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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJAY SPENCE_Bonnybrook Realty Trust _Pier Request for 185 OceanView AvenueFrom: JAY SPENCE <jays42@comcast.net> Sent: Sunday, April 2, 2023 4:03 PM To: Cavanaugh, Kimberly Subject: Bonnybrook Realty Trust :Pier Request for 185 OceanView Avenue Barnstable Conservation Commission, I am writing to voice my opposition to the request for a pier extension at the Leventhal/Bonnybrook property located on 185 OceanView Avenue in Cotuit. As an active and regular boater in Cotuit waters I am very familiar with the already tight conditions found at the Channel located in the area between Loop Beach and the “point” of Sampson’s Island. It is a very busy waterway heavily utilized by all manner of motorboats, sailboats, kayaks, and other private and commercial watercraft. Under the best of conditions it takes careful attention to navigate these crowed and tight waters safely. This challenge is further exacerbated by the large number of swimmers who rightly utilize the waters off Loop and Riley’s public beaches. While I am sympathetic to the petitioner ’s desire to mitigate the loss of deep water at their private dock - I am also mindful of the fact that the property owners are already among the rarest of our community in that they already have access to a functioning dock and a town mooring in the adjacent waters. To further crowd an already stressed public waterway (one of just two that serve the entire body of Cotuit waters and anchorages) so that a private party can have more convenient access to personal watercraft seems to put the well being of a small minority ahead of the rights of the community as a whole. Further problematic is the fact that the recent dredging at the point of Sampson’s - which I believe was at least in part designed to mitigate already existing safety concerns in the Channel - has been largely unsuccessful. It is clear that since that dredging phase was completed, an extensive outgrowth of sand has accumulated and further limited the navigable waters in the immediate area. I am of the opinion that that outgrowth needs to be removed/addressed before it becomes more problematic, but realize that is an issue for another day. In the meantime, adding another 25 feet plus (by definition a dock is designed to accommodate watercraft) of solid structure to this tight waterway will only serve to exacerbate already existing safety concerns. I believe this is at least part of the reason why the HarborMaster ’s Office has expressed opposition to the proposal. In my view, the HarborMaster ’s Office is best suited of all to weigh in on a given proposal’s potential impact on the safe use of public waterways. I respectfully request that the Commission heed the concerns of the public and the HarborMaster ’s office and reject the proposal for a pier extension at this property. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration of my comments. Sincerely, Jay Spence 46 Pine Ridge Road Cotuit, MA 02635 CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the Town of Barnstable! Do not click links, open aachments or reply, unless you recognize the sender's email address and know the content is safe!