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Highlanders press council on Captain's Cove Marina, seawall study and emergency repairs; mayor points to land-use process
Summary
Residents raised long-running concerns about Captain's Cove Marina, failing bulkheads, tide-flex valves and sinkholes at a public comment session on Nov. 6; borough officials said redevelopment and condemnation are being considered and reminded attendees a Land Use Board hearing set for Dec. 12 will provide more detail.
Residents at the Nov. 6 Highlands mayor and council meeting pressed officials for concrete action on long-standing waterfront and flooding problems, including the condition of Captain's Cove Marina and failing bulkheads that residents say are undermining private property and borough roads.
Peter Balham, who identified himself as living at 11 Marine Place, asked the council for further information about issues reported in a local newspaper and whether condemnation or other enforcement steps were being considered for the marina property. Borough officials said the planner is preparing a redevelopment plan that could include eminent domain as a last resort and that the planner will present at a Land Use Board meeting on Dec. 12.
"We do not look at eminent domain lightly," the mayor said, noting the borough has been pursuing repairs and engagement with the property owner for years and that the planner and engineers will present a formal plan. The mayor asked neighbors to bring their concerns and evidence to the Dec. 12 Land Use Board hearing.
Residents said chronic flooding is worsened by aging tide-flex valves and by deteriorating bulkheads that in some places have collapsed into the marina. Brian Cobb (11 Recreation Place) described sinkholes and rising water at intersections and asked whether the borough could perform emergency repairs before winter. Council/staff replies indicated Rogers Avenue is borough-owned but the adjacent bulkhead is private property; officials said emergency work on private structures likely requires owner permission or a court order and that condemnation through a public land-use process is one legal avenue to secure access and repairs.
A resident, Eugene Van Wagner, asked whether the Army Corps of Engineers would continue a seawall study after a referendum. The mayor said the Army Corps funded the study but that 77% of Highlands registered voters opposed the project in the referendum and added, "When 77% of the registered voters of this town tell us that they do not want the project, I'm not voting for it." He said the borough cannot force the Army Corps to continue, but that the Army Corps would need an agreement with the borough to do construction work.
Officials repeatedly urged residents to present photographs and testimony at the Dec. 12 Land Use Board hearing, where the planner and engineers will be available, and said the council is pursuing engineering estimates and potential financing for remaining street and drainage work.
The council closed public comment and moved into executive session after the regular meeting.
