Waterfront rentals get green light from staff and planning commission

New Town Hearing Examiner David Lowell has begun his tenure reviewing a proposed waterfront project that enjoys a strong current of local support.

Town Planner Michael Davolio and planning commissioners have endorsed applications by Chip and Janie Hall for shoreline development and conditional use permits to construct a mixed-use building on First Street just north of the Channel Lodge.

The Halls plan to build a 5,322 square-foot water-dependent structure on a private parking lot that provides moorage.

“The project,” Davolio said in a detailed staff report provided to commissioners at their Zo...