April 3, 2007 — Julien Harley, who chaired the St. John Coastal Zone Management Committee for about 20 years, has resigned from the committee effective March 31.
Acting CZM Committee Chairman Madeline Sewer made the announcement Tuesday at a meeting called to decide on a request by the Westin Resort and Villas to amend its major CZM permit.
Harley could not be reached for comment.
Sewer said later that Harley told her he felt he had served long enough. "He felt it was a good time to resign," Sewer said. She said his term will expire in September.
Harley also served as St. John administrator until former Gov. Charles Turnbull left office. He retired earlier from the V.I. Fire Service.
Department of Planning and Natural Resources spokesman Jamal Nielsen said he had no information on the resignation.
Julia Watthey, a Government House spokesman, also had no information on who Gov. John deJongh would appoint to replace Harley.
In a half-hour meeting, the four committee members unanimously agreed to allow the Westin to expand its wastewater treatment plant, construct a 1,200-square-foot metal building to be used as a carpentry shop, expand the hotel lobby to allow more room for the sales office, and relocate a sewage treatment system lift station.
The Westin is in the midst of converting rooms in seven of its buildings to time shares. The projects included in the modification are in conjunction with the changeover.
The Westin's architect, Theresa Roberts, told the committee that she'll be before them again to ask for more modifications.
"I'll have to come back to show you the parking arrangement," Roberts said. She said that the Westin currently has 204 parking spaces, but will need 161 more that will go into a parking structure. She said the parking structure design isn't finalized.
Most of the conditions imposed by the committee are routine, but the committee did request that the Westin submit a site plan that includes everything on the property.
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