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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesBOTANY BAY PLAN DOESN'T REFLECT EAST CONCERNS

BOTANY BAY PLAN DOESN'T REFLECT EAST CONCERNS

Dear Source:
Members of the Board of the Environmental Association of St. Thomas – St. John (EAST) were surprised to read that Mr. William Karr, architect on the Botany Bay project, has indicated that he incorporated concerns from EAST and other organizations in revising his site plan for the property. Please allow me the opportunity to make a few facts clear.
– On June 7, 2000, members of staff from the University of the Virgin Islands Research and Public Service component and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, along with an EAST board member, toured the property with Mr. Karr's staff, and Ms. April Newland, a local Realtor. At that time, staff persons from UVI and EAST made recommendations regarding those portions of the property that they thought were amenable to development. At no time did the EAST representative offer a recommendation to the architect's staff.
– There was no site plan available at the June 7, 2000 meeting, but representations were made that the new owners were only considering a low-impact exclusive development consisting of six or seven homes on large parcels. At no time during the site visit did Mr. Karr's staff indicate that a hotel was a possibility. Further, the EAST Board has not had an opportunity to review either the original or the revised site plan. Hence the statement that "changes to the plan, completed last week, came in response to meetings and mini-tours of the property that Karr said he held last year with DPNR, representatives of the Environmental Association of St. Thomas…" is not reflective of any input from EAST.
– Members of the EAST Board and its Issues Committee have been invited to tour the site and review the site plan. After this tour, EAST will make a public statement regarding its position on the proposed development.
Thank you for this opportunity to set the record straight.
Carla Joseph
EAST President

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