning Commission meeting held at City Hall. Their purpose was to testify at a public hearing called to consider the plat plan for a proposed residential development known as Cohasset Park. The 55 acre site is located along the Pacific Ocean at the southern city limits.
Before opening the hearing for public comment, Commission Chairman Mike McGuire introduced De-En Lang, Vice President of Subdivision Management Inc., a professional land planning and development company headquartered in Bothell. Lang represents property owners Susan G. Snow and Paul Schaefer of Sebastopol, California.
Lang's presentation included references to a color-coded map as he explained the proposed project. The Cohasset Park development consists of 113 single family dwellings, pared down from an original proposal that included 270 houses. The planner noted in his initial presentation that the two largest concerns with the project appear to be traffic and drainage. His assumption proved correct as citizens came forward to identify themselves and testify before the commission.
Each participant was limited to two minutes. Even with strict limitations on testimony time, the hearing ran better than two hours, concluding with Lang offering answers to some of the questions posed.
Back to top or back to home page or back to Whats New
Lang said his firm's traffic study done on access streets in the area led the developers to choose to concentrate on developing West Lila. Such development would include widening the street from 12 foot to 18-foot lanes. Several audience members objected strongly to the traffic plan, saying such a widening of West Lila would eliminate access to their property, and in one instance, even eliminate a portion of a homeowner's garage.
Others questioned who would maintain and repair the roads and streets into and within the community that they feel will be broken down as a result of construction and then residential traffic. Other members of the audience reminded Planning Commission members that at the time the property was annexed into the City, citizens requested three developed access roads into the project and were told the developers would be willing to develop two.
Back to top or back to home page or back to Whats New
Lang's initial presentation included an explanation of methods the developers intend to use to move excess water out of the area, including ditching along the right-of-ways and drainage through the primary dune to the ocean for the three cul-de-sacs located on the westernmost edge of the project. "We don't feel there is a real problem where the project is. The flooding occurs in the wetlands," he said. His comments were met with derisive laughter and hoots from a number of individuals in the audience.
With order restored, individual after individual then offered into the public record their personal horror stories about annual flooding. Some offered photographs into the record while others talked about how close the development appears to be to where high winter water traditionally washes logs up on shore. Most said they feared the new development would add to, rather than help eliminate, their excessive water woes.
In response, Lang said, "You people have given ample proof here that there are already flooding problems in the area, in fact, more than I was aware of formerly. Not one load of fill has been brought into this project. Not one house has been built here yet. We did not cause these problems. What we are going to do is eliminate some of that flooding. If you are in the same flood basin we are, then you will directly benefit from that." Lang went on to describe an addition to the original drainage plan that would include an overflow piping system to reroute excess water back over the dune and into the ocean. He said the additional drainage plan was added after receiving comment on the plat proposal from Grays Harbor County officials.
Back to top or back to home page or back to Whats New
A third issue of concern among neighboring residents is the loss of access to the beach through the area when the community is developed. A number of those present felt that since long-established paths to the beach have been used for more than ten years they have become public domain. Lang disagreed and noted that it was the intention of the property owners at Cohasset Park to stop access to the beach across the property once development has taken place.
Area resident Judi Rossi was particularly upset about the beach access issue. "These people aren't going to want us parking our cars alongside their property so we can get to the beach. When Schaefer-Snow initially suckered us into supporting annexation, they told us they were going to not only provide parking areas, but even restrooms. I came to the annexation hearings with great misgivings, but went away supporting it because I really felt they were sincere," she said.
Back to top or back to home page or back to Whats New
Some residents expressed concerns for health and sanitation in the new development, questioning whether or not there is enough potable water to serve such a development and whether or not the city's wastewater treatment plant could handle the additional sewage flow. Lang deferred to Westport Public Works Director, Fred Chapman to answer those concerns.
Chapman explained that the wastewater treatment plant is currently working at 30% of its total capacity and would be easily capable of handling sewage flow. He also noted that with the addition of the two new wells in the G.A.R. park and well field development in the Roberts Ranch area, the City will have ample water supply to service not only its needs but the needs of those water users on the system outside the city limits.
Vickie Mascarenas spoke to health concerns and then requested that a complete environmental impact statement be required for the project as opposed to the shorter Expanded Environmental Checklist already completed and submitted to the City.
Back to top or back to home page or back to Whats New
A number of individuals who live near the primary dune and at least one who is currently building a residence there, questioned the esthetics of the project. They say the planned homes "stick out" too far to the west, and would cause an unattractive line of sight. Lang countered that the development will contain a number of convenants to assure a pleasing architectural style and adherence to specific structural rules, such as a probable height restriction on the houses to be built closest to the ocean.
Lone Voice In Favor
Local real estate broker Mike Coverdale was the lone voice to speak in favor of allowing the project proposal to continue through the permitting process. "I don't feel its beneficial to hold an entire development up over the issue of water when the developers still have to deal with the Corps and the state Department of Ecology on that issue. There are more people than those in this room tonight who want to enjoy the beach environment," he said.
Group Hired Attorney
Upset with the potential project, a number of individuals formed a group that calls itself "South Beach Citizens For Responsible Development" and hired the law firm of Smith & Lowney, P.L.L.C. to represent them and offer their official comments. The document prepared by Attorney Knoll D. Lowney referenced several of the group's complaints about various issues, including public notice, environmental impacts, tsunami risk, soil erosion, public services and utilities, defects in the application, and the opinion that the shoreline permit for the project should be denied. Second Hearing Scheduled
In all, 27 individuals offered testimony, with several of those speaking more than once. In light of the addition of new proposed drainage by Lang and the attendees desire to see what that proposal is in writing, the Planning Commission has scheduled a second public hearing for Thursday, September 17th at 7 p.m. in the City Council meeting room. Commissioners plan to meet at 6 p.m. in order that the many letters submitted with written comments on the issue may be read into the record. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting at six p.m. if they wish to hear the written comments on the proposed plat.
Back to Whats New Index Page
Back to CRC Index Page
Back to Estuary Index Page
Back to Grays Harbor County Issues Index Page