Land Bank boardwalk, ADA parking and rebuilt dock approved for East Creek properties

The Historic District Commission unanimously approved plans for a public-access waterfront project at 16 and 19 East Creek Road that will replace a private dock with a rebuilt, ADA‑compliant dock, a timber boardwalk and a terraced viewing deck. The Land Bank and consultant SCAPE presented the plan, which also includes resurfacing the parking area to add two ADA spaces and restoring coastal habitat and invasive-species plantings.

Laura Morette, a principal landscape architect with SCAPE, said the design aims “to create an accessible and inclusive waterfront for the public,” describing a timber boardwalk, stabilized decomposed granite parking, a resilient elevated boardwalk and terraced seating at the creek. Staff told the commission the proposal checks many public-benefit boxes and is consistent with previous Land Bank boardwalk projects.

Commissioners praised the project’s public-access benefits and materials palette but asked for clarifications about the crushed-stone parking material and the deck/railing details. The board asked that the parking material be ADA‑compliant and that designers supply final specifications for the stabilized granite. The commission’s approval is conditioned on the applicant's submission of the selected stone product and final railing details consistent with the island’s established approaches to public waterfront projects.

Because the project replaces a private dock with public access and adds ADA parking, staff emphasized coordination with the Land Bank’s permitting and with DPW where the plan alters the town right-of-way. The Land Bank representatives said they will return materials samples and final details for staff review before construction permits are issued.