Petition in Opposition to the Swim and Racquet Club Marina
Provided by Charles Herpen
TO: To the Board of Directors of the Ocean Pines Association (9/23/2004)
It has been observed by reading recent various articles in the local news, that the Board of Directors of the Ocean Pines Association has, without previous consultation or input of concerned residents in and around the area of the Swim and Racquet Park, and its attached marina facilities, to expend a significant amount of money in consideration of substantially increasing docking accommodations, and perhaps the installation of fueling facilities for watercraft, at this location. Although the Board of Directors has not revealed many facts to the residents of Ocean Pines concerning the proposed plan, it has been learned from the news media that the implementation of the planned facilities is well under way and an application for a permit to enable the process is to be made.
It was also noticed by concerned residents, that in an article published in “Ocean City Today”, under date of September 3, 2004, President Dan Stachurski is quoted as saying “that the marina which may hold up to 90 slips is” very much in the early planning stages and that it is too soon for the community to begin voicing concerns. Further, Mr. Stachurski is quoted as saying “the Board of Directors is not going to build something that Ocean Pines doesn’t want”. It occurs to the concerned residents that it was presumptuous and certainly ill-advised on the part of the Board to Directors, to proceed with the project, by spending large amounts of members money, without first obtaining opinions and input from the concerned residents, about the advisability and acceptance of the project.
It is also a challenge to the intelligence and creditability of concerned residents that they should sit by, passively as suggested by Mr. Stachurski, and wait what could very well be an unfavorable outcome in this matter. It should be noted by Mr. Stachurski and other Board Members, that the concerned residents are strongly opposed to any amendment or enlargement of the present marine facilities at the Ocean Pines Swim and Racquet Park, and that they will take such action, including the filing of appropriate court proceedings, should that become necessary in opposition to the contemplated action in furtherance of the enlargement or amendment to the present amenities at the Ocean Pines Swim and Racquet Park.
It is difficult, indeed, for the concerned residents to understand why the Board of Directors would entertain the idea of trampling rough shod over the established rights of property owners in and around the area of the Ocean Pines Swim and Racquet Park to satisfy the desires of a few. Owners of non-waterfront homes, should, at the time of purchase, understand that they are entitled to only such accommodations as are then available, and that it is not the providence of the Board of Directors to provide further facilities for their sole benefit, at the cost and inconvenience of waterfront owners, and other residents in the area of the Ocean Pines Swim and Racquet Park.
The Board of Directors should be reminded of the fact that they were elected to represent the best interests and welfare of all residents of Ocean Pines and not to cater to the special interests of a few who are not only not entitled to special treatment by the Board of Directors, and certainly, under no circumstances are the few entitled to such treatment that would forever change the character of an area of an entire neighborhood. While the Board of Directors may sincerely believe that they are, in this case acting in the best interests of most Ocean Pines residents, it is hoped that, upon reflection, that to proceed with current plans would be to the extreme displeasure, inconvenience and detriment in ways that cannot now be anticipated to the concerned citizens of the area in and around the Ocean Pines Swim and Racquet Park.
Concerned residents hereby, through its appointed Committee Chairman, respectfully request that the Board of Directors will revisit the question of enlargement of docking facilities at the Ocean Pines Swim and Racquet Park, and decide that any furtherance of current plans would be adverse to, and not in the best interest of all current residents in and around the area of Ocean Pines Swim and Racquet Park.
The concerned residents would like to bring to the attention of the Board of Directors of Ocean Pines Association, some of the immediately recognized adverse affects that the project would have on the concerned residents for its consideration, although, in so doing, it must also be recognized that the full negative impact of such a project cannot now be known or anticipated.
We are concerned about the following:
Water pollution that may be caused by the fuel or oil spills. Many small boat owners fuel their vessels in their slips using 5 gallon cans. Occasional spills are almost unavoidable.
It is well known the toxic effect of petroleum products on the marine environment.
Noise Pollution: Presently building contractors are not permitted to start work until after 8 am so as not to disturb residents. It is difficult to imagine that a similar probation would be enforced in an unattended marina that will be used by recreational boaters, many of which start their boat engines earlier than 8 am to go fishing and boating.
Air Pollution: Many of the boats that will use these expanded facilities will have 2 stroke outboard engines. This type of engine requires a gas and oil mixture to operate which results in a higher level of pollutants emitted. Concentrating up to 90 vessels with this type engine would have a negative effect on the environment.
Floating Trash and Debris: The residents that live along the canal going back to and along
Road traffic on
Parking requirements to support a 90-boat marina would have to be increased. Swim meets presently generate large numbers of vehicles that cannot be accommodated in the existing parking area. Short of converting the tennis courts to parking lots, which exchanges one amenity for another, there is very little space to accommodate the required number of parking spaces.
Beach Area: The preliminary plan for the 90 slip docking facility virtually eliminates the small sandy beach area east of the swimming pool. This beach has been used almost every day from early May through September for families with small children, kayakers, sailboaters and windsurfers. Dog owners who exercise their pets use it almost every evening from May to December. We view this beach as a public trust as it has been used by residents for the above mentioned purposes for 20 or more years. A violation of this trust by eliminating the full use of this beach would be particularly onerous.
Boat Traffic: The preliminary plan significantly reduces the width of the right of way boaters will have to enter and leave the canals. The maneuverability of residents across from the proposed marina would also be reduced, especially those with boatlifts that are installed perpendicular to their bulkhead. Boat traffic on weekends during the summer may be such that unsafe boating conditions would occur. There are presently 119 lots, most of which have boats that are on Teal/Newport,
This by no means is an exhaustive list, but is presented to give the Board of Directors of Ocean Pines an idea of the adverse effects of a 90-slip marina on the tranquility and environment of the Swim and
Your consideration of these issues would be appreciated.
Respectfully Submitted:
Swim and
Charles Herpen, Chairperson
Earl Beckwith
Walter Boge
James Bruggy
Lewis Frey
Robert Kerno
James Maloney
William McKay
Jean Richardson
Mario Todaro
Dorothy Todaro
September 23, 2004
Uploaded: 9/28/2004
