September 28, 2020

Planning Board Town of Eastham Eastham, MA 02642

We write to you as a group of property owners to express concerns related to the proposed Harbormaster Building and future phases of Rock Harbor development.

We agree that Rock Harbor is an appropriate location for the Harbormaster building and support a project that is in keeping with the scope of the May 7, 2018 Annual Town Warrant public vote. This warrant described a “small Harbormaster building”.

We do not however support the structure or the site that was presented by Kuth Ranieri Architects at the September 14, 2020 public meeting. The proposal presents a building design that includes 615 square feet of enclosed space, plus 1363 square feet of decks and ramps, totaling 1,978 square feet. The design also includes 1,300 square feet of open storage.

The Harbormaster’s building has morphed from the initially proposed functional office space into a year-round building with viewing platforms, rinse stations, picnic tables, and a demountable bandshell pavilion. The proposed building overwhelms the landscape, conflicts with the surrounding environment, and can in no way be justified as office space required for the harbormaster.

The proposed location for the building is in an AE flood plain with a BFE of 14′ and typical ground elevations of only 8′. The area regularly floods at higher tides (see attached photos). We question the logic of investing in a building project in this tenuous location. Finally, the proposed development is not consistent with the Harbor’s designation as a Priority Heritage Landscape by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

We request that any design, and/or intended use, that is substantively different from what was described in the Town warrant, and was the subject of a Proposition 2-1/2 override, be put to public vote.

We have strong concerns about what impact a structure of this type, and the expanded use of this area, will have on the environment, and we intend to hire environmental consultants to assist us with these concerns.

We request that the local boating community and the Massachusetts’ Director of Fish and Game, among other State and county agencies, be well-informed about this project and we request that they provide public feedback to ensure that this project does not interfere with their needs. The Town of Orleans is directly impacted by the Rock Harbor project. We believe that it is our duty as good neighbors to inform and solicit input from Orleans. This could significantly reduce the potential for lawsuits or other lengthy opposition moving forward.

Dyer Prince Road, a Priority Landscape, serves as the sole access to the beach, the harbor and the homes located on both Dyer Prince and Keene Way. Pedestrians, bicycles, cars, trucks, and boat trailers all vie for space on a relatively narrow road. The road regularly floods at high tide and is impassible (see attached photos). Before any approvals are granted, we request that a traffic study be done to determine the impact of any development on the road and on the life safety of both visitors to the harbor and the residents who must use the road.

In closing, we value the work and responsibility of the Eastham Planning Board. We ask that the Board, as the special permit granting authority, require reports that address carrying capacity, environmental impact, cost benefit analysis, economic impact analysis, and traffic analysis for the Rock Harbor Harbormaster Building. We believe these reports must consider subsequent proposed phases for additional development at Rock Harbor. Prior to making any decisions on the Harbormaster Building case, these reports should be provided to the Board and made available to the public. We believe that these comprehensive assessments for all phases of the Rock Harbor development are necessary for the Board to properly evaluate the criteria for approvals regarding a harbormaster building.

Respectfully,

The letter was published by the Cape Codder on Sept 25, 2020.

To the Editor:
I’m recalling, as I walked Coast Guard Beach in the “off season”, I would feel a sense of gratitude for those who had the vision and the stamina to protect this coastline. I now, am walking in the footsteps of the brave Coastguard of old and the words of Henry Beston are just as true today.

It may be a leap to our little Rock Harbor, but this is not about size. Eastham Rock Harbor offers that “sense of place”.

In 1644, seven families settled in this area. “Using Plimouth’s shallop and longboat, the work parties would shuttle across Cape Cod Bay to Rock Harbor transporting building materials, equipment, and furnishings” (1)

In the 1700’s and early 1800’s, Rock Harbor was an important port, a packet landing for vessels from Plymouth and Boston,as well as Salem , Maine, and the Canadian Maritime provinces.(2)

Eastham Rock Harbor is a special place. Though small, it gives us this history. Pleasure boats have replaced longboats. Rich marsh life, tidal flats. and the Rock for which the Harbor is named are here. This is a place for walking, sitting and reflecting. It is “as it was”. It offers an unspoiled vista which becomes rarer. It is “Old Cape Cod”

We must resist placing structures which intrude upon this “sense of place”. I find the plan for the harbormaster’s new office not suited for Rock Harbor.

1. “Where Sea and History Meet” Orleans Bicentennial” 1997
2. Nomination form National Register of Historic Places 10/2000

Gail Hoffman
Eastham

Eastham’s hidden gem deserves to be protected, Cape Cod Times
Joyce Donovan
Sept 25, 2020

This column was originally submitted as a letter to the Eastham Select Board.

I recently viewed the Sept. 14 Select Board meeting and I share the same concerns as neighbors who are working diligently to keep Rock Harbor the beautiful, natural resource that it is. It speaks Cape Cod, it is Cape Cod.

My husband, Bill, and I just recently became aware of this comprehensive proposed project of the harbormaster building. In as much as we realize the need for a new home for the harbormaster and the town’s environmental services staff, this proposal does not come close to the original plan voted on at the 2018 town meeting. The rendering of the building, in my opinion, does not characterize the history of Cape Cod design. The building and walkways are not aesthetic and are not styled after one of the most beloved art designs in New England.

I think if more Eastham residents and property owners were privy to the schematic design of the building, they would want to go back to the drawing board.

We have owned property on Bridge Road for close to 40 years and have rented a boat slip in Eastham Rock Harbor for 20 of those. We appreciate the simplistic, natural beauty that the harbor provides. As boat slip renters, we see Rock Harbor being utilized June through September by many Eastham residents, not only the 50 slip users. In our experience, the harbor is always busy and the traffic flow pattern presented in the proposed plan is neither logical nor practical. The rinse stations would be better utilized near the beach! I question how the harbormaster staff is going to monitor increased foot traffic that a “destination venue” may create after hours. On occasion during holidays, we have had unwelcome visitors walking on, sitting on and leaving trash on our boat.

Hopefully, this beautiful natural resource will keep the distinction of being Eastham’s “hidden gem!” I will share my opinions with the Select Board and town administrator.