Egg Harbor Marina gets OK

The revised Egg Harbor marina reconstruction plan received approval from the Wisconsin Division of Hearings and Appeals (DHA) Nov. 26, clearing the path for the embattled proposal to move forward.

The $7.9 million project originally received approval by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in July, but complaints filed by two neighboring property owners stalled progress in August.

The DNR determined that objections filed by Steve Schaefer on behalf of the Peninsula Shores Condominium Association and by Bonnie C. Cady about the process through which the permits were doled out had merit. Work on the breakwater, originally slated to begin in October, was postponed until the DHA ruled on the complaints.

After a hearing Oct. 28, the village scaled the project back slightly so it would not intrude upon the riparian rights of Peninsula Shores, and the DNR ultimately decided to re-issue the necessary permits. Peninsula Shores dropped its objection after the plan was changed, but Ms. Cady did not.

“There is no question that the project will have some minimal detrimental impact to the view to the south from Ms. Cady’s property,” the final DHA decision said. But because of the greater public access and water quality improvements the reconstruction would bring, the “minimal impact to Ms. Cady’s view is not sufficient to deny the project.”

However, the playing field has shifted since the village board originally approved the project last summer. Voters approved a ballot measure Nov. 4, which requires the village to get voter approval through referendum of any capitol improvement project of $1 million or more. The marina reconstruction is now subject to that law, and the proposal will appear on the Feb. 17 primary ballot.

Village President Nancy Fisher said a public hearing will be held Wednesday, Jan. 21 at the Bertschinger Center in Egg Harbor at 6 pm. The hearing will be videotaped, with copies made available at the library and on the village Web site so those who can’t make it to the meeting or who are out of town can get informed.

“It’s not the most advantageous time of the year for everyone, so we want to provide the opportunity to get all of the information out,” Fisher said.

The hearing will feature a full presentation on the revised layout, and more concrete numbers from Ehlers and Associates to give a very clear understanding of what the tax impact will be, Fisher explained. A letter will be going out with the village tax bills about the marina as well.

In November the village ordered the existing breakwater, constructed in 1969, closed to public access due to the deterioration of ballast stone and lack of stability of the crib structure.

The village said in a press release that there are concerns that winter storms and winds will lead to further deterioration and safety hazards. The village will have to decide next spring whether to re-evaluate the situation or keep the facility closed.

The proposed breakwater and marina would serve as a harbor of refuge for Door County, providing additional safety for boaters. The Wisconsin Waterways Commission awarded the village a grant of $1,185,000 in July to help pay for the new marina.

If construction starts by July of 2009, village officials believe the new marina could be fully operational for the 2010 boating season.

For more information about the Egg Harbor Marina reconstruction, visit http://www.villageofeggharbor.org.