$21M West Bay housing plan challenged over mangrove clearing

A plan to build 95 apartments in West Bay has come up against opposition from nearby residents who say clearing existing mangroves could have “catastrophic” consequences.

Developer Jonathan Murphy’s application to the Central Planning Authority describes a $21.1 million housing development with 12 apartment blocks, cabanas, a pool and a gym.

The proposed 6.34-acre site on Willie Farrington Drive consists mostly of tidally flooded mangrove forest and woodland with several small ponds and pools.

According to the Department of Environment, the area is very low-lying, averaging about one foot above mean sea level.

The plans received two objection letters, which both referred to the area of mangroves as a ‘buffer zone’ for neighbouring properties and say at least part of it should be retained.

One objector said the ‘integral area’ has long protected the neighbourhood during hurricanes.

“It should be noted that during Hurricane Ivan, the sea caused damage to homes in the area with this buffer intact,” they wrote.

“lf this buffer is removed, it could be catastrophic for the houses in this area when faced with another hurricane as intense as Ivan.”

‘Wet and swampy’

The second objection letter said the mangroves also offer a level of privacy to nearby homes, prevent erosion from bad weather and helped to preserve property values.

The writer added that the housing is planned on a “very wet and swampy” flood-risk area and said proposed drainage is not sufficient to account for that.

Both objectors expressed concern about the natural habitats of wildlife in the mangrove forest being disturbed during development.

The Department of Environment, in its review of the application, said it features a large amount of hard landscaping and drainage which is likely to be a “significant concern”.

“The low elevation of the site should be considered during the production of a storm water management plan,” it said.

“The level of the site relative to the water table is likely to mean that commonly used drainage systems such as catch basins and deep wells are likely to be much less effective.”

In the plan, the applicant requests a lot-width variance from 100 feet to 87 feet due to the irregular shape of the property.

The proposal will be discussed during the 19 July meeting of the Central Planning Authority and the decision published in the minutes about three weeks later.

Other applications

Also coming up for discussion is a $750,000 expansion of the Cobalt Coast resort on Sea Fan Drive in West Bay.

The plan includes a three-storey extension with a covered pool deck, guest gym with office, games room, owners lounge, and storage.

It also details a new floor layout, relocation and expansion of the bar, an extension to the covered roof, a new lower pool deck, a new office and staff toilet, and renovation and extension of the bathrooms.

Modified plans for Cayman Enterprise City’s $230 million office-and-housing campus in South Sound will be back up for discussion after several adjournments.

As will the National Housing Development Trust’s plan for a 61-lot affordable housing subdivision across 10.6-acres off Osbert Road in West Bay.

The trust has applied for a lot-width variance and possible lot-size variance at the former Apple Blossom housing site, which was damaged during Hurricane Ivan.