St. John Tradewinds News Photo by Andrea Milam Bay Isle attorney Robert Messick, center, with Elita Kane, left, testifies on behalf of Grande Bay development at a V.I. Senate Committee of the Whole meeting. Grande Bay Rezone Request Gets Overwhelming Support at Hearing By Andrea Milam St. John Tradewinds The tide has undoubtedly turned for Grande Bay developer Bay Isle Associates, who has faced strong opposition and numerous lawsuits during the years-long construction process of the Cruz Bay luxury condominium development. The developer’s request for re- zoning of its 0.26-acre lot, 3Abc in Cruz Bay, from W-1 to R-4 was met with almost unanimous sup- port from the numerous testifiers who crowded the St. John Legis- lature hall at a Thursday evening, March 4, hearing of the V.I. Sen- ate. The developer is seeking its re- zoning due to proposed changes to Grande Bay’s building E. The building is currently built out as an empty shell. Bay Isle initially hoped the building would contain two dwelling units, as allowed un- der W-1; however, due to financial constraints, the developer now wants to construct six condos in building E — three two-bedrooms, and three one-bedrooms. Bay Isle is also seeking a vari- ance with its rezoning request for the construction of an on-site sun- dry shop. In addition to the shell of building E, an amenities building and pool deck have already been constructed on the 0.26-acre par- cel, which is directly adjacent to Grande Bay parcel 86-3, where the development’s buildings A, B, C and D are located. Bay Isle attorney Robert Mes- sick described the rezoning request as “reasonable,” and the new plan for building E as “compatible” with the neighborhood. More than 10 people testified at the hearing, from island residents, to Bay Isle employees, to Grande Bay owners. Several testified to the complete 180-degree turn- around in the project’s manage- ment since co-manager Elita Kane came on board a year ago. Thomas Hill, who purchased a Grande Bay condo in 2003, was a leader of approximately 20 Grande Bay owners who sued the devel- oper on two separate occasions. Since the change in management, Bay Isle has acted both responsi- bly and honestly, Hill explained at the hearing. “The 32 owners are virtually unanimously very much in sup- port of the rezoning,” said Hill. “It’s the right thing to do for the community of St. John. We want what’s best for St. John, and an empty shell doesn’t accomplish that.” St. John resident Pam Gaffin, the lone testifier who spoke out against the rezoning, urged the Senate not to reward a developer who has not always acted in the best interests of the community. “When is enough enough?” Gaffin said. “When do we send a message to developers that the Vir- gin Islands is not a Banana Repub- lic where you can buy your way around any law? I hope the time is now for the senators here to prove they do not care how much money the developer has, and instead pro- tect the citizens of St. John and the island itself.” St. Johnian Robert O’Connor Jr. urged the senators to ensure re- sponsible developers are welcome on the island, citing the fact that tourism is Love City’s main indus- try. “We need to embrace this type of development,” said O’Connor. “When we get more rooms on St. Continued on Page 16 St. John Tradewinds, March 8-14, 2010 3 ‘*Tentative”’ Post Office Site Rezoning Faces No Opposition at Hearing By Andrea Milam St. John Tradewinds The packed St. John Legislature hall remained silent except for one lone voice of support at the Thurs- day evening, March 4, VI. Sen- ate hearing for the rezoning of a planned St. John post office site. The Boynes family is seeking to have its 7,800 square foot par- cel, located at 131 Estate Contant and Enighed, rezoned from R-4 to B-2 for the construction of a three- story building, with space to be leased to the U.S. Postal Service for a new post office for St. John. The property’s current zon- ing does not meet the VI. Code requirement that a lot be at least 15,000 square feet for the con- struction of a post office in an R-4 zoned area. The Boynes family- owned piece of land falls short by nearly half. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources, which hosted its own hearing on the matter in October 2009, recommended that the Legislature approve the rezon- ing, provided current walls which are located on two of the parcel’s borders remain in place as a buffer 2010 RAIN DATA at Trunk Bay February Rainfall 0.63 inches Average February Rainfall 2.30 Inches Total YTD Rainfall 3.60 Inches Average YTD Rainfall 5.47 Inches to neighboring properties. Senator at Large Craig Barshinger expressed hesitation at rezoning the parcel. “When we change the zoning, we open up a whole new set of possibilities,” said Barshinger. “I don’t think the Legislature has any business rezoning properties.” The senator at large would have preferred a zoning variance, he explained, which does not change the overall zoning of a property; however, he said he would sup- port the rezoning provided all the property’s neighbors have been apprised of the situation. DPNR Director of Comprehen- sive and Coastal Zone Planning Marjorie Emanuel confirmed that all neighboring property owners had been contacted regarding the rezoning. The Legislative hearing was just one step of a years-long process the Boynes family has endured in order to reach its goal of con- structing the new post office build- ing. The USPS initially signed a lease with the Boynes family in May 2007, but let the lease lapse Continued on Page 16 INDEX Business Directory Church Schedules Classified Ads Community Calendar Crossword Puzzle Ferry Schedules Historical Bits & Pieces Letters Police Log Real Estate NEXT DEADLINE Thursday, March 11% NEWS LINE 340-776-6496 E-MAIL editor @tradewinds.vi