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Westmoreland County board approves bulkhead replacement at 1335 Harborview Circle with engineering drawing requirement
Summary
The Westmoreland County Wetlands Board approved a three‑year permit allowing an in‑place replacement of a failing timber bulkhead at 1335 Harborview Circle, following a VIMS site assessment recommending replacement in the existing footprint; the board required a benchmarked, scaled engineering drawing be provided.
The Westmoreland County Wetlands Board approved a three‑year permit Tuesday for a replacement timber bulkhead at 1335 Harborview Circle, concluding that replacing the failing structure in its existing footprint is the least‑harmful erosion control option for the site.
Staff read a June 26 letter from Lyle Varnell, associate director for advisory services at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, who concluded that although bulkheads are generally not an environmentally preferred erosion‑control strategy, “due to the unknown stability of the upland bank landward of the bulkhead and the close proximity of the house, bulkhead replacement in place appears to be the most effective erosion control strategy with the least impacts on adjacent tidal wetlands.” The letter was entered into the record by staff.
Jim Beck, an engineer representing Superior Shoreline, told the board the existing timber bulkhead is rotting and leaning and described plans to replace the structure with timber piles or sheet piling and tied anchors; he said detailed, buildable engineering specifications would be prepared after permit approval.
Board members pressed for clearer plan views showing benchmarks and mean‑high/low water lines. One board member said it would be “in the board’s best interest” to require a benchmarked, scaled plan within 10 days of any approval; the board included a requirement that an engineering drawing be provided as part of the motion.
A motion to approve case 1489 for a three‑year period, with a provision that an engineering drawing be submitted and with no in‑lieu fee, passed by the board. The chair reminded the applicant to wait 10 days before beginning work to allow for appeal rights.
Why it matters: The board relied on a state scientific assessment to weigh shoreline protection needs against wetland impacts; requiring an engineering drawing preserves a record of site geometry and jurisdictional lines that influence mitigation obligations.
The permit is effective subject to the 10‑day appeal period; staff recorded the VMRC number for the file and the applicant was directed to provide the promised engineering documentation.
