Watch Hill, We Have A Problem

[Linesider82]

I'd like to see if there was an actual survey preformed for this work. How else would anyone know where the boundaries are. Based on the money, I would think they did do a survey and specific regulations have been met. The town not requiring a permit smells like low tide, but I am not familiar with Westerly's planing and zoning regulations or Rhode Islands coastal laws. Based on a public right of way being an abutting property, the town in my opinion should have issued a permit so that the "Site Plans" were available to the public since they have an express interest in that piece of land, which dates further back then Ms. Swift's existence. Oh well, the guards have been nice to me, Taylor's presence adds humor, and we'll just have to fish some new structure... or get in trouble-ouble-ouble.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by Linesider82

I'd like to see if there was an actual survey preformed for this work.

You really think there wasn't?

There was a permit, granted by CRMC. The town permit wasn't needed...

[Linesider82]

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

You really think there wasn't?

There was a permit, granted by CRMC. The town permit wasn't needed...

An engineer can go to the town clerk's office and find a survey map on record, then make a plan showing proposed work, which would allow for permits to be obtained. My question would be to see if the property's actual boundary was marked out on the ground by a surveyor. If it has been, I don't see why people are complaining, and from the "news" articles I've read there is no mention of the boundary being marked out. Again, I am not familiar with Rhode Island's boundary laws, or the town of Westerly's codes, setback lines, etc. So I am only speaking from what I know about properties and typical rules/limitations for improvements. I also think if it wasn't a celebrity this likely wouldn't be much of a story.

[DZ]

After Hurricane Sandy I think the rules for refurbishing shorelines were "eased" for lack of a better word because time was of the essence. Wait times for approval were shortened as areas that needed reinforcement were time critical. Just look how quick the Matunuck, Block island, and Sachuest Point projects were approved - that process normally would have taken years. This project as Bryan mentioned was approved by CRMC and most likely had a public hearing or two when objections could have been raised.

[JohnR]

As much as I feel this does (more accurately did) not pass the smell test, it sounds like this was not what we originally thought - a Celebrity circumvention of the rules and our access. The initial reporting was borderline but much of what I have seen doesn't promote foul play.

It may not be what we would all like but it does not seem to be bad either. If those rocks the excavators are grabbing are the fallen riprap from the previous state of seawall then this is not unreasonable.

We will need to challenge access where it is hindered but this seawall recovery does not seem to be a negative thing.

[lurch]

Anyone with twitter? If this house is owned by Taylor Swift and she is the most charitable...maybe someone can tweet her the link to the article and the access concerns maybe she will respond. I believe her twitter handle is "taylorswift13"

[Gloucester2]

Not sure it is any of the articles posted here but I read someone from CRMC defending the work - specifically the movement of rocks that were in the water back onto the seawall - which was not contemplated in the original plans - they did that at the request of CMRC - I agree with JohnR seems legit . . . access issues aside.