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Wetlands Case No. 87-WL-0163
Page 4
Three environmental groups, the Chesapeake Wildlife
Heritage, the Committee to Preserve Assateague, and the
Worcester Environmental Trust, opposed the project because
it would create a precedent that would potentially allow other
non-water dependent structures to be built on piers around the
Chesapeake Bay, the coastal bays, and along the ocean front.
They pointed out that this work would probably make future
bulkheading and filling necessary when pilings deteriorate
underneath buildings, and would likely lead to water quality
problems due to shading of the water and possible sewage
spills. Overall it is their position that non-water dependent
development is inappropriate and contrary to the goals of the
Chesapeake Bay restoration program.
The remaining opponents of this project are Baltimore
City residents such as the Waterfront Coalition or business
owners. They also fear that the proposed buildings on the
pier would lead to water quality problems and loss of the
aesthetic views of the Harbor, would damage surrounding
property values, and would establish a precedent for the
approval of future applications.
VIII. FINDINGS OF TEE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES:
The applicant is proposing to build a large condominium
development with a community marina in the Baltimore Harbor
near the intersection of Boston and Aliceanna Streets. The
applicant's representatives stated at public hearings that the
development group is the purchaser of three adjoining
properties; the former Volunteers of America property, the
former Sonat Marine tugboat facility, and a small parcel with
a warehouse owned by the City of Baltimore. It is proposed
that the large old warehouse on the Volunteers' property be
renovated for condominiums while the other buildings on the
three upland properties would be demolished to make way for
a seven-story apartment building and a three-level parking
garage. This garage would also include spaces for proposed
additional housing units on an existing pile-supported pier,
which is the subject of this wetland case. According to the
revised plan, 135 condominium units are proposed, with 107 on
approximately two acres of fastland and 28 units on the pier.
At the time of the original license application (July,
1986) there were three piers on the site, comprising areas of
4,500, 5,600 and 12,000 square feet. The two smaller piers
are badly deteriorated, but the larger one appears to be in
reasonably sound condition. The applicant proposes to
demolish the 5,600 square foot pier, and various other
relieving platforms which encompass 2,371 square feet. A pier
located on the east side of the property was removed in two
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