Ward 5 Councilman Ed Ladouceur and neighborhood residents of Wharf Road were prepared to go a fourth round with Safe Harbor, the company with multiple marinas across the country which was scheduled to appear before the Planning Board Wednesday night, even though it looked like they wouldn’t get their application approved.

At the March 13 meeting Planning Board member Kevin Flynn said Safe Harbor had not gone far enough to protect the residents from encroachment by the marina.  Ladouceur urged residents not to be complacent. He told them to turn out in force for Wednesday’s meeting.

Then last week Safe Harbor withdrew without prejudice its application for a change of zoning from residential to waterfront commercial for lots abutting Safe Harbor Greenwich Bay at the end of Wharf Road and approval to build a 35 foot high 15,000 square foot boat workshop.

In a letter to City Planner Tom Kravitz, attorney for Safe Harbor, Christine E. Dieter writes, “Safe Harbor will submit a new application as applicable to the Planning Board should it decide to proceed with any development of the site. Please contact me if you have any questions or need anything further.”

In preparation to last month’s Planning Board meeting, the Planning Department drafted a board approval of the development that included a number of suggestions submitted by Ladouceur. If built, Ladouceur recommended the workshop be located more towards the center of the site; that proposed conservation areas be rezoned open space; that boat storage be restricted from infringing on Wharf Road; that the marina provide at no cost a 36 foot wide slip for a city fire boat and that the marina include public access allowing for kayak and other small boat launching.

Many of his proposals fell in line with comments made by area residents.

Brandon Main, who bought his house in 2008, spoke with the Beacon following the meeting, which was continued to this month without a vote. He noted the proposed workshop would tower over his home. In addition, he pointed out the workshop would increase marina activity. He said that during the summer activity is focused on the docks and waterfront. In the winter after the boats are hauled for storage it is basically quiet, but with the workshop the yard would become a source of activity year round.

Main recalled the years when family owned boat yard populated Warwick Cove and there was a neighborly feel to the place. People would help one another and try to accommodate their requests. Both marinas on Wharf Road were bought and consolidated by Safe Harbor.  Main recognized that Safe Harbor is a business and would be looking to grow. He noted Brewers that sold to Safe Harbor cleared a lot of land pushing marina operations into the neighborhood.

Regardless of whether Safe Harbor permanently drops its plan, Ladouceur said he expects the company to withdraw from its 10 foot encroachment of Wharf Road and from the use of residential property for its operations.  He also takes issue with what Safe Harbor considers public access to the cove.

“That’s not public access,” he said. “What we have now there now is access if you jump off a pier.”

He said what has happened, “shows how important it is for people to attend these meetings and let their voices be heard. If you want to make change you have to be strong and united.”

He urged taxpayers to attend upcoming budget hearings and speak up.