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Council grants one‑month extension for Harborside temporary storage permit; demands improved screening plan
Summary
VVO Real Estate asked for a six‑month extension of a special temporary permit for storage containers at the Harborside lot; after council members said the current screening did not match the approved plan, the council extended the permit for one month and asked the owner to present specific, enforceable fencing/screening plans.
The council granted a one‑month extension of the temporary storage permit for VVO Real Estate’s Harborside property and asked the applicant to return with a specific, enforceable plan to improve screening and correct what council members described as a “janky” and unkempt fence.
Josh Parks, speaking on behalf of VVO Real Estate, requested a six‑month extension of the Section 1‑12 special temporary storage permit for Plat 6, Lot 107, saying engineering bid drawings have been issued and the developer hopes to break ground in spring. Parks said the property had received a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic District Commission in January and that contractors are pricing the work.
Several council members objected to the current condition of screening at the site, citing photographs of chain‑link fencing and panels blown down in high winds. Council members said the installed screening did not match the materials or appearance that had formed the basis for earlier approvals. One councilor said: “When you come off the boat, you see whatever is there now. You don't realize that it's a construction site. If there was some way… some type of a sign… or a drawing of what it's going to be, that would look a lot nicer than what it looks like right now.”
Given those concerns, the council withdrew an initial motion for a six‑month extension and instead approved a motion to extend the permit for one month and require the property owner to submit the promised screening/fence plan and photographs before any further extension. The motion passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: The Harborside lot is in the downtown historic district; council members emphasized that temporary screening and site appearance must meet conditions approved as part of the special permit. The one‑month extension gives the applicant a short window to produce the physical changes or documentation the council requested.
Next steps: The applicant must return to the council in one month with photographic evidence or renderings showing how the screening will comply with the materials and appearance previously approved; further extension(s) are possible but the council signaled it expects clearer, enforceable plans.
