Commission rejects immediate approval for finger pier at Sixth Avenue boat ramp; referral to planning proposed

The Town Commission considered a proposal to construct a small finger pier at the Sixth Avenue boat ramp intended to make launching small boats, kayaks and personal watercraft easier and safer.

Commissioner Robert Baldwin presented the proposal and said a local contractor had offered to donate construction and ongoing maintenance of the small pier. He argued the structure would let people tie off temporarily while they parked trailers, reduce slippery ramp-related accidents and limit damage to boats against shoreline rock.

Dozens of residents spoke during public comment. Supporters described safety and convenience benefits; several noted they would not expect a surge of larger boats and said the pier could be limited to short craft. Opponents — including homeowners immediately adjacent to the ramp — described potential privacy losses, more nonresident traffic and parking spillover onto neighborhood streets. Environmental and permitting concerns were also raised, including questions about the seawall condition and whether the structure would require county, state or federal permits and what long-term maintenance obligations would fall to the town.

The commission voted on a motion to approve the proposal as presented; the motion failed, recorded as 2 in favor and 3 opposed. After the defeat of the immediate approval, a separate motion was made to refer the concept to the Planning and Zoning board for a workshop and more study; that referral motion was made and seconded during the meeting. The final disposition of the referral was not recorded in the meeting transcript.

Officials said additional steps would be needed before any built work, including shoreline permits, a plan for long-term maintenance and town review of any proposed access or parking changes. Town staff also noted that the town would need to decide whether, and under what conditions, an outside party could build and maintain a small structure located on or near town-owned waterfront property.

The commission’s votes leave the proposal in an investigatory phase: the pier was not approved during the meeting, and commissioners asked for more work by staff and the Planning & Zoning board before any decision on permitting or contracts.

The record shows broad resident interest and divided views. Commissioners noted the choice is between moving quickly on safety improvements and taking a more formal, step-by-step approach to permitting, neighbor outreach and environmental review.