Improvements to Spotts Jetty are on the Central Planning Authority’s agenda today. The board is scheduled to consider an application from the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands for the $3.2 million project, which is part of negotiations between the government and China Harbour Engineering Company that also include cruise berthing in George Town and a cruise dock near the Turtle Farm in West Bay.
According to an analysis of the application by the Planning Department, the project comprises a one-storey cruise ship passenger terminal (including a departure security checkpoint, security office, and Customs/Immigration and Department of Tourism help desk), wooden shade trellises with clear acrylic sheeting, a central brick-paved pedestrian courtyard with stamped concrete walkway, 10 vendor cabanas, a drive-thru/park area for taxis and buses, four restroom buildings, an 8-feet chain-link fence with barbwire, a 5-feet high boundary wall with 6-feet high gates, a retaining wall and dock extension.
Setbacks, traffic
In its comments, the Department of Environment stated at the time it reviewed the proposal, no application had yet been made for a coastal works licence for the seaward aspects of the project.
“Until a coastal works application is submitted and the proposed works affecting Crown property have been deemed acceptable by Cabinet, the current planning application is considered to be premature,” according to the Department of Environment’s comments.
As did the Planning Department, the Department of Environment expressed concerns about buildings to be located within 50 feet of the mean high water mark. Specifically, the Department of Environment recommended that two of the restroom buildings be reposition at least 120 feet away from the high water mark.
“Furthermore, any structure located along the 50-foot setback e.g. the Security Office and Customs/Immigration Help Desk will be highly vulnerable to damage and destruction from storms,” according to the Department of Environment’s comments.
The National Roads Authority issued recommendations relating to the width of bus driveways, adding, “The NRA does not want buses stacking onto Shamrock Road causing back-up and delay for motorists”. The Roads Authority requested a six-foot-wide sidewalk along Shamrock Road within the property boundary.
According to the Roads Authority’s comments, “The traffic demand to be generated by the proposed development could not be accurately assessed. However, the impact of the proposed development onto Shamrock Road is considered to be minimal.”
The Water Authority said the plans show four lanes of traffic on Shamrock Road where there are currently three lanes, saying that if an extra lane is planned, construction might impact buried water supply infrastructure.
Public access
In addition to concerns about setbacks, the Planning Department also highlighted potential issues with parking space, the need to use fill to level the site (which varies in elevation from 3 feet to 17 feet above mean sea level), and the need to preserve the public right of way from the road to the beach. The Planning Department noted that planning permission was never sought for the existing 8-feet-high chain-link fence with barbwire.
In response to the Planning Department’s comments, the Port Authority said, “In summary, the status quo regarding public access will be maintained. The public assembly area is currently enclosed with an 8’ security fence and the gates remain open at all times. In the event of an emergency, UK Department Of Security requirements stipulate that the assembly area be shut down and contained and at that time the gates would be closed. The bus collection area is bordered by an eight-feet fence along the road only. For aesthetic reasons we are proposing to upgrade this fence with a wall and picket fence as shown on our details. The sea side portion of the bus area is open for access. Therefore our proposed site plan duplicates the existing conditions.”
The plans designed by OA+D Architects were submitted for planning review 20 December. Residents had until mid-January to submit comments to the Planning Department. According to the application, there were no objections to the plans for Spotts.
George Town MLA Ellio Solomon – ministerial councillor with responsibility for housing, e-government, e-business and the port – is leading negotiations with China Harbour on the project. Mr. Solomon said he aims to have the final framework agreement signed by mid-to-late February, and that work on Spotts will begin soon thereafter and will take eight months.
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