June 21, 2007 — Citing various environmental and ecological concerns, members of the Coastal Zone Management Committee voted unanimously earlier this week to deny plans for the construction of a high-end housing community on Great St. James Island.
Detailed within a lengthy CZM permit application, the plans included the building of 53 individual home units, priced at about $750,000 apiece. The documents state that the proposed project would have spanned approximately 163 acres, with each house sitting on three acres of land. (See "Environmental and Historic-Preservation Concerns Surround Proposed Great St. James Island Development.")
In denying the application, committee members cited such concerns as an increase in soil erosion and the disruption of local plant and animal life. Over the past month, a variety of residents and community groups have spoken out against the development, saying that the project would have detrimental effects to the island's pristine land and water communities. Development plans indicate that Great St. James is home to certain indigenous species, such as the V.I. tree boa, and also serves as a nesting ground for the endangered green sea turtle.
CZM documents also describe the island as a marine sanctuary, which includes six natural salt ponds, along with a diverse community of corals and other marine life.
Studies of the proposed development area also indicate the island's terrestrial and marine ecosystems have "flourished" because of the lack of activity in the area.
Representatives from agencies such as the State Historic Preservation Office have also called for the project's developers to preserve some of the island's archaeological treasures, such as the remains of Great St. James Village, a few grave sites, cart paths and a well located at Christmas Cove on the southwest side of the island.
Community members brought these concerns to the project's designer, William Karr, during a public CZM committee hearing held late last month. At the time, Karr explained that much of the historical village would be preserved, and would remain accessible to both the island's inhabitants and other residents of the Virgin Islands. Methods for controlling soil erosion and runoff would also be implemented, he said, including the installation of grass-seeded roadways designed to absorb up to 10 inches of water in a 24-hour period. (See "Residents Gather to Address Potential 'Tragedy' on Great St. James.")
Still, residents continued to oppose the development, stating that the construction of the housing community could also negatively impact economic-development activities within the territory and ultimately disrupt one of the last "untouched gems" of the Caribbean.
In a detailed 11-page report sent out earlier this week to the CZM Committee, staff members within the CZM Division of the Department and Planning and Natural Resources seemed to concur with the public's concerns. The findings and conclusions included in the report state, among other things, that the proposed development:
— will eliminate existing vegetation and marine life in the area as new roadways are constructed to connect the homes. (The report also says that soil runoff on some of the island's steeper slopes will increase once trees and other plants are cut down to make space for the new roads.);
— does not plans to provide sufficient access to the island for residents and public agencies. (The report also says that a larger access dock will have to be constructed if the homes are built in the future.);
— does not include specific road plans, or information detailing whether the proposed housing units will have access to public utilities or will be self-sustaining; and
— has not received the approval of the state Historic Preservation Office.
Portions of the report were read during a recent CZM Committee hearing held on St. Thomas. After the findings were read, votes to deny the permit were cast by committee members Winston Adams, Fern LaBorde, Henry Harrigan, Austin "Babe" Monsanto and Peggy Simmonds.
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