Gloucester Conservation Commission Approves Dock Permit With Float Removed, Clears Riverfront Rebuild

GLOUCESTER — January 8, 2025 — Gloucester Conservation Commission approved a scaled-back seasonal dock at 12 Island Rock Lane and a riverfront redevelopment at 4 River Road during its January 8 meeting. The commission voted 6-0 to approve NOI-0282032 at 12 Island Rock Lane after applicant Larry Whitten agreed to remove a 10-by-20-foot outer float, retaining only an 8-by-24-foot inner float, following concerns from the Division of Marine Fisheries about eelgrass proximity and excessive float square footage; conditions require standoffs, incorporation of DMF comments, and completion of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pre-construction notice review before work begins. Consultant William Manuel secured unanimous approval for the storm-damaged home at 4 River Road by documenting 943 square feet of new riverfront-area impact offset by 1,905 square feet of native plantings, satisfying the required two-to-one mitigation ratio. An unresolved dispute over Special Condition 5 at 139 Winger Sheik Road — which restricts ATV use on a widened beach ramp to mobility-impaired individuals — produced extended debate but no vote, with Member Sargent calling the request to remove the restriction "a bait and switch" and the commission inviting applicant attorney Valerie Moore to return with language limiting ATV use to transporting the applicants' parents.