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Committee raises concerns over private bluff‑stabilization proposals; urges town policy and ordinance review
Summary
Committee members reported a private inquiry about engineering work for a parish center bluff, discussed the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) permitting pathway that can supersede local preferences, and recommended drafting town policy and ordinance changes to guide future bluff‑stabilization projects.
Committee members told the Coastal Resilience Committee that a private property owner (a parish) has engaged an engineering firm to propose bluff stabilization work and that the owner sought preliminary advice about the town’s permitting process.
Coastal Resilience Committee Chair Nora Clark said Father Pappetano contacted the committee to ask about possible bluff mitigation for the parish center on Spring Street, and that she provided town process information and noted the legal and permitting steps the owner would face. Committee members said these private proposals can be routed to the state Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and potentially proceed even if the town objects, depending on the permitting record.
Why it matters: committee members said ad hoc, project‑by‑project stabilization on private bluffs can have cumulative effects—such as altering sand supply to beaches—and that the town needs clearer guidance and ordinances addressing bluff stabilization, setbacks and alternatives.
Members discussed preparing a written recommendation for the town council and working with the Conservation Commission to develop a checklist and proposed ordinance changes that would clarify town expectations and the process for shorefront stabilization. Nigel and others suggested the committee draft a position paper or list of considerations the town council could adopt and present to CRMC if needed.
Next steps: committee members proposed drafting suggested ordinance revisions and a position for the town council and coordinating with the Conservation Commission; the chair offered to present a committee draft to council once the group has a working version.
