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Danvers panel approves waivers and order for revised dock at 9 Jacobs Landing
Summary
The Town of Danvers Conservation Commission voted 4–1 on Jan. 8 to grant two waivers and issue an order of conditions allowing a revised dock and gangway at 9 Jacobs Landing (DEP File No. 14-1445), after hearing navigation concerns from the Harbormaster and a public commenter.
The Town of Danvers Conservation Commission voted 4–1 on Jan. 8 to grant two waivers and issue an order of conditions permitting a modified dock and gangway at 9 Jacobs Landing, DEP File No. 14-1445.
The applicant, Jeffrey Bunk, represented by Luke Fabbri, described design revisions including rotating the gangway 5.5 degrees east and repositioning the dock 25 feet back from the channel so the pier sits on an existing concrete curb. Commission members and town staff confirmed the updated design exceeds the local clearance minimums the Harbormaster cited: the design provides approximately 4.9 feet of clearance on the river side and 2.5 feet on the shore side, above the town’s minimums for non-shellfish and shellfish flats.
Peter Wilson, speaking for the Harbormaster, said the office preferred a shorter pier to keep the most open water possible for navigation. Fabbri responded that pulling the dock back would leave the boat sitting on the flats at low tide and that the project’s aim is to keep structures off the flats. Commissioner Michael Splaine expressed continuing concerns about the pier length; he was the lone dissenting vote on the waivers and order.
The commission heard a brief public comment from Mr. Bradstreet, who said rules are changing and suggested the town update its rules to support proper decisions. After public comment the commission closed the hearing and took votes.
The commission granted a waiver to allow work in the 35-foot no-disturb zone (motion by Mary Haight; seconded by Lorraine Drapek). The vote was 4 in favor, 1 opposed (Splaine). The commission also granted a waiver to allow work in the 50-foot no-build zone (motion by Paul McNulty; seconded by Lorraine Drapek), 4–1. The board then issued an order of conditions for the project (motion by Paul McNulty; seconded by Lorraine Drapek), again 4–1.
Conditions included displaying a Chapter 91 license and a three-year timeline for completing the project, after which the applicant must return for a certificate of compliance. The commission recorded the DEP file number for the project as 14-1445.
The commission’s votes authorize the revised dock design to proceed subject to the conditions the board attached; commissioners who opposed the waivers cited concerns about pier length and potential navigation impacts.
