HomeMy WebLinkAbout027March 27, 2012
Mr. David Wayne Johnson
Jefferson County Development Department
621 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Re: Pleasant Harbor Marina Site Development
Dear Mr. Johnson:
We have "owned" a slip (actually it is a license to the DNR lease with an original
investment of approximately $40,000) at Pleasant Harbor Marina since 1997. Current plans call
for the road in front of the store to be closed and available to emergency vehicles and marina
vehicles only. Therefore, there will be no direct access to the head of the ramps leading down to
the marina floats. In addition, virtually all longer term parking, i.e. longer than one hour, is to
be moved to a parking lot off Highway 101, approximately one-third of a mile away, to be
serviced by marina shuttles during normal working hours. After hours use would involve some
type of fee to the boater trying to provision his/her boat at those times.
The information we currently have regarding the only binding site plan we are aware of,
does not indicate a requirement to close this access road. We strongly encourage those
responsible for permitting this project to require the road to remain open so that boaters will
have access to the head of the docks 24 hours/day.
Additionally, we have been to numerous marinas and provisioned ours and other boats
and parked our car in a lot adjacent to the marina. We have never been to a marina where
parking was basically "off-site" and shuttles were necessary. Again, we strongly encourage those
responsible for permitting this project to require a reasonable number of on-site parking spots
for those using their boats for a weekend, for example.
Other than inconvenience of the access and parking, another important concern we have
is the loss in value we believe will occur if these changes are made permanent. Since we do
"own" the license, we can sell it to an interested buyer if we choose. Unfortunately, it will be
increasingly difficult to find such a buyer at a reasonable price given the level of inconvenience
involved in provisioning and using the vessel.
Alternatives exist to the proposed plan that would maintain access and parking at
current levels. These alternatives should be investigated further. Clearly, any alternative
should recognize the need to preserve the environment of such a lovely place. We are familiar
with a number of mitigation processes that would preserve that environment .... for not a lot of
money. (As an example, some type of "skimmer" apparatus is passive and would capture
offensive effluents.)
Please consider our request in your deliberations.
Rr7ds and Thank You,
e
Philip M. Smith
l
`yancy J. Smith ~�