Coral Bay Marina Approved by St. John CZM

 

The St. John Coastal Zone Management Committee approved the controversial major permit application for the St. John Marina in Coral Bay at a noon meeting on October 1 at the St. John V.I. Legislature Annex.

The audience of more than 50 residents, predominately Coral Bay residents and opponents of the project, were stunned to silence by the CZM staff report vote and most of the audience rose quietly and left the meeting immediately after the vote.

The CZM staff report recommended the approval of the permit application for the mega-yacht marina and a mooring management program and a related upland development permit application by a unanimous vote of two members of the three-members currently serving on the committee. CZM Committee Chairman Andrew Penn Sr. and member Edmund Roberts found the controversial plan was in keeping with CZM and DPNR regulations.

CZM member Brion Morrisette once again made a point of explaining his position recusing himself from voting but asserting that his attendance was required to prevent the permit from being approved by default if the three-member CZM could not muster a quorum of three.