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Split commission delays decision on Lime Hill catwalk after neighbors’ concerns
Summary
The Chatham Conservation Commission on March 11 split 3–3 in a straw poll over a proposed permanent catwalk at 202 Lime Hill Road, prompting the applicant to agree to redesign it as a seasonal structure; the commission continued the hearing to April 22 for a revised plan and to allow the ZBA hearing outcome to be considered.
Chair Karen Latin opened discussion of an order of conditions for 202 Lime Hill Road and invited the applicant to summarize changes to the plan. Applicant representative Bill Riley said the project — an elevated catwalk and maintenance of an existing path — remains the same as submitted and noted the matter had been before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). He told the commission he expects to return to the ZBA in April and that the applicant will appeal a denial if necessary.
Commissioners and the applicant debated the square-foot calculations for impacts and mitigation after staff and the applicant disagreed about whether mitigation totals on the revised plan equalled the area of impact. The applicant said the catwalk itself accounted for only about 160 sq ft and that the mitigation had been increased to 1,217 sq ft, but staff highlighted plan callouts that still showed 954 sq ft in some places and asked for consistency in the order text.
The discussion turned to whether the catwalk should be permanent or seasonal. Commissioner Elise Gordon said watching the ZBA hearing persuaded her that the commission should resist approving a permanent catwalk that could increase shading and long-term impacts; Janet Williams and another commissioner objected to approving a permanent structure and noted the town has historically required seasonal, removable catwalks. Commissioner Eric Hilbert acknowledged the practical benefit of an elevated catwalk to reduce trampling but said he preferred limiting the scope.
After a straw ballot produced a three–three split among commissioners on the question of approval as written, the applicant indicated a willingness to change the design to a seasonal catwalk. The chair proposed, and the commission voted, to continue the matter to the April 22, 2026 meeting to allow the applicant to submit revised drawings and to give the ZBA outcome a chance to reinforce or clarify neighborhood concerns.
What happens next: The applicant agreed to revise the design to seasonally installed construction and to clarify mitigation numbers; the commission will review the updated papers at its April 22 meeting. The ZBA hearing is scheduled in April and may affect the final decision.
Attribution: Quotes and paraphrases in this article are taken from the March 11 hearing and attributed to participants listed in the commission’s record, including Chair Karen Latin and applicant Bill Riley.
