Council conditionally approves Dunlap Street land-development and subdivision plan for waterfront project

Councilors approved a conditional amendment to the preliminary/final land-development and subdivision plan that dedicates Dunlap Street as a borough street and clears the way for the waterfront hotel, parking garage and condominium phases described by the project team.

Developer representative Tom described how a new brick-paved promenade and sidewalks would connect the proposed parking and hotel to existing walkways; he said on-site parking would tie into pedestrian pathways and that substantial grant support had been secured for the project. "There is a walkway that was constructed as part of the flood control retaining wall project years ago that parallels..." Tom said while explaining how the design ties into existing brick sidewalks and the promenade.

During discussion, Councilmember Miss Tossy Basy expressed specific concern about pedestrian safety where parking spaces will face the promenade and about the absence of a continuous brick sidewalk in front of the row of 30 spaces; she said the proposed changes could create a hazardous crossing path for pedestrians and therefore voted no. Other council members said plans will be updated to reflect the motion and that staff and the developer will coordinate code and permit reviews.

The motion was amended on the floor to clarify that both the preliminary/final land-development plan and the subdivision/record plan were conditionally approved. The roll-call vote recorded one dissent on pedestrian-safety grounds and otherwise carried.