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Board faces dispute over validity of earlier site walk; public urges re-run or reapplication
Summary
A member of the public challenged the validity of a prior site walk, arguing exclusion from the waterfront review; the planning board debated options and agreed to re-run an advertised site walk and continue the hearing to allow broader public participation.
A heated exchange before the board focused on whether a prior site walk related to the Parker Head pier review qualified as an open public proceeding. A participant asserted he had been excluded and that the earlier site walk was therefore invalid as a public proceeding. “That public proceeding was invalid,” the commenter said, arguing that the board should require the applicant to reapply or hold a new, properly advertised site walk.
Board members and other speakers disagreed about the legal effect of the earlier sidewalk/site walk and whether the planning board was obliged to repeat it. Some members noted the site walk had been advertised and recorded in the minutes; others said repeating the visit — properly advertised and accessible to the public — would be the simplest way to remove controversy. The board agreed to schedule a new, advertised site walk to coincide with the continuation of the public hearing (tentatively at a low tide/start time the board set for early afternoon) and to ask staff to ensure public notice and logistics.
