Commissioners discussed the redevelopment proposal for 108 Water Street after learning that the Planning & Zoning Commission approved the plan the previous night. Members said the original marine-commercial zoning (established in the late 1980s) aimed to preserve water-dependent uses such as commercial boatyards and shellfishing, and they expressed concern that the new proposal privileges non-water-dependent uses, including residential units.

A commission member said DEEP wrote that development of residential units on the property would be “inconsistent with the Coastal Management Act and shouldn't be approved,” and commissioners raised additional concerns about floodplain resiliency and dry egress for residents. “They addressed dry egress and how they would remediate that, but it wasn't really to my satisfaction,” a commissioner said, noting that projections for raising Water Street or other measures were not tied to the project timing.

Commissioners also discussed the potential loss of marine-commercial space for boat storage, docks and other water-dependent facilities, and a proposed on-site shellfish-processing/refinery use. No formal action or vote was taken by the Shellfish Commission at this meeting; commissioners said they expect continued review and coordination with the Harbor Management Commission and DEEP as redevelopment proposals proceed through city permitting and design review processes.